10. Vanilla Bean
Vanilla extract is essential for many baked goods and is the most common way people use vanilla today. When making your DIY vanilla extract you can use different kinds of vanilla and different ratios of alcohol to change up the variates you have available. Mexican, Tahitian, Indonesian, and Madagascan vanilla beans are all great for making extract because of their intense flavor. All you need to make a good extract is three vanilla beans per 4 oz container and some vodka.
Make sure your beans are plump and not dried up or the beans in the vanilla won’t be strong enough. Cut the beans in half and put three whole into each 4oz mason jar and pour the premium vodka over them until fully submerged. The key now is to wait, it’ll take about 8-10 weeks to fully become a flavorful extract. Making this yourself will save you money and ensure that you’re using the best products available.