You can make your own Vanilla Essence easily at home. All you need is a small bottle or glass jar, some vodka and a vanilla pod.
It also makes a good gift; the flavour seems much better than an artifical flavoured one from the shops.
I made mine using a mini vodka bottle from Ikea! You split the vanilla pod lengthways put it in the vodka to infuse (make sure the pod/beans are completely immersed in the vodka), seal the bottle/jar tightly then put it in a cool, dark place for 4 to 6 months - so start now for Christmas gifts!!
You would use roughly three quarters of a cup of vodka to one vanilla pod. The longer you leave it, the stronger it will be. Some people remove the pod/beans and re-use them, but I have left the vanilla pod in the flavoured vodka with no problems.
Now remember this is meant to be for flavouring your cakes etc not for drinking neat, or have I just invented a new vodka flavour?
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