1. Line the sterilized jars up on a level countertop. Use a small paring knife to slit the bean from the very top to the very bottom, but do not scrape out the seeds. Merely fold the pod open a little bit so the seeds are exposed.

2. Curl one vanilla bean into each glass jar and fill each jar to the top with vodka, leaving 1/8-inch headspace. Close the jars with the lids and rims without touching the inside of the jar or bottom of the lid.

3. Place the jars in a cool, dark place like a basement or deep cupboard. Once a week gently shake each jar to agitate the bean a little bit. By mid-December the vodka will be a deep brown color and the extract will be ready for use!

4. Once you use up the vanilla extract remove the vanilla pod and stuff it into your sugar jar to make vanilla sugar!