Homemade Vanilla Extract and Honey Butter. These are two of my very favorite food gifts!
Holiday food gifts are always welcome. Especially when the food gifts are ones that everyone loves.
![Homemade Vanilla Extract and Honey Butter. Two fantastic, easy-to-make holiday food gifts. [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Homemade-Vanilla-Extract-and-Honey-Butter-Holiday-Food-Gifts.jpg "Homemade Vanilla Extract and Honey Butter. Two fantastic, easy-to-make holiday food gifts. [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]")
Homemade Vanilla Extract
My very favorite holiday food gift to make is Homemade Vanilla Extract. Homemade vanilla is so easy to make and wonderful for baking and other cooking.
![Homemade Vanilla Extract ready to give. A very special holiday food gift that's easy to make and will have the recipient thinking of you all year long! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Homemade-Vanilla-Extract-Ready-to-Give-Photo.jpg "Homemade Vanilla Extract ready to give. A very special holiday food gift that's easy to make and will have the recipient thinking of you all year long! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]")
It’s also very economical for the avid cook. It’s a favorite of my friends and family.
I usually give my homemade vanilla extract every 2 years, because most folks don’t go through a bottle this size in a year’s time.
By the way, I have to confess that I love that all the recipients of my vanilla extract will think of me kindly every time they use it.
Family and friends love this gift so much that they even let me know when they need a new bottle! That makes my holiday gift planning even easier, of course.
![Homemade Vanilla Extract ready to give. A very special holiday food gift that's easy to make and will have the recipient thinking of you all year long! [from GlutenFreeEasily.com]](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Edible-Gifts-071.jpg "Homemade Vanilla Extract (on Day One, before the vanilla has been extracted)")
Homemade Vanilla Extract (on Day One, before the vanilla has been extracted)
For gift wrapping, attach your label and a decorative bow/ribbon. “Curly” ribbon is great for the neck of the bottle.
You can also easily attach a little gift tag. Gift tags are easy to make from old Christmas cards by cutting out an image that you like that is the right size for the gift, punching a hole at the top (in a place that won’t ruin the image), and then running the curling ribbon through the hole before you tie and curl the ribbon with scissors.
![Homemade Vanilla Extract Becoming Extract. Two approaches to making vanilla extract are shown. [from GlutenFreeEasily.com] (photo)](https://glutenfreeeasily.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/Homemade-Vanilla-Extract-Brewing-in-the-Window.jpg)
Homemade Vanilla Extract (Shown on Window Sill for Photos Only, Store in Cool Dark Place)
Homemade Vanilla Extract Recipe
Homemade Vanilla Extract
It's very easy to make homemade vanilla extract and also very economical. Homemade vanilla extract also makes a wonderful gift.
Ingredients
- Pint of vodka (or rum, or another liquor of your choice; some folks like brandy and cognac, but I prefer the more neutral-flavored vodka)
- Two vanilla beans
Instructions
- Soak label off vodka bottle by submerging bottle in water (up to top of label) for a few hours.
- Either cut vanilla beans into 1-inch pieces or split/cut in the middle using a knife, but do NOT cut all the way through so that the bean separates into two pieces. See photo below for both methods. I prefer the splitting method because I think the beans looks nicer in the bottle this way.
- Add vanilla beans to bottle of vodka. (If the bottle if filled to the top with vodka, you'll want to remove some of that so that the vodka doesn't overflow when the vanilla beans are added.
- Shake or turn every few days. Keep in a cool, dark cabinet for at least a month, preferably longer..
Notes
I don’t usually buy my vanilla beans from the grocery store because they are not usually high quality at my grocery store and they are typically more costly. Madagascar vanilla beans are popular. I’ve usually bought the Tahitian ones though (that actually come from Papua New Guinea now it seems). I’ve gotten my vanilla beans through Penzey’s, The Spice House, and Amazon.
You can save money by buying a large bottle of vodka, using recycled bottles, and ordering your vanilla beans online in larger quantities. Just be sure if using recycled bottles that they allow for easy pouring, are a similar size to pints, and that they don’t retain a strong smell (i.e., don’t use a jar that formerly contained pizza sauce).
I read one opinion that unless you use six vanilla beans per cup of alcohol, you are making vanilla-flavored alcohol. Well, I’ve been using this ratio for years and have been happy with the results.
The vanilla doesn't have to be ready for use when you give it as a gift. Recipients usually love watching the vanilla get extracted and already have vanilla extract on hand that they can use until your gift is ready.
I just made the bottle of vanilla extract shown in the first photo so no extraction has taken place yet. In a very short time, the extraction process will be evident as the vodka begins to turn amber.
