How to Make Homemade Almond Extract (Crème de Noyeaux)

A simple homemade almond extract recipe for using in drinks and baked goods. Makes 12 oz or 1.5 cups.

Rating

5 stars (14 reviews)

homamde almond extract recipe

3 oz Stone fruit pits (approximately 1/2 cup )
12 oz Vodka or flavorless alchohol (80 proof )
1/4 cup Simple syrup or maple syrup (simple syrup is equal parts sugar and water )

Remove the fruit pits and put in a dehydrator at 150 F for 12 hours or until brittle.
Crack the fruit pits and remove the stones. Discard the shells.
Cherry pits can be cracked or crushed whole as they're very small. I use the shell and seed if I'm making it with them.
Roughly chop or crush the fruit pits, then put in a mason jar, add the vodka and sugar. Screw on a tight, non-reactive lid. Put the jar in the fridge and allow to infuse for 4 weeks.
I've had extracts become usable after a week, but you'll want to wait a month or two for the best flavor.
Strain the extract into a bottle, add the sugar or maple to taste.
label it with the name and date and refrigerate until needed. Discard the fruit seeds.
Unlike some extracts that are stored in a cool dark place, this should always be refrigerated for the strongest almond flavor.

Sara on 2025-04-02 (5 stars):
Yes. At least that’s what I do.
Bill May on 2024-05-16 (5 stars):
Ha ha. I just came here to mention the bang for my buck I was getting using loquat seeds and I see Erik actually beat me to it. I'd been gradually adding cherry pits and peach pits over the last month but then last week bought a nice batch of loquats, happened to read a bit about the poisonous seeds and put two and two together. Was going to ask again how nervous I should be about poisoning myself, particularly since loquats aren't closely related to stone fruits, but I sort of assume the chemistry is the same. Big pits that don't need cracking, though, and delicious fruit!
LISA Kowalski on 2024-03-02 (5 stars):
Very interesting. I didn’t know to crack them open, but I tried extracting with the pits before. We have a cherry tree and plum that I will save seeds from and give this a try again. I can’t wait.
LISA Kowalski on 2024-03-02 (5 stars):
#truth
JudyK on 2024-02-24 (5 stars):
Thanks for this post, Alan. I haven't tried this yet, but intend to do so next cherry or plum season. I liked all the ideas for how to use the finished extract, as well.