How to make your own cherry extract at home. It's so easy to make and the flavour is out of this world.
When the Sunday Supper crew announced we were doing Holiday Gifts from the Kitchen as our theme this week I may have jumped for joy. I mean just a little. I love giving home-made gifts so I knew this was going to be fun. The possibilities are endless when it comes to gifts you can give people from the kitchen. Cookies, bars, bark, snack mix, chocolates, bread, candy, alcohol and the list goes on and on. You can also make gifts in jars that the recipient just adds some wet ingredients to in order to bake, cookie mixes and breads are perfect for this.
Last year I gave away vanilla extract, vanilla salt, vanilla sugar, vanilla brown sugar and vanilla oats. I also did up some cookies in a jar for some people. Then I whipped up some Turtle Bark, Black Forest Bark, Coconut Bark, Hot Fudge Sauce and Slow Cooker Snack Mix for some family members. Yup, being in Lunie's world during the holidays is a good thing. And sorta fattening.
I made this extract eons ago. The downside to that is there is no fresh cherries to use as props in the photo. I intended to photograph this before I went out west. But I was too busy. Then I intended to photograph this when I returned home from the vacation of doom. But I was too sick. So I finally photographed this but the timing meant no cherries to add in the shot. Such a big old cherry bummer.
The upside to making cherry extract is it is so much cheaper than buying it. A tiny bottle of it costs a fortune. I love using cherry extract whenever possible in my baking. So I go through quite a bit of it. Making my own made good economic sense. Plus it was fun. I mean who doesn't love playing with vodka. It's how all good weekends start right.
Homemade Cherry Extract
Ingredients
- 1 375 ml bottle vodka
- 2 cups fresh cherries
Instructions
- Pit and cut your cherries in half.
- Pour vodka into a mason jar.
- Toss cherries in the vodka.
- Give it a shake.
- Store in a cool, dark place for about 2 weeks.
- Give it a little shake now and then.
- After 2 weeks time remove and discard the cherries. You can pour it through a sieve to remove any particles. Pour back into jar and store in a cool, dry place.
- Give as gifts with a big old cherry smile!
Notes
Yes I realize it's not cherry season. You may need to wait awhile to try this one. If you're wondering if you can use dried cherries, well, I'm on that. I've got a batch brewing as I write this. So stay tuned for results.
Hope you enjoy this. Thanks to our hostesss this week, Susan from The Wimpy Vegetarian. She really came up with the perfect theme. As always a huge thank you to our fearless leader, Isabel of Family Foodie. Make sure you stop by all the other Sunday Supper crew to see what amazing gifts they made for you.
Breads/Breakfast:
- Pumpkin Biscoff Bread – Dinners, Dishes, and Dessert
- All-in-One Beer Bread Kit – girlichef
- Banana Coconut Coffee Cake with Macadamia Nut Streusel – The Lovely Pantry
- Pancake Mix With Apple Cider Syrup and Candied Walnuts – Tora’s Real Food
- Cranberry Hootycreeks – Baker Street
Condiments/Ingredients:
- Apple Butter – Hezzi D’s Books and Cooks
- Herb Vinegars – Cindy’s Recipes and Writings
- Harissa – The Wimpy Vegetarian
- Homemade Vanilla Extract – Flour on my Face
- Nutella Powder – I Run For Wine
- Apricot Pineapple Rum Sauce – Vintage Kitchen Notes
- Spiced Cranberry Apricot Almond Chutney – Sue’s Nutrition Buzz
- Pumpkin Butter – Family Foodie
Soup/Snacks:
- A Soup For You – Momma’s Meals
- Maple Nut Granola - Girl in the Little Red Kitchen
- Sweet and Spicy Curried Nuts – Soni’s Food for Thought
- Sweet and Spicy Pecans – Supper For a Steal
- Maple Pumpkin Spice Granola Bars – Cupcakes and Kale Chips
- Orange Spiced Chickpeas – Home Cooking Memories
- Turtle Pretzels – The Messy Baker
Sweets:
- Rocky Road Candy – Magnolia Days
- Dairyfree Vegan Caramels – Galactosemia in PDX
- Peanut Butter Cookies in a Jar – Mama’s Blissful Bites
- M&M Cookies in a Jar – Damn Delicious
- Monster Cookie Mix in a Jar – What Smells So Good?
- Chocolate Chip Cookie Biscotti – Meal Planning Magic
- Snickerdoodle Snack Mix – Pippi’s in the Kitchen Again
- Butter and Jam Thumbprint Cookies – Crispy Bits & Burnt Ends
- Peppermint Stick Cookie Truffles - The Weekend Gourmet
- Nutella Truffles – Small Wallet Big Appetite
- Peanut Cajetas (Peanut Fudge) – Basic and Delicious
- Cookie Cutter Fudge – Chocolate Moosey
- Pumpkin Roll – Shockingly Delicious
- Homemade Chocolates – My Trials in the Kitchen
- Hot Chocolate on a Stick – Juanita’s Cocina
- Chocolate Toffee “Crack” – Ruffles and Truffles
- Holiday Tree Cake – Noshing with the Nolands
Drinks:
- Applepie Moonshine - My Catholic Kitchen
- Holiday Spiced Mocha - Daily Dish Recipes
- Homemade Peppermint Mocha Mix - In the Kitchen with KP
- Homemade Kahlua - That Skinny Chick Can Bake
Thanks for visiting today!
