Extract!!! Extract!!! read all about it

Do you find yourself reaching for the imitation vanilla extract over the pure vanilla extract at the grocery store? I really can't blame you because the price difference is insane!! Plus really, can the difference in taste be all that different? Well no, the taste may not be all that different but the imitation stuff is just that .....fake. Synthetic chemicals made in a lab by scientists doesn't sound too appealing to me so I try to buy the real stuff when I can, but that can put a big dent in my pocket book when it comes to baking.

Did you know that making your own extracts only takes a bit of time, alcohol and the flavor of your choice? Here are a few recipes on different extracts. If you make them now (or before August), with a bit of cute packaging, you can have some homemade Christmas gifts already done for the baker in your family.

Recipes adapted from Spoonforkbacon.com

(Some) Homemade Extracts
Makes 1 cup each extract
Ingredients:
cinnamon extract:
1 cup brandy
4 cinnamon sticks
vanilla extract:
1 cup brandy (or vodka)
3 vanilla beans, split with the “caviar” scraped out. I ordered this online for the best deal.
orange extract:
1 cup vodka
peel of 5 oranges, ALL pith removed
lemon extract:
1 cup vodka
peel of 5 lemons, ALL pith removed
mint extract:
1 cup vodka
1 cup of mint leaves, crushed

1. For each extract ,sterilize a 16 ounce jar and fill with the cinnamon sticks, vanilla beans or citrus peels.
2. Pour assigned liquor over each jar and tightly seal. Gently shake each jar and set aside in a dark, cool area.
3. Allow mixtures to infuse for at least 2 weeks before, straining and bottling for use. I like mine to sit for at least 4 months to ensure good flavor extraction.
**Gently shake each mixture up every couple of days.

Here is my favorite part.....Once made you can have extracts for years. When you use a bit of the extract, I wait until it is 1/2 gone, add some more liquor and shake. That's it, no more base ingredient needed.

Now these are just some extracts you can make that I know work. If you are feeling a bit daring, try some others like coffee, almond or lime.

If you are worried about the alcohol content, please note that when baking or cooking the "getting you drunk" part is evaporated in the cooking process and you are only left with the flavor.