Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe
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This Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe is a quick and easy way to infuse your sugar with rich vanilla flavor. Perfect for baking, coffee, or as a thoughtful gift – ready in minutes but best after a few days of infusing!
Swap vanilla sugar into recipes requiring granulated sugar, elevate your morning coffee experience, or sprinkle it as a delicious garnish on your baked goods. Vanilla sugar offers an excellent method to repurpose leftover vanilla beans from making homemade vanilla extract and doubles as a gourmet gift, especially for the baker or coffee lover.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to Make: With just two ingredients and minimal effort, you can create a gourmet staple right at home.
- Versatile: Elevate your everyday recipes, from cookies and cakes to tea and whipped cream.
- Cost-Effective: Skip the store-bought versions and make your own for a fraction of the price.
- Great Gift Idea: Package it in pretty jars for holidays, hostess gifts, or favors – everyone loves this sweet touch!
Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe
Vanilla sugar is one of those kitchen essentials that adds a luxurious depth of flavor to so many dishes. I love keeping a jar on hand for sprinkling over fresh fruit, stirring into my morning coffee, or using in my favorite baked goods. It’s incredibly simple to prepare and far superior to anything you can buy pre-made. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up those spent vanilla beans from other recipes!
Homemade Vanilla Sugar Ingredients
Be sure to see the recipe card below for the full listing of ingredients, instructions, notes, and estimated nutritional information.
- Granulated Sugar: Use regular white granulated sugar for the best infusion. It absorbs the vanilla essence beautifully. You can also experiment with other types, like turbinado, for a coarser texture.
- Vanilla Beans: Whole vanilla beans are key here. Look for plump, moist beans for maximum flavor. Madagascar or Tahitian varieties work wonderfully. If you have used beans from making vanilla extract, they’re perfect for this, too! You can use either Grade A or B vanilla beans based on your preference. Grade A beans are considered prime or gourmet beans, while Grade B beans are typically recommended for use in extracts. Both work well in making vanilla extract and vanilla sugar. You can find vanilla beans in your grocery store as well as online. I prefer to use an organic vanilla bean from a reputable brand. I have personally used the following vanilla bean brands with great success: Vanilla Bean Kings, Beanilla, and Cook’s.
Step by Step Instructions
- Prepare vanilla beans.
- Combine ingredients.
- Infuse.
- Use and store.
Tips for the Best Vanilla Sugar
- For quicker infusion, pulse the vanilla beans and sugar together in a food processor before adding them to the jar.
- Reuse the vanilla pods multiple times until the flavor diminishes.
- If you don’t have whole beans, you can substitute with vanilla bean paste, but using whole vanilla beans gives the most authentic result.
Variations
Brown Vanilla Sugar: Use brown sugar instead of white for a molasses-rich version perfect for fall baking.
Citrus Vanilla Sugar: Add strips of orange or lemon zest for a bright twist.
Spiced Vanilla Sugar: Mix in cinnamon sticks or cardamom pods for a warm, aromatic blend.
Perpetual Vanilla Sugar
Store your vanilla sugar in a large container. I use a 64-ounce container, but choose the size that works best for you. As you use or decant from this jar, periodically top it off with additional sugar and vanilla beans when needed. As you add more, add the sugar and stir (or shake, depending on the container) to ensure the sugar and vanilla are well combined.
How to Store
Store your homemade vanilla sugar in an airtight container in a cool, dark location, such as your pantry. Since the vanilla beans have some moisture, I store my vanilla sugar as I would brown sugar. I place a terracotta disc; you can find them online and in baking supply stores like recommended for storing with brown sugar and cookies. It keeps the vanilla sugar from clumping while stored. If stored properly, it will keep indefinitely, but the flavor is best within 6 to 12 months. If left with the beans in, it continues to infuse over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vanilla sugar is granulated sugar infused with vanilla, great for dry applications, while extract is liquid and used in batters or liquids.
It’s not ideal, as the liquid would cause the sugar to clump. Stick to beans for the best texture.
Yes, naturally! Just ensure your sugar is certified gluten-free if needed.
More Vanilla Recipes You’ll Love
If you tried this Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 vanilla beans
Instructions
- Prepare the Vanilla Beans: Using a sharp knife, split the vanilla beans lengthwise to expose the seeds inside. Scrape out the seeds (caviar) with the back of the knife.
- Combine Ingredients: In a clean jar or airtight container, add the granulated sugar. Bury the split vanilla beans and scraped seeds into the sugar, ensuring they’re well distributed.
- Infuse: Seal the jar tightly and let it sit at room temperature for at least 1-2 weeks, shaking occasionally to redistribute the contents. The longer it sits, the stronger the vanilla flavor!
- Use and Store: Once infused, remove the beans if desired (or leave them in for ongoing flavor). Use as desired, removing pods if preferred.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Enjoy!
Robyn xo
