I use a lot of vanilla extract in my kitchen, and while I have a preferred brand, I often make my own. Homemade vanilla extract is simply the flavor of vanilla beans—the compound vanillin—extracted into an alcohol solution. With a bottle of vodka and several fresh vanilla beans, you can create a rich, aromatic extract at home.
I describe my approach on the Craftsy blog so you can learn how to make homemade vanilla extract yourself. The method is straightforward, but it does require patience: the alcohol needs time to draw the flavors from the beans. For best and faster results, choose high-quality, plump vanilla beans. Beans that have dried out will still work, but the extraction takes longer. To keep beans fresh, store them in an airtight container to prevent drying.
After the extract has developed, use it just like any store-bought vanilla in baking and cooking. It also makes a thoughtful homemade gift—bottle it attractively for friends and family during the holidays.