You can see the extraction happening in the second photo. With those bottles, I used more beans that I usually do because I wanted to use all the beans that I had immediately. I also used both approaches to see which approach extracted the vanilla more quickly.
For the two bottles on the left, I cut the beans through the center, but did not split them apart completely. For the bottle on the right, I cut the vanilla beans into 1-inch sections. As you can see, the bottles on the left are becoming vanilla much more quickly. So if you need your vanilla extract sooner rather than later, use the approach where you split the bean in the middle, but not from end to end.
Homemade Honey Butter
Because we keep bees and our bees make the world’s best honey (yes, we’re biased), I’m always looking for great ways to use honey in cooking or as gifts.
Honey butter is one of those little niceties that some restaurants offer with their bread. It’s so easy to make and is really appreciated by the recipients. It’s such a special accompaniment to a loaf of homemade bread or some homemade rolls or muffins.
You will be tempted to make a lot of honey butter to make as a gift, but a little goes a long way. The jars shown are bouillon jars that I’ve recycled. Smaller jars might be even better.
The very small jars that jams and jellies sometimes come in would be perfect, especially to go with a bread gift. The following recipe produces just the right amount of honey butter to fill one of the bouillon-sized jars though.
Homemade Honey Butter Recipe
Homemade Honey Butter
A schmear of this homemade honey butter truly will makes any bread taste special. Super easy to make and always well received!
Ingredients
- 1 ½ sticks (3/4 cup) of butter, softened (see notes for non-dairy options)
- ¼ cup honey (or less, to taste)
Instructions
- Place softened butter in a deep bowl.
- Cream butter with your mixer or a wooden spoon. Gradually add honey and mix using a low speed if using a mixer.
- Spoon into the jar.
- You can “wrap” your jar of honey butter now and then refrigerate or wait until right before gifting if you are worried about your wrapping getting disturbed or damp in the refrigerator.
Notes
I place a nice gift label on the lid and just tie a bow around the lid. The label shown in the photo was actually part of a book of stamps. I always save any parts I can turn into labels or stickers. I just hate to waste things.
Cost wise, this gift can be very reasonable. The butter cost me about 75 cents and, of course, the honey was free (setting aside our costs for maintaining the bees).
It would be pretty easy to make dairy-free honey "butter" using Earth Balance buttery spread that comes in a tub. Slightly soften spread by sitting the container on the counter for a few minutes. Remove spread to a medium-sized bowl. Add honey. Mix well. Place honey buttery spread back in the container, which you can wrap with wrapping paper (foil wrapping works well). Save any excess to another refrigerated container for yourself.
I also made a sample batch using coconut oil instead of butter and I liked it, but it does have a pronounced coconut flavor.
Homemade goodies like these are perfect for assembling together in baskets, too. I actually had more planned to share, but we had a thunderstorm today, lost power, and I lost my file, so I promise to give you some more easy gift ideas soon. Have fun with your gift making!
Homemade Honey Butter and Vanilla Extract Ready to Give
Other Gluten-Free Holiday Recipes To Grace Your Table
Last, don’t forget … the Thanksgiving Progressive Dinner Party is still going on. Today’s posts are recipes for side dishes.
Diane of The Whole Gang dished up Stuffing with Pancetta Sage Sausage … oh my! Mouthwatering.
For another stuffing option, check out Stephanie’s (A Year of Slow Cooking) Corn Bread Slow Cooker Stuffing. Who doesn’t like cornbread? And made in the slow cooker? The best.
You really can’t go wrong with either of those stuffing recipes. Just go take a look at them—they make you want Thanksgiving dinner right now!
Ali shared a beautiful Pear Pomegranate Salad with Orange Vinaigrette, yet another recipe in our Progressive Dinner that features arils, more commonly known as pomegranate seeds.
November happens to be National Pomegranate Month. I can only imagine the amazing burst of flavors in Ali’s salad, especially from the crunchy arils!
Originally published November 20, 2009; updated December 6, 2018.
Lauren says
Very Pretty! Vanilla looks like such a fun thing to make! And a great gift – especially if they’re big cooks =D. The honey butter, well that just looks delicious.
Shirley says
Hi, Lauren–Vanilla extract is incredibly easy to make. In just a short amount of “prep” time and with relatively little expense, you can have several beautiful gifts. Definitely for cooks though. 😉 Honey butter is a yummy thing and such a special treat. I’m surprised I didn’t think of it years earlier (I’ve only been making that since last year).
Thanks and have a great weekend!
Shirley
Pam says
Beautiful gifts and oh SO yummy!
Enjoy!
Shirley says
Hey Pam!–Thank you. 🙂 Yes, yummy and that other important factor here at gfe—gluten free and easy! 😉
Shirley
SnoWhite says
that is a wonderful gift idea… especially for people with allergies! It’s easy to see these are safe gifts for many people who have food allergies!!
