How to Make Vanilla Bean Paste
Here's everything you need to know to make homemade vanilla paste! It's the perfect way to level up your baking and is so much cheaper than buying vanilla bean paste.
Servings: 2.5 cups
Calories: 578kcal
Equipment
- Airtight Glass Containers
Ingredients
Vanilla Bean Paste (inspired by Vanilla Bean Kings)
- 2 oz or about 23 whole vanilla bean pods* - I prefer beans from Madagascar 60g
- 1 cup granulated sugar 200g
- 3/4 cup 80 proof (40% ABV) vodka, rum, or bourbon 180g
- 1/3 cup water 80g
- 2 Tbsp light corn syrup 40g
- 1/4 tsp xanthan gum optional, helps thicken mixture
Instructions
Vanilla Bean Paste
- Start by setting out your containers. I like to use airtight, 8-oz glass containers. The number of containers you need will vary based on the size of your containers. One batch of this recipe makes a little over 2 1/2 cups or 20 oz.
- Cut 60g of vanilla bean pods (for me, this is about 23 vanilla bean pods*) into thirds and place them inside a high-powered blender. While it might seem silly to cut the beans before putting them in the blender, cutting them helps them break down more easily. If you don't, you can end up with chunks of vanilla bean pod in your paste.
- Add 1/3 cup water, 1 cup granulated sugar, 3/4 cup vodka, rum, or bourbon, and 2 Tbsp light corn syrup into the blender with the vanilla bean pods. NOTE: Wait to add the xanthan gum until later.
- Begin blending the mixture at a low speed, then gradually increase the speed to high. Let it blend for 2-3 minutes (set a timer, it needs at least 2 minutes). Once you've reached the 2-minute mark, stop the blender and check the mixture. You want to keep blending until the beans are broken down to tiny pieces that are similar in size to the actual vanilla bean seeds.
- At this point, turn the blender on at a medium-low speed and slowly sprinkle in 1/4 tsp of xanthan gum through the opening in the lid. Blend for 15-30 seconds, or until it's fully incorporated. The mixture will have heated up from all the blending, but it will thicken as it cools to room temperature.
- Pour the mixture into the prepared, airtight containers. Store them at room temperature somewhere dark, like a cupboard or pantry. This can be used immediately for baking!
Video
Notes
* The weight of a vanilla bean can vary a TON based on its quality, size, and moisture level. That's why it's much better to go by weight than by number of beans! I highly recommend using a scale to measure the ingredients when making vanilla bean paste.
How Much Vanilla Bean Paste Does This Recipe Make?
One batch of this recipe makes about 2 1/2 cups of vanilla bean paste. I usually make a double batch and fill 5, 8-oz containers. Blend time will be a bit longer if you make a double or triple batch.Tips for Making the Best Vanilla Bean Paste
- A high-powered blender is a must in this recipe!! In a pinch, you can try using an immersion blender, food processor, or lower-powered blender, but the potency won't be the same. If you go this route, I recommend pouring the mixture through a fine mesh strainer once it's fully made.
- This recipe can be made with vanilla beans that have already been used to make vanilla extract! However, the tricky part is using the right amount of beans and alcohol. They will have absorbed alcohol, so they will weigh more than they originally did. If possible, use the original weight of the beans and figure out how much alcohol the beans absorbed (new weight-what the beans weighed before) and subtract that from the alcohol you use to make the paste.
- Xanthan gum is a natural ingredient that is commonly used as a thickener and stabilizer in food. Be sure to measure it carefully, a little goes a long way! If you don't have any or don't want to use it, it can be omitted. However, the paste will be slightly less thick, and the vanilla bean seeds will sink to the bottom of the container. If you go this route, remember to shake the jar before using it.
- Don't skip the corn syrup. It helps prevent crystallization. If you aren't able to find corn syrup, you can try using honey or agave syrup, but the results won't be quite the same.
How Should I Store Vanilla Bean Paste? How Long Does it Last?
DO NOT store it in the fridge! If you do, it can absorb moisture, which will ruin its flavor. I recommend storing vanilla bean paste in a dark place at room temperature. I keep mine in my pantry, but a cupboard would work great too! Vanilla bean paste can last anywhere from 1 to 3 years when stored in a cool, dark place. If stored properly, it can actually last longer than that, but it will lose some of its flavor over time.Nutrition
Calories: 578kcal | Carbohydrates: 99g | Fat: 4g | Sodium: 21mg | Potassium: 3mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 93g | Calcium: 3mg | Iron: 0.05mg