Step 6: Time to Use My Homemade Vanilla Extract

Step 6: Time to Use My Homemade Vanilla Extract

You have waited for months or even years, and it's now time to begin using your vanilla extract. But what if you still don't love the taste? What if you started before you found VanillaPura and, like many others, you found that you didn't begin with enough vanilla beans, or the right kind of alcohol. Don't despair, we can help with the tips below. 

And if your extract is ready, what do you do with your "spent" vanilla beans? Please don't throw them out! There are several uses outlined here. 

Time To Use My Vanilla Extract & Uses for Spent Vanilla Beans:

  1. How to taste test my vanilla extract to know if it's ready.
  2. Troubleshooting - Can I fix my extract if it doesn't smell or taste right?
  3. Should I use oak blocks in my extracts? 
  4. Can I use my vanilla beans in a second extract?
  5. Mother Jar Time! How do I use my "spent beans" to start one?
  6. Meet our extract-making experts on our Wall of Fame
  7. Vanilla Paste Recipe (Including pods)
  8. Vanilla Paste Recipe - No pods, caviar only.
  9. Vanilla Sugar Recipe
  10. Vanilla Powder Recipe
  11. Vanilla Salt Recipe

Go Back to Step 5: The Long Wait For Extracts to Age

Visit our comprehensive extract making guide center for more free extract making tools designed from real trial-and-error by real people making spectacular extracts at home. 

— VanillaPura Pro
Taggué: baking tips DIY vanilla homemade baking homemade vanilla extract vanilla extract uses vanilla flavor vanilla recipes
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Commentaires

Hi Susan! Wow, you’re all the way over in Scotland, that’s fabulous!

We’ve all been there wondering where to start! You can absolutely pop the vanilla beans straight into the vodka, don’t wash them first, and given the percentage of alcohol you don’t need to sterilize the jars, just make sure that the jars are washed and clean.

You can read all about making your first homemade vanilla extract here:
https://www.vanillapura.com/blogs/extract-recipes/diy-homemade-vanilla-extract-recipe

Also, if you’re on Facebook we have a community of extract makers who are always ready to help and answer any questions you may have. The group is called “Making Vanilla Extract by VanillaPura”

Or feel free to ask them here too :-) Happy Extracting!

— VanillaPura Pro

Hello from Scotland! I’m making vanilla extract for the first time. Can I just pop the beans into the vodka bottle? Do I need to wask the beans first? If using jars, do I need to sterilise them first and if so, how do I do this? I’ve had ny ingredients for a month and a bit scared to start!

Thank you!

— Liz Paton

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