Homemade Vanilla Extract Gift + Shortbread Cookies

Berry baskets with amber bottles of vanilla and small package of shortbread cookie toed up wiith bakers twine.

Back in June, we shared the simple process of making homemade vanilla extract, and now–after several months of steeping–it’s ready for holiday gifting.

Why homemade vanilla makes a lovely gift

Making homemade vanilla could not be easier, but it does take time. Homemade vanilla uses quality whole vanilla beans from Madagascar and Vodka. The color is warm and beautiful, as is the flavor and scent of vanilla.

It feels special because you can’t rush making homemade vanilla. It takes at least six months.

Making it in the summer and gifting it at the holidays is a simple way to give a homemade gift that they can use to create something homemade, like cookies, scones, or cakes, or even add to hot cocoa. Everyone uses vanilla throughout the year.

Packaging the little bottles of vanilla for gifting – What you will need:

2-ounce amber glass bottles
A label – hand-drawn on a sticker or added as a tag
Twine or ribbon
A small package of holiday cookies

Our favorite shortbread cookies to pair with the bottle of vanilla

Shortbread cookies wrapped up in bags with brown and white baker's twine.

To make it more like a little gift, we made our favorite chocolate-chunk shortbread cookies. You can find the recipe here.

Assembling the gift

Pour vanilla into small amber bottles with labels.

Place the little bottle of vanilla in a cardboard berry crate with a little paper shred.
Wrap a few cookies in small bags, then tie them up with twine like a present.
I used brown-and-white check gingham ribbon on the bottles and brown-and-white baker’s twine on the cookie packages.
I made labels using stickers from a sheet of mailing labels.
If sending by mail, wrap the small crates in bubble wrap and place them inside a cardboard box slightly larger than the crates.
You could add a recipe card or note for the cookies and or homemade vanilla.

Baskets with bottles of vanilla in baskets with shortbread cookies and small square boxes with tinsel and cream ribbon.

At the holidays, it’s nice to give a little homemade gift. Make sure to visit my original vanilla post from June. Sending you the warmest holiday wishes… happy baking!

Gift box supplies to package up vanilla extract and cookies for gifts.

2-ounce amber bottles // baker’s twine // gingham ribbon // tinsel ribbon // small treat sacks// berry crates // black corrugated boxes // paper shred // small roll bubble wrap

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