For the past four years now I've used my own, homemade vanilla extract in all my baking. It might be one of the easiest ingredients to make and it impacts the flavor of my baked goods exceptionally well compared to its store-bought imitation counterpart. Enjoy!
1-2 whole Organic vanilla beans
1 half pint of cheap Vodka
1 Mason Jar - half pint size (you can use larger, but increase beans and amount of Vodka)
Combine Organic vanilla beans with vodka in mason jar. Keep in a dark corner of your pantry for 4-6 months, shaking daily. Closer to six month you'll notice the color darkening and your extract smelling more like vanilla than vodka. Use as needed.
I've been using my half-pint extract for 14 months and will probably be making a new batch here soon, so I have the ingredient ready once this current batch runs out. My point being, this amount will last you a very long time. This can also be a great gift idea for the bakers in your life!