Shirley says
Hi SnoWhite–Great to see you again, and thank you! There really are so many easy ideas that can work well for folks with food intolerances/allergies. Once you think of them, you wonder why you didn’t think of them earlier. 😉 Often we just need to think more about the basics. 🙂 BTW, the vanilla extract can even be made using glycerin for folks who don’t use any alcohol products.
Shirley
Phoebe @ Cents to Get Debt Free says
I always make honey butter, but had never thought to give it as a gift! That would be perfect rounded out with a biscuit mix or something.
Ooh, and the vanilla–I bought my beans, but hadn’t had a chance to get the vodka. Thanks for the reminder. 🙂
Shirley says
Hi, Phoebe–Welcome to gfe! Thanks so much for hosting this week’s Holiday Food Fest! You made some beautiful and very economical gift packages. 🙂 I only made it through part of the entries … need to check back. I love seeing all the different ideas!
Yes, the honey butter would be great with a biscuit mix or similar. I’m jealous that you have your beans … I need to get some more immediately. Hey, since I’ve got the vodka … we should get together and have a vanilla making party. 😉 LOL It’s so easy we could spend almost all our time chatting and getting to know each other. 😉
Shirley
The Diva on a Diet says
Shirley, I am in awe of your homemade vanilla extract! What a marvelous idea!!! The honey butter sounds amazing too. Thanks so much for giving me some great ideas for Diva-made gifts this year. 🙂
Shirley says
Hi there, Diva!–Aw, thanks! But, I tell you it’s so easy. Can make you look like the best gift giver ever though. You can fancy up those bottles/packaging as much as you like … I’m envisioning a unique Diva label on yours! 😉 Fun.
Honey butter is such a delightful thing and so easy to make.
Hope you wow your friends and family with your gfe-inspired Diva-made gifts!
Shirley
Gluten FREE foods ROCK says
Great idea
Shirley says
Hey, Gluten FREE foods ROCK–Welcome to gfe! Thank you! Love your name … with the emphasis on FREE and ROCK. 🙂 Must go check out your blog … always love meeting new gf bloggers … we tend to be great folks. 😉
Shirley
Gudrun says
the honey butter sounds great! Since I am such a new bee keeper, I only have a little honey I have harvested, so I am not even ready to give that as gifts. Hopefully next year, since I added another hive, I will have more honey to share. And making honey butter sounds like such a great idea. Including a recipe for cornbread would make a nice gift (GF of course!)
Shirley says
Hi Gudrun–Yes, of course, it takes some time to build up your hives and get a good honey yield. And, still then that can be unpredictable. This was the best year for us for our one hive here, but not as good a year for the hives that Mr. GFE does with his mom on her farm. Woohoo on getting another hive though! I do think sharing our bees’ wonderful honey is as rewarding and as enjoyable as it is eating it ourselves. Start collecting small jars for when you can share. (I’m always saving jars myself.) Oh, yes, that would be a great gift idea—thanks! I even have a great cornbread here at gfe that would work—no flour needed at all, just cornmeal and a few other ingredients.
Thanks for taking the time to comment! I hope you keep getting lots of entries for your kitchen gadget giveaway—what fun and such terrific tools for the lucky winner. 🙂
Shirley
Alta says
You keep bees? How cool. I love that honey butter. And keeping boullion jars is an excellent idea. Great gift ideas.
Shirley says
Hi Alta–Yes, beekeeping is a team effort here. Mr. GFE does all the outside work and dons the suit. 😉 (Occasionally, Son helps hubby, too, when he’s home.) We do the bottling together, I do all the baking/cooking and any mailing of honey to friends. Bees are valuable, amazing creatures! 🙂
The honey butter is yummy. I am always saving jars. Bouillon jars are a pretty good size. (Usually, they have nicely colored lids, too—which can work well with gift labels, etc.) I first tried filling a Nutella jar with honey butter and that’s way too much honey butter to have to make! LOL I’m sure it would go as quickly as the Nutella that was in it before though. 😉
Thanks!
Shirley
Brian says
MMMM… You had me at honey butter. I think I’m going to give a little bit of my homemade extract away this Christmas also. I like your idea of giving away the newly started bottle of vanilla.
Shirley says
Hello there, Brian 🙂 –LOL I know what you mean … honey butter is just delightful. Now whoever gets your homemade vanilla extract will be fortunate indeed. I remember you watching and waiting for the extraction process to be complete. 😉 A gift that keeps on giving, too. Every time someone bakes they think of the kind person who gave them the wonderful vanilla. 🙂
Shirley
Amy @ Simply Sugar & Gluten-Free says
Love this, Shirley. What great ideas and so time-practical! I get my vanilla beans from The Organic Vanilla Bean Company. I got 20 beans for $12. 10 Tahitian and 10 bourbon – and the quality is fantastic.
