A friend of mine got me into making my own Vanilla extract this summer. Vanilla extract is so yummy and can be used in tons of recipes so I wanted to try it. Buying those tiny bottle of extract in the grocery are very expensive. I made a HUGE bottle for under $25.00 and it will most likely last me it least 5 years or more.
First you need to get some vanilla beans which I found very affordable on Amazon.com If you hover over the vanilla beans text it will take you to the product.
Then you need a bottle of Vodka. I bought the cheapest I could find.
Then take a knife and cut the vanilla bean down it’s long side. Don’t cut them in half but enough to where they just open up. They smell real good while you are doing this part.
Drop all 10 beans in the Vodka bottle 
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Now here is the not so fun part…wait 6 months! Shake it only once per week. I picked every Sunday. You don’t have to shake it hard, just simply tip it over a couple times will do.
We tried to use it after about 4 months and then 5 months and it tasted good but that 6 month gives it the best taste and you can leave it for pretty much…ever. It won’t go bad and the taste just get’s better. The longer it sits, the better the taste and the less you have to use.
This bottle will last me for a real long time. Go ahead and pour some in a small vanilla bottle if you want. Give it away to friends or family. My 6 months is up tomorrow so Here is what it looks like now! 
It smells and tastes really good!
Go ahead and try it and then come back and let me know how it went!!!
Tawna
Yay! I also use Beanilla’s vanilla beans. They are absolutely the best.
Yes they are! I used this in the last cake I baked, in the butter cream frosting and yummy!!!