Every year as the air turns crisp and the evenings arrive a little sooner, I like to tuck away a few bottles of something special: homemade vanilla extract. It’s simple, cozy, and makes the loveliest little gift for holiday baking or just because moments.

Why I Love Making It

It’s one of those recipes that asks very little, just patience, and rewards you tenfold. You only need a few ingredients, and the result is rich, fragrant, and better than anything store bought.

The best part? You can leave the vanilla bean in the bottle when gifting, it keeps infusing and looks beautiful!

If you make it now (in July or August), it’ll be perfectly infused by the holidays! Ready to gift, bake with, or add to a little homemade bundle of cheer.

I use these 4 oz amber bottles from Amazon. They come with funnels and labels and are perfect for gifting! You can find them here.

And I love these Organic Madagascar vanilla beans…they’re soft, fragrant, and ideal for infusing. You can find them here.

The Recipe

You’ll need:

• 2–3 whole vanilla beans
• 4 oz vodka (or bourbon for a warmer, deeper flavor)
• A clean 4 oz glass bottle
• A little time and love

👉 Full recipe and printable card below!

A Few Tips:

– Slice the beans lengthwise to let the seeds mingle with the alcohol.
– If the beans are too long, bend or cut them to fit.
– Shake once a week to help the flavors develop.
– Let it steep for 6–8 weeks before using (or gifting).

You can tuck it into a gift basket, pair it with a batch of homemade cookies, or keep one in your pantry for cozy baking days. It’s simple, and feels extra special because you made it.

I like to tie a velvet bow around the top when I gift mine, just a little something to make it feel extra sweet.

With warmest wishes,
Autumn

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