Shirley says
Hi Amy–Thanks so much! I got so excited about your high quality, economical, and organic supplier of vanilla beans (both Tahitian and bourbon—cool!) and went off to order and they are completely out of stock of every single type of bean they sell per their site. Although they do state that they restock often and advise customers to keep checking back. You can be sure I will, but wow, huh? Everyone must be making vanilla extract and other goodies using vanilla beans this holiday season!
Shirley
Chaya says
This is a wonderful idea and a pretty gift. You accomplish so much. It is impressive.
Shirley says
Thanks, Chaya! Hopefully, I’ll have some more food-related gift ideas up soon. BTW, the vanilla is already such a lovely amber color. I like peeking in on it now and then. 😉
Shirley
vickie says
sounds like some very good gifts- I need to try the vanilla extract that would be great to make.
Shirley says
Hi vickie–Thanks! Welcome to gfe! 🙂 Vanilla extract is a very well-received gift and easy to make. Even though it takes several weeks before it reaches its full flavor (and we’re not that far away from holiday gift giving), it can still be used right away. It will just improve daily. I shake my bottles occasionally to speed up the process a bit. 😉
Thanks so much for stopping by! Off to see what you have shared at your blog …
Shirley
Seth says
To be honest, that is not enough vanilla beans for my taste. I made it with 3 vanilla beans (cut in half twice – once lengthwise once widthwise) per half cup of vodka, then I let it steep for over 2 months shaking it daily.
Shirley says
Hi Seth–Welcome to gfe! I appreciate your opinion. I know some will certainly agree with you. It is a personal preference for some for sure. I started using my vanilla extract as I made it about a month later. It had turned a lovely amber by then. Now it’s just beautiful and flavorful in my baking recipes. It’s possible that different vanilla beans can be extracted more quickly and yield better vanilla, too. Anyway, thanks so much for taking the time to comment. I’m sure some gfe readers will like your ratio of vanilla beans to vodka better. 🙂
Happy baking!
Shirley
Debra says
I will have to add honey butter to my list of “gifts” to make this year. I just started making vanilla extract, but I also use more beans. After reading loads and loads of variations of vanilla extract recipes, I have found out to make a true extract you need a minimum of 6 vanilla beans per 1 cup of alcohol. I ended up buy in bulk on ebay from Vanilla Products USA. (His prices are really good and he ships fast).
One question…what brand of vodka did you use? I can’t find any that is that low priced in my area…
Shirley says
Hi Debra–Welcome to gfe! Yes, honey butter is a very well-received gift for sure. 🙂 Congrats on making your own extract! I’ve read the same as you have about the number of beans needed per cup for true extract, but I continue to make mine with two beans per container (which is probably a cup and a half) and I’m very happy with the results. Likewise, the folks who eat my baked goods are very satisfied. 😉 Of course, if you are pleased with the results using 6 per cup, then by all means continue to use 6. 🙂 Thanks for mentioning a vanilla bean supplier that you’ve been happy with. I’ve been really happy myself with The Organic Vanilla Bean Company. Thare are times when they are out of stock for a few days, but I’m very pleased with the quality, price, and delivery time. It’s great that we both have found good suppliers and are enjoying our homemade vanilla!
I just use the least expensive vodka in my liquor store. I believe the brand is Aristocrat. Usually these types of stores have one sort of generic brand name that they sell for all of the basics like vodka, gin, etc.
Thanks so much for commenting!
Shirley
Valerie Haight says
Hey Shirley, your vanilla extract recipe is very similar to my recipe for homemade Kahlua!! Primary difference is for Kahlua you add Instant Coffee, Sugar, and a little water. Stick in the snow for 2 -3 weeks and shake once a day!
Shirley says
Hi Valerie–I’ve made homemade Kahlua! It’s been a very long time, but I LOVED it! 🙂 Snow NEVER sticks around here that long, but I love the idea of “brewing” my Kahlua in a snowbank. 😉
Shirley
Valerie Haight says
Haha! It’s a Michigan thing, ya know? You’ll love this, I always “brewed” my Kahlua in empty milk gallon jugs! It’s been years since I’ve made any too. Maybe I’ll just have to make a batch this year! I saw Amy’s lead for the Organic Vanilla Bean Co. (Thanks Amy!). Gonna have to check them out. Hopefully they’ll get some in soon!
Shirley says
Good idea on using a milk jug, Valerie! 🙂 Sadly, I don’t think that particular vanilla bean company is still in operation. There are enough other providers of organic vanilla beans though.
Shirley