Homemade vanilla sugar is a simple yet luxurious ingredient that you can easily prepare at home. All you need are granulated sugar and high-quality vanilla beans. This fragrant sugar is perfect for enhancing coffee, tea, cookies, cakes, pastries, and even homemade bread. You can also use it as a sweet gift idea for friends and family.
Vanilla sugar is popular in baking and cooking because it adds a rich, aromatic flavor that plain sugar cannot provide. Making it at home is cost-effective, and you can control the intensity of the vanilla taste by adjusting the number of beans you use.
Why Make Homemade Vanilla Sugar?
Homemade vanilla sugar is fresher and more flavorful than store-bought versions. It is also free from artificial flavors or additives. You can use it as a substitute for regular sugar in beverages, desserts, and recipes, giving your dishes a gourmet touch.
Ingredients
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 2 Madagascar vanilla beans, Grade A
Instructions
- Prepare a clean, dry, and sanitized storage jar with a tight-fitting lid. A mason jar works perfectly.
- Place the granulated sugar into a medium-sized bowl.
- Cut the vanilla beans open lengthwise using a sharp knife or kitchen scissors. Scrape out the tiny vanilla seeds inside with a spoon.
- Add the vanilla seeds to the bowl of sugar. Mix thoroughly with a spoon or whisk until evenly distributed.
- Place the sugar into the prepared storage jar. Insert the scraped vanilla bean pods into the sugar, cutting them in half if necessary to fit inside the jar.
- Seal the jar tightly and let the sugar infuse for at least 14 days. For a stronger flavor, allow it to sit longer.
- Use vanilla sugar as needed in recipes, beverages, or baking. Properly stored, it will last for months.
Storage Tips
Keep the jar sealed in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The longer the beans sit in the sugar, the deeper the flavor becomes.
Serving Suggestions
- Stir into hot coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.
- Sprinkle over fresh fruit, oatmeal, or yogurt.
- Use in baking recipes like cookies, cakes, or muffins.
- Add to homemade whipped cream for extra flavor.
Nutrition
Serving Size: 1 teaspoon
Calories: 16 kcal