1Cut one 47-gram pack of vanilla splits into pieces and add them to the blender.
2Cut one 47-gram pack of vanilla splits into pieces and add them to the blender.
3Cut one 47-gram pack of vanilla splits into pieces and add them to the blender.
4Add 3 ounces (1/3 cup) of water to the blender.
5Add 3 ounces (1/3 cup) of water to the blender.
6Add 3 ounces (1/3 cup) of water to the blender.
7Add 8 ounces (1 cup) of sugar to the blender.
8Add 8 ounces (1 cup) of sugar to the blender.
9Add 8 ounces (1 cup) of sugar to the blender.
10Add 6 ounces (3/4 cup) of alcohol (vodka, light rum, or bourbon) to the blender.
11Add 6 ounces (3/4 cup) of alcohol (vodka, light rum, or bourbon) to the blender.
12Add 6 ounces (3/4 cup) of alcohol (vodka, light rum, or bourbon) to the blender.
13Add 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of light corn syrup to prevent possible crystallization of the sugar.
14Add 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of light corn syrup to prevent possible crystallization of the sugar.
15Add 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) of light corn syrup to prevent possible crystallization of the sugar.
16Blend on the highest power until the entire vanilla pods are ground into the same texture as the seeds and the liquid is dark.
17Blend on the highest power until the entire vanilla pods are ground into the same texture as the seeds and the liquid is dark.
18Blend on the highest power until the entire vanilla pods are ground into the same texture as the seeds and the liquid is dark.
19Once finished, turn the blender to low and add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum (optional, but it keeps the vanilla caviar suspended in the paste).
20Once finished, turn the blender to low and add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum (optional, but it keeps the vanilla caviar suspended in the paste).
21Once finished, turn the blender to low and add 1/4 teaspoon of xanthan gum (optional, but it keeps the vanilla caviar suspended in the paste).
22Store the paste in an airtight container.
23Store the paste in an airtight container.
24Store the paste in an airtight container.
Ingredients
47 grams vanilla splits
47 grams vanilla splits
47 grams vanilla splits
3 ounces water
3 ounces water
3 ounces water
8 ounces sugar
8 ounces sugar
8 ounces sugar
6 ounces vodka
6 ounces vodka
6 ounces vodka
1 ounce light corn syrup
1 ounce light corn syrup
1 ounce light corn syrup
0.25 teaspoon xanthan gum
0.25 teaspoon xanthan gum
0.25 teaspoon xanthan gum
Equipment
high-speed blendersmall pitcher or cupairtight containerkitchen scissors
Tips
If you only have a large blender, double the recipe to make a quart of paste, as it may not blend smoothly with fewer ingredients.
The paste can be used immediately, but its flavor will intensify as it sits.
Vanilla paste is used 1:1 as a substitute for extract.
It can be used in place of scraping out vanilla caviar when you want to show the appealing specks of vanilla bean in things like ice cream and custards.
Splits are preferred over moist vanilla beans because their lack of moisture means a more intense flavor and they are cheaper.