Hi Bold Bakers!
Did you know that you can make your own extracts
at home?
You can make vanilla, lemon, mint, any flavor
that you like.
In this episode of Bold Baking Basics, I’m
going to show you how and it could not be
simpler.
I’m going to start by showing you how to
make vanilla extract.
It can be quite expensive in store but it’s
much cheaper if you make it yourself.
The first thing you need is a fresh vanilla
pod.
Now all you want to do is take this, run a
knife down the middle of it.
You want to expose all of those lovely seeds
on the inside.
Then we’re going to cut it in half so it’ll
fit in our jar.
Now I have a lovely little jar here that has
a sealable lid.
Now I’ve posted a link of these of where
you can them on my website.
Into our jar, we are going to pour in pure
vodka.
I know that sounds kind of crazy but it is
actually the basis of every extract, pure
alcohol.
And just fill up your jar all the way to the
neck.
Now if you’re worried about consuming this
alcohol, don’t be.
It is eaten in such small amounts that it
won’t make a difference.
Once it’s filled up, take your lid, screw
it on nice and tight, give it a little bit
of a shake, and that is it.
That is vanilla extract.
Could not be easier.
Now you want to store these in a cupboard,
out of direct sunlight, in a dry area for
a minimum of five weeks before you start to
use it.
Then it will last, in your cupboard, indefinitely.
Forever.
The next extract we are going to make is mint.
All you want to do is get some lovely, fresh,
clean mint leaves and then just put them straight
down into your jar.
Once all of your leaves are in there, just
top it off with your vodka.
And then on with your lid.
Give it a little bit of a shake.
And there is your mint extract.
Look how beautiful that looks.
We’re going to set this aside and get started
on our next extract which is lemon.
For the lemon extract, all you want to do
is peel the zest of one lemon.
You want to do nice thin strips so you can
get it into the jar easily.
A little tip is when taking off the zest of
any citrus fruit, make sure you just get the
zest, and not the white because that can actually
turn your extract quite bitter.
Pile your zest straight into your jar.
Once all of your lemon is in there, then fill
it up with your vodka.
When buying vodka for this, do not buy the
cheapest, but also don’t buy the most expensive.
Find a middle of the road vodka.
Then, on with your lid.
Look how pretty that is.
Give it a little shake.
And all those flavors mixing together.
Now we are going to set this aside and get
started on our last flavor which is orange
extract.
The orange extract is the same as the lemon.
You just want to take off the zest.
Nice thin strips.
And then carefully place them into the jar.
Once all of your orange is in there, fill
it up with your vodka.
Then seal it nice and tight.
Give it a bit of a shake.
And there you have it.
So now this is the test.
Let me show you what your extracts will look
like after a few weeks of being in the cupboard.
Check that out.
Do you see the vanilla?
It’s gone kind of a murky color, but that’s
okay.
All of the seeds have come out, releasing
all of their lovely flavor.
This is ready to use in any or all of your
baking.
And remember, like I said, it lasts indefinitely.
So just keep it in your cupboard.
There’s the orange one.
Changed a beautiful orange color.
And then your mint.
It goes a lovely green color.
And then same with the lemon.
The flavors have come out.
They’re really vibrant and fresh.
They’re absolutely lovely.
Who would not want to make their own homemade
extracts after seeing these?
I have hundreds of baking recipes that you
can use the extracts in on my website.
Also, for lots more Bold Baking Basics just
like these ones, don’t forget to check out
my other videos.
