According to FDA guidelines, pure vanilla extract must contain at least 35% alcohol. Since it’s an extract, very little alcohol is consumed—plus, it evaporates during baking. If you still prefer ...

A corked bottle of vanilla extract with vanilla beans and a vanilla flower - Pixel-Shot/Shutterstock Pure vanilla extract is one of the few pantry staples that naturally has an indefinite shelf-life.

Vanilla extract is a powerful force in the kitchen. Made with just vanilla beans, alcohol, and water ( except for alcohol-free versions, which contain vanilla bean extractives, glycerin, and water), ...