Hazelnut Extract Starter Jar Recipe
With roasted hazelnuts, vodka, and a simple glass jar, you can start a homemade baking extract and let your recipient finish the infusion at home. Tie on a ribbon, add clear instructions, and you have a thoughtful gift for someone who loves making cookies, brownies, and other kitchen treats.
Equipment
- 1 16 ounce mason jar
Ingredients
- 1 cup unsalted roasted hazelnuts with as much loose skin removed as practical
- 1 cup plain vodka at least 80 proof, plus a little more if needed to cover the nuts
Instructions
- Prepare the hazelnuts. Use fresh-tasting nuts without a stale or rancid smell. If you roast them yourself, let them cool completely before starting.
- Chop the nuts. Chop them into small pieces to expose more surface area. Avoid processing them into nut butter.
- Fill the jar. Place the chopped hazelnuts in the clean, dry jar.
- Add the vodka. Pour in the vodka, making sure the nuts are covered. Add a little more if necessary. Leave room to shake the mixture.
- Seal and date. Close the lid tightly and write the starting date on the label.
- Let it infuse. Keep the jar in a cool, dark cupboard and shake gently every few days.
- Check and strain. Begin checking the aroma and a small taste after 2–4 weeks. If the hazelnut flavor is too light, allow more time and check weekly. Once you like the flavor, strain out the nuts, then filter the liquid through a coffee filter if desired.
Notes
Bottle the extract. Transfer it to a clean, dry bottle with a tight-fitting cap.
This recipe adapts the equal-volume hazelnut-and-alcohol approach describe