Finishing Up the Vanilla

Back in June I began the process of making my own vanilla.  You can read about it here.  You can also see where I got my recipe from here.  Her story is pretty funny!

Anyway, after six months and a few turns of the jar, the vanilla is done!

I poured it up this week and the longest part of this whole process was straining it out.  It took a good while to get it done.  But then I just poured it in my pretty little bottles and stuck on my labels. 

I wanted to make them pretty since I am giving a few as gifts, but you can use any bottle you have.  I do recommend amber color since it is supposed to keep a better flavor longer.  I cannot emphasize enough how easy this was and how delicious the vanilla tastes in the things I have made! 

As far as cost goes, this is not much cheaper.  It comes out to be $.03 per ounce cheaper than what I would pay for pure vanilla from our local warehouse. But I do think this is more flavorful and it adds a richness to baked goods that the store-bought stuff doesn't have. That also could just be me being a little biased since I made this. But not only does the taste make it worthwhile, but the fact that I made it myself just makes me happy!