Saturday, July 05, 2008

vanilla (week 8)

Well, it has been 8 weeks since I started making my own vanilla extract.

Let me tell you, it works. After 8 weeks, it smells like vanilla extract.

I think I put in about 10 pods and used a bottle and a half of vodka.

I actually had to use some of the vanilla extract the other week when I was making my carrot cupcakes.

I re-filled my empty vanilla extract bottle with some of the "new" vanilla extract. I didn't strain the liquid, just funneled it in.

Can't wait to start using this extract in baking.

If you can get your hands on some pods and some vodka, you should really try this.

16 comments:

genkitummy said...

kat-
that is soooo cool!
i should have used my vodka for that. instead i tried to make a lychee-infused vodka. i think making vanilla extract would have been a better choice.

K and S said...

Lychee infused vodka sounds awesome, Genkitummy! You should try making vanilla extract next :)

Take care.
Kat

Anonymous said...

Hi Kat, Yippee...I knew it was going to be great. The one I have is about 8 years old and still great. I just added more vodka. Nothing like that real vanilla smell. so fun yeah ?

Hows about a toast ?

Happy Fourth of July !
I was at shirokiyas for a show and passed by all the tents and crowds getting ready for tonites fireworks

K and S said...

Wow 8 years old, that is wonderful, Shar!

Happy 4th!

Take care.
Kat

Anonymous said...

Oooh! Thanks for sharing this. I must try it. Now I just need to track down some vanilla pods.

Anonymous said...

That's great, I'm so glad to hear it worked out! :)

K and S said...

I hope you can get some vanilla, Myra, it is worth trying :)

Thanks Lori :)

Take care you two.
Kat

Deb in Hawaii said...

I have infused vodka with pineapple (trying to recreate the Pineapple Martini at Alan Wong's!) and with blackberries but never thought of making extract--it sounds wonderful!

K and S said...

Wow pineapple infused vodka, Deb, that sounds good! The martini also sounds good :) I hope you try making extract, it is so easy!

Take care.
Kat

Barbara said...

I'll be making this too Kat. After catching up on your posts I'm craving matcha cake.

K and S said...

Can't wait to see them both, Barbara :)

Take care.
Kat

Rowena said...

Now that you've posted the positive results, I think I'll make some myself! 10 pods, a bottle and a half of vodka...here we go.

K and S said...

Oh, and keep it in a dark place, Rowena :) Can't wait to see the results.

Take care.
Kat

p.s. everytime you use a pod for something, throw it into your extract.

Brilynn said...

I make my own vanilla too, it's great isn't it!?

Anonymous said...

For a second I misread the part about you using it in baking and thought you wrote "bathing", and I thought wow, what a great idea... wonder if it's good for your skin? Anywho, I bet your extract would make amazing ice cream!

K and S said...

Yes it is, Brilynn :)

Thanks Stephine :) bathing with it may be nice too!

Take care you two.
Kat