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Welcome to the world of homemade Double Fold Vanilla Extract, a pantry essential that takes ordinary home bakers kitchen flavors and turns them into decadent desserts and meals.

 

 

Now that you know how to make single fold vanilla extract, it is time to explore double fold vanilla extract. And that is what we are talking about today.

Maybe you have made the best homemade vanilla extract and now you want to study all things vanilla. Maybe you talked to someone else who makes their own vanilla extract and they asked you if you have tried double-fold extract.

Or maybe you just read about single-fold extract and had no idea that double or triple was even an option.

Whatever brought you here, welcome to the rabbit hole. 

Let’s talk about double-fold vanilla extract today and why you would even care about it.

 

 

What Is Double Fold Vanilla Extract?

Vanilla Extract with twice the beans is a concentrated vanilla extract that is twice as flavorful as standard or single-fold vanilla extract. It is made the same way as homemade real vanilla extract, but you double the amount of vanilla beans you use in each batch. That gives you an extract that’s twice as powerful.

What Ingredients do you need to make Double Fold Extract?

• Vanilla Beans: I like to use the whole vanilla bean to preserve it and keep it ready to use the caviar in other dishes
• Vodka: extracts the vanilla compounds from the beans.

Pro Tip: Use high-quality beans for the best flavor. Grade A or Grade B vanilla beans work well. Grade A will have more caviar if you use that in recipes while grade B will make great extract without the caviar.

The country your beans are grown in will affect the flavor profile of your extract, so in addition to the grade level, you might use Tahitian vanilla beans for a lighter extract, Mexican vanilla beans for a deeper flavor, and classic Madagascar vanilla beans for an all around solid vanilla extract.

 

 

How to Make Double Fold Vanilla Extract:

1. Place whole vanilla beans in a glass jar.
2. Add vodka, ensuring the beans are fully submerged. Fold beans if needed.
3. Store in a dark (out of direct sunlight) and safe place for 12 months.
4. (If desired) Shake the jar monthly to blend the vanilla.

Pro Tip: Use airtight containers, and label your jar with the start date. The longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor.

What is the difference Between Single Fold and Double Fold Vanilla Extract?

The biggest difference between a single fold and a double fold extract recipe is the amount of whole vanilla beans used which affects the flavor. Double has a richer, more intense, flavor. Literally it is twice as strong as single fold.

 

 

What are the FDA Requirements for Double Fold Vanilla Extract:

The FDA requires that a pure double fold extract ratio must be 26.7 ounces of vanilla beans per gallon of extract and have at least 35% alcohol. That is double the required amount for pure vanilla extract. 

In smaller amounts, if you want the double fold vanilla extract oz per cup ratio, that is adding about 1.7 ounces of beans into one cup of vodka. 

Note: This will be more than a one cup container. You have the full cup of alcohol and add the beans into it which will displace the liquid. Be sure to have a much bigger container to allow for the beans you are adding to your jar.

How to Use Double Vanilla Extract:

You can use double fold extract exactly the same way you use regular vanilla extract. It just gives twice as powerful of a flavor without affecting the liquid to dry ingredient ratio in your recipes.

Do the Stores Sell Single Fold or Double Fold Extract?

Most grocery stores carry single fold vanilla extract. But sometimes you can find vanilla extract double fold in specialty or gourmet shops.

 

 

What is the Taste Difference Between Single Fold and Double Fold Vanilla Extract:

With twice as many beans in the same amount of alcohol, this vanilla extract is twice as strong. That means it gives a more complex vanilla flavor compared to the milder taste of single fold.

What to Make with Double Extract:

I make everything with double fold extract. My favorite ways to bring out the extra flavor are desserts like crème Brule, ice cream, tiramisu, or chocolate chip cookies. Even brownies taste better with a splash of this double-strength vanilla extract.

Can Dogs Eat Double Fold Vanilla Extract?

No, dogs should not eat plain vanilla extract. Alcohol is dangerous for your pets. Keep it out of their reach.

 

 

What Alcohol to Use for Double Fold Vanilla Extract:

You want to choose an alcohol with at least 40% ABV content to make double vanilla extract. Adding the beans which have some moisture will lower the alcohol content, but keep it safely above the 35% required by the FDA.

I like to choose Vodka with a neutral flavor so the vanilla can shine through as a pure flavor. Some people enjoy mixing it in a spiced rum, but remember the flavor of the alcohol you use will come through in the final result. I like to keep mine as pure as possible so I can truly taste the vanilla and use it in anything.

How to Remove the Alcohol from Vanilla Extract:

You cannot remove the alcohol from any vanilla extract. All true extracts (not imitation flavorings) have alcohol in them to keep the pure ingredient from spoiling. 

People who use imitation vanilla extract do not have alcohol in their bottle, but they also aren’t using any true part of a vanilla bean to make that. So I choose to use the real ingredient to give an incredibly full flavor to everything I use it in.

As you use the alcohol to cook, it will evaporate out. Also the amount of vanilla extract you use in comparison to the entire recipe is such a small amount that is usually small enough not to worry about.

Pro Tip: Do not drink or taste any pure extracts to find the true taste. They will taste like alcohol. 

To find what your own homemade vanilla extract tastes like you can mix some in homemade whipped cream (whipped heavy cream with a tiny bit of sugar) or pudding. Or squeeze a few drops onto a sugar cube and taste the vanilla sugar. That will let you know what your extract truly tastes like.

But this process uses alcohol because that is how all true store-bought vanilla extract is made. You cannot remove it.

 

 

Can You Freeze Double Fold Vanilla Extract:

No, you cannot freeze vanilla extract. And actually, you cannot freeze this in a standard home freezer. 

A home freezer is not cold enough to freeze the vodka, but it is strong enough to dry out your vanilla beans, making them not good for much except grinding into powder.

How Long Does Double Fold Vanilla Extract Last:

Properly stored, extract can last forever. For best results, let it sit for years in a cool place and the strength of your vanilla extract will get stronger until you are ready to use it.

 

 

Recipes that use Vanilla Extract:

• Cherry Whoopie Pies
• Pretzel Crisp Christmas Crack
• Vanilla Meringue Cookies
• Peppermint Christmas Crack
• Whopper Cookies
• Meringue Ghost Cookies Recipe
• Tootsie Roll Caramel Corn
• Tootsie Roll Fudge
• Pumpkin Cookies with Brown Sugar Frosting
• Strawberry Bread Pudding
• Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
• Cookie Dough Brownie Recipe
• Coconut Butter Cookies
• Cool Whip Fruit Dip
• Cranberry Eggnog Bread

Double Fold Vanilla Extract gives you twice the flavor, and endless culinary possibilities! Elevate all your favorite recipes with the best vanilla extract you have ever used.

 

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