Avoiding alcohol, but want an easy way to use pure vanilla in recipes? This non-alcoholic vanilla extract is simple to make and is the perfect alternative to alcohol-based extracts.
Cut the vanilla beans lengthwise to expose the inner seeds.
Place the sliced beans into a glass container.Use at least 5 vanilla beans for every 8 fluid ounces (240ml) of glycerin.
Add the glycerin to the bottle, fully covering the vanilla beans, and shake the bottle.
Store the bottle out of the sunlight. Shake the bottle occasionally to help disperse the vanilla flavor better throughout. The vanilla glycerite will progressively darken and take on a stronger vanilla flavour. It will be "ready" for giving as gifts in around 2 months, but will improve with time.
As you use the extract, you can top it off with a little more glycerin to get more from your vanilla beans.
Notes
Use "extract grade" vanilla beans to save money.Madagascar (bourbon) vanilla beans provide a more classic vanilla flavor. Tahitian vanilla beans provide a more exotic tropical flavor. You can reduce the amount of glycerin used (and the sweetness slightly) by combining the glycerin with filtered water. Try using 12 fluid ounces of glycerin and 4 fluid ounces of water. (3 parts glycerin to 1 part water.)