The inspiration for this Christmas Extract recipe was a home made Vanilla Extract recipe that I saw on Pinterest. When I realised how easy that was to make at home it got me thinking, and this is what we came up with.
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We started making our extract at the end of August, so that we could give our concoction time to develop it’s flavours, and ensure that it would work – and it does! This is our own original recipe, our aim was to produce an extract that has all the aromas and flavours of Christmas concentrated into it – add a teaspoon to cakes when baking, mince pies, cocktails, desserts or anything else you can think of.
Not everyone is aware that pine needles are edible, and are in fact high in vitamin C, as well as having other benefits. When foraging please ensure you are 100% sure of what you are picking, and bear in mind that some evergreens such as yew are highly toxic. I also recommend that you provide an ingredient list with any home-made items that you give away as gifts, so the recipient can make an informed choice to whether or not it is suitable for them.
This is what we used and did….
Our Christmas extract is dark and syrupy, and smells like Christmas trees and mince pies, which is exactly what we hoped for. It is very concentrated, and we plan to use it in exactly the same way you would any other extract. When we made it we also made a liqueur version, with exactly the same ingredients but with the added addition of Vodka – here is the recipe for our Christmas Spirit.
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38 comments
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Thank you so much for including our extract recipes in your round-up Nikki, we adore your fabric bags x
The house must smell amazing. I have tried this with half of your ingredients and it was nice but with the rest, it will be even better.
Christmas is an amazing smell π
I am going to use this for infusion. I am fighting dust all winter so I pace swifter sheets on all my heat registers. This recipe will be amazing to make and put on those sheets. Pinning and now I got something else on my must do this week list. Thanks for sharing.
What a great idea Leanna, please let me know how it works π
Oh my soul, this must be amazing Sarah. I never knew about pine needles but it makes sense some how. The combination of vanilla and that beautiful fresh, green pine smell must infuse everything. I can’t wait to try make some.
Isn’t interesting about pine needles, the pollen from pine trees is meant to have some incredible properties too – I haven’t had the chance to try that yet, hopefully I’ll manage to find some next year. Let me know what you think if you try it Michelle π
I’d never have thought of making something like this but I bet it smells amazing!
It really does smell just like Christmas Sarah – we made a liqueur version too which is also lovely π
I love this idea, it’s new to me so I know own my family will be impressed! So, about those pine needles, I’ve never heard of this. I think I’m going to make this and try some different recipes. Thanks for this unique idea.
We were so pleased with how it turned out – and it’s even better this year now it’s matured – it smells amazing!
Fantastic idea! I really like the sound of this.
#howtosundays
Fionnuala from http://www.threesonslater.blogspot.com
It’s got a lovely flavour – we’re putting it in everything, even used it to marinade some meat on the weekend!
This sounds amazing, great idea to make cakes and desserts a little more special. I love that you used pine needles too, that’s definitely one of my favourite Christmas smells!
Thanks so much for linking up to #HowtoSunday π x
Would be perfect for adding to something like shop bought mincemeat to make it a bit more special. We had lots of fun going around an arboretum trying out all their different pine needles – people must have thought we were mad!
Wow! I didn’t know making a homemade one is as easy as this… such a wonderful idea. Thanks for sharing! #HowtoSunday
We’ve been making Vanilla Extract too, in different alcohol bases which has been fun π
The smells have to be one of the best things about Christmas! What a truly brilliant idea. I shall have to try this π Thank you for linking to #PoCoLo x
Isn’t amazing how a smell can instantly transport you to another place and time? With this recipe its really easy to personalise it to what Christmas means to you π
I bet this smells wonderful…thanks for sharing! #PoCoLo
It really does smell yummy π
I had absolutely no idea that pine needles were edible although they are not something I fancy trying! I can just imagine how glorious your extract smells, Christmas has it’s own magical scent doesn’t it?
It really does π . We did chew on a couple of pine needles to see what they were like before we made the extract, and they tasted how you would imagine really – apparently they are loaded with Vitamin C!
Ooh wow this sounds fab! Love a festive smell!! π #pocolo
It really does smell and taste wonderful π
Sounds amazing. Definitely one to try, and great for presents
We make hampers for our family every year, so that’s whats its meant to be for, although we keep sampling the liqueur version so I’ve had to put another batch on!
Oh I just love the idea of a Christmas extract – I’d use it all year round to cheer myself as I’m always happy at Christmas π Actually perhaps I should switch to the Christmas spirit, that definitely sounds like it would perk me up!
Such a great idea, it’s made me smile just thinking about it.
It’s amazing how a smell transports you straight to a place isn’t it? The spirit is super yummy, I’m making more as I’ve half drunk everyone’s Christmas pressies already!
What a fantastic idea! I wish I could scratch and sniff the computer screen, I bet essence of Christmas smells absolutely amazing!
It really does smell great π We made a liqueur version too which tastes gorgeous x
Oh wow this is the perfect accompaniment to cakes and festive cooking. Thanks for sharing
It’s a lovely way to add a little something to a dish. We have a liqueur version too for when you want the Christmas taste without the effort of cooking first!
This is lovely! How creative. I’ve always wanted to make vanilla extract, but I haven’t yet, I’ll have to add this to the list as well! Brilliant!
I have vanilla essence steeping for the first time as well at the moment – doing it in 3 different spirits to see which works best x
Intriguing! I’ve made my own vanilla extract for years, but think I may need up my game a bit. You gave some ideas on how to use it and I’d love to know what specifically you have used it in.
Thanks, Lynn
All the ingredients are listed in the post, but you could adapt it to include whatever Christmas means to you. We also made a liqueur version which is yummy π