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Toodles! xx
Katie
What a great homemade gift idea! I wouldn't mind receiving a bottle... 😉
Kim Bee
Thanks. It's such a cool thing to make.
Jennie @themessybakerblog
Kim, this is a genius idea! I want this.
Kim Bee
Thanks Jennie! It's so fun to make.
Tora Estep
What a great idea! What about frozen cherries? They might work well (second best to fresh).
Kim Bee
Thank you. I would give frozen a whirl. Maybe just try a small batch to make sure the water content doesn't mess with the vodka. It shouldn't though, I mean we use ice in vodka right. I'm doing a batch with dried cherries. I think it's going to be fabulous.
Cynthia Mathias
Did you ever try with the dried cherries? I searched your site and could not find.
Kim Beaulieu
Hi Cynthia. I did but forgot to share it. I'll try to pick some up this week and start a fresh batch for a post.
In the meantime, it's the same process. Add alcohol to a jar filled with cherries, leave in a dark place for about 2 weeks, then remove and discard the cherries.
I usually give my extracts a shake one or two times during the process.
I'll tag you once I make it and post it. Thanks for the heads up.
Tara Noland
I have never heard of cherry extract and enjoyed your post very much. How do I get on your Christmas list. I have been good all year, honest!!
Kim Bee
I get it from Watson's, they have the coolest stuff. But it's so pricey I needed to come up with another option. Making it is way cheaper. And lol!
Bea
I want to be on your gift list 🙂 - The cherry extract sounds absolutely amazing. What do you think about using frozen cherries? I really love the idea!
Kim Bee
I would totally try frozen. Just make sure they aren't too sopping wet. I bet it would work great.
I spoil my family. I love to cook and make things. And my sis is like me but 100 times more creative and organized, so she makes me look like a slacker. lol
Megan @ I Run For Wine
What a fantastic gift idea! Thanks for sharing.
Kim Bee
Thanks Megan.
Liz
A two ingredient dish? That can be used as a gift? LOVE this idea!!!! I bet it will be fabulous with dried cherry...maybe a little sweeter, which is never bad IMHO 😉
Kim Bee
I know right. So easy. I love sweeter so I had to try the dried version. Crossing fingers it's as good.
Soni
Oh, I just noticed we both have similar blog look 🙂 Your cherry extract looks and sounds delish!Love how easy and simple this is to put together and makes for an ideal holiday gift 🙂
Kim Bee
Very cool. I am so about simple and easy.
The Wimpy Vegetarian
You are the Gift Queen, lunatic or not. I totally want to be on your gift list. For the rest of my life. You've got so many fun ideas, but none better than this cherry extract. I've been wondering about it ever since you posted that you were bringing to our virtual gift exchange today. I love, love, love it, and want to make it as soon as humanly possible. How about frozen cherries??
Kim Bee
I've never tried with frozen so not sure if the moisture content would be an issue. I don't think so though. I'm doing a batch with dried now.
Choc Chip Uru
This is a first my friend but absolutely beautiful - what a great idea 🙂
Cheers
Choc Chip Uru
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Uru. xx
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips
I have never used cherry extract. Pinned this one for next summer! Hmm, I suppose you could even use it to make non-virgin Shirley Temples?
Kim Bee
You gotta try it, so good. It's great for drinks and baking.
Kathia Rodriguez
Super easy, who know.. 🙂
Kim Bee
I know right.
Laura Hunter
So now how do I get one your Christmas gift list? But seriously you have inspired me to get even more creative with my gift giving with amazing recipes like this.
Kim Bee
Lol, I think I'm going to have to do a giveaway with some of my homemade goodies. I love making stuff. It's just so cool to make things for people you adore.
Sarah
this fascinated me - never knew you could do it at home!
Kim Bee
Thanks. It's super easy to do.
Conni Smith
What a great recipe, and I love the bottles!
Kim Bee
Thanks so much Conni!
sunithi
Oooh, so simple... just 2 ingredients. Bet most of the stuff we buy is artificial ... this must be so good ! Will try it sometime !
Kim Bee
It really is so much better cuz there's no chemicals and stuff in it. Simple and fun.
Ramona
I would never have thought making an extract was like this. You are a smart cookie. I bet it makes everything taste yummy. 🙂
Kim Bee
Awe thanks Ramona. I love doing stuff like this. It's great in baked goods.
Janet@FCTC
Hmmmm, I could add some sugar to this and I bet it would make a great cordial.... cause I'm a bad girl like that 😀
Kim Bee
Lol Janet. You go girl.
Kayle (The Cooking Actress)
Whoa. You're like...a genius with homemade gifts.
Kim Bee
Lol, thanks Kayle. I like getting creative.
Fami
I love this idea and can't wait to try my own Cherry Extract... I can smell it already!