Hello, homemaker!
Lately, I’ve been making lots of things with oranges and orange peels. I can’t believe I waited this long to actually do something with them besides simply eating the oranges. Around here, nothing goes to waste if I can help it, and once I started experimenting, I realized just how useful oranges can be in our home.
So far, I’ve made orange cakes using my homemade dry cake mix, used oranges to make wellness shots, used the peels for my favorite all-natural all-purpose cleaner, and now I’ve made homemade orange extract to use for baking and adding to our drinks.
This simple little jar has quickly become one of my favorite pantry staples.
The best part? You only need two ingredients.
Why Make Homemade Orange Extract?
Store-bought extracts can be expensive, and honestly, homemade just feels better. So, instead of tossing them in the trash, you can turn the leftover peels into something useful .
Homemade orange extract has a rich citrus flavor that works beautifully in:
- Cakes and muffins
- Frostings
- Homemade ice cream
- Pancakes and waffles
- Tea and sparkling water
- Holiday baking
- Whipped cream and yogurt
It also smells absolutely wonderful every time you open the jar.
If you already keep oranges in the house, this is an easy way to stretch them a little further and make your kitchen feel even more homey.
Ingredients
You only need:
- Orange peels (3-4 oranges)
- Vodka
That’s it.
The alcohol pulls out all the natural oils and flavor from the peels, creating a fragrant extract that gets better with time.
How to Make Orange Extract
1. Peel the Oranges
Wash your oranges well before peeling.
Try to get mostly the orange part of the peel and avoid too much of the white pith, since that can add bitterness.
I usually save peels little by little until I have enough.
2. Fill a Jar
Place the orange peels into a clean glass jar ( I use these). Pack them in loosely without smashing them down too much.
Pour vodka over the peels until they are completely covered.
3. Let It Sit
Seal the jar tightly and place it in a cool, dark place.
Give it a gentle shake every few days.
You can start using it after about 4–6 weeks, but the flavor gets even better if you let it sit longer.
How I Use Homemade Orange Extract
I love adding a splash to homemade cakes and sweet breads. Sometimes I’ll stir a little into water or tea for a fresh orange flavor.
It’s also lovely in homemade whipped cream or vanilla frosting.
And honestly, just having jars of homemade extracts lined up on the pantry shelf feels like such a simple homemade luxury.
Looking for More Homemade Ideas?
Take a look around the blog for more simple, from-scratch recipes and homemaking inspiration.
A Simple Way to Waste Less
One of the things I've been really intentional lately is learning how to use what we already have. Orange peels may seem small, but they can become so many useful things around the home.
Instead of throwing them away, you can turn them into homemade extracts, natural cleaners, drinks, baked goods, and so much more.
Little by little, those small habits really do add up.
There’s something so satisfying about making use of every part of what we bring into our home.
How about you? Have you ever used orange peels before?
