Homemade Vanilla Extract

I wanted to do something special for my family and friends at Christmas time, so back in early November I started brewing my own homemade vanilla extract. I ordered Madagascar Vanilla Beans, bought some Bell Jars, and headed to the liquor store. I have to say the experience of   purchasing two half gallons of vodka was an experience in itself, especially because it was about 11 am.  I think the clerk was either very impressed with me or very scared for me, or maybe it was all in my head. Oh well, you and I know the true reason why I was lugging around enough vodka for a small army. 



Everyone I gave the vanilla to seemed really surprised and happy. I guess most people don't realize that vanilla extract is mostly alcohol. I haven't used the vanilla myself yet, but I am really excited to see if I can notice a difference in the flavor. I love that I will never run out of vanilla again - - all you have to do is top it off with more vodka when you start to get low!

I have lots of left over vanilla beans so please share ideas for using them! Vanilla sugar is already on my list. 

Homemade Vanilla Extract
Printable Version


Ingredients
1/2 gallon vodka 
20 vanilla beans


Directions
Slice vanilla beans lengthwise and place into vodka bottles.

Shake every week and store in a dark, cool place. 

Vanilla is ready when it has darkened. 

Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments

Even though this is not a recipe you can eat, it's just too cute not to share it with you. Especially because I have been slacking on posting Christmas-y things.



Every year when Christmas time rolls around I worry and worry about what to have my students make for their parents to give as a gift. For busy teachers, this alone can cause a lot of stress, not to mention time! In the past I've had my children make ornaments or picture frames that I buy and the kids assemble with glue. I've worried that they won't withstand the test of time because cheap crafts = cheap presents. So this year I decided to go the completely homemade route. I found these cinnamon applesauce ornaments on a super crafty blog called Add a Pinch. I loved how the ornaments only require three ingredients: cinnamon, applesauce, and white school glue. For a teacher, inexpensive is the key! So I doubled the "large" batch ingredients and had more than enough for my 16 first graders to make their ornaments. I got the idea from Robyn's salt dough ornaments to trace my students' little hands instead of using cookie cutters. I crossed my fingers, made the dough, and prayed that it all worked out. Not only did the hand ornaments turn out, they were so cute! We used toothpicks to cut them out and write the students' names and the year on the ornament. Since I don't really have access to an oven at school, I placed them on wire racks in the windows and turned them every other day. In just 3 days they were dried and ready for ribbon and wrapping. Another bonus to making these ornaments: my classroom smelled like cinnamon for days upon days. I hope some of you will give these a try. If you end up making these, please share with me your results!

Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments -- Large batch
From Add A Pinch
Printable Version

Ingredients
2 cups ground cinnamon
1 1/2 cups applesauce
1/2 cup white glue

Directions
In a large bowl or container combine all ingredients by lightly dusting your hands with cinnamon. Combine until smooth. Roll out to 1/4 inch thickness. *I found it was much easier to pat the dough out with hands instead of a rolling pin.* Cut out shapes with your favorite cookie cutters. Punch a hole in each ornament for ribbon and if desired write names and the year in the ornaments with a toothpick.

Place ornaments on parchment paper lined baking sheets. Bake at 1 hour at 150 degrees or air dry on wire racks, for 3-4 days, turning every day. Once dry, string ribbon through the hole.

The BEST Early Christmas Present

My wonderful, supportive, generous husband bought me this beautiful new KitchenAid Mixer in Buttercup Yellow yesterday. I have been pining over and lusting after a KitchenAid Mixer for over a year now. I would desperately leave comment number 10,473 in Pioneer Woman's Mixer Giveaways. Obviously, I never won. Every time I came acrosss a recipe that called for mixing ingredients in a KitchenAid, my little heart would drop. Guess I can't make this one, I don't have a KitchenAid Mixer. Tear.

But not anymore Ladies and Gentlemen! With this baby, I have officially become a home chef. I cannot begin to tell you how excited I am. 

And how gorgeous is this Mixer? I am throughly enjoying just staring at it sitting on my kitchen counter, in all it's sparkly new glory.

Now my only problem is what to make first????

What is your favorite recipe in your KitchenAid? Please share!

Merry Early Christmas!