How to Make Vanilla Sugar
If you enjoy making vanilla extract and using vanilla in your baking, you are going to love this vanilla sugar! Not only is it easy to make but it adds a subtle but delicious vanilla flavor to everything that it’s added to. This vanilla sugar can also make a beautiful gift for a loved one or serve as your everyday baking sweetener.
Why make vanilla Sugar?
By making vanilla sugar from leftover beans used to make vanilla extract, you are essentially getting a fun additional baking ingredient for free.
Whether for Christmas, a birthday or “just because”, this would make a beautiful gift to the person in your life that loves to bake.
How to use Vanilla Sugar
Vanilla sugar can be used in any baking that calls for regular cane sugar and when you want to add a bit of extra vanilla flavor. Since the overall volume of the final product does not change, you can use the same amount as you would regular cane sugar. Other than baking, this is great added to a chai concentrate, homemade coffee creamer or homemade vanilla ice cream.
The kind of vanilla beans to use
Most commonly, you will see Madagascar and Tahitian vanilla beans. These are typically the same vanilla beans that are used for vanilla extract. Although these names mainly refer to the location where the beans are grown, the growing conditions have been known to change the flavor. If you have a favorite type or grade of vanilla bean, you can use that here.
Where to find Vanilla Beans
You may find vanilla beans in a local grocery store. However, they are likely much more expensive per ounce than if you buy them online or through a bulk seller.
Some common places where you can find both of these types of beans include Amazon and Etsy.
Looking for more recipes with vanilla beans? You might enjoy:
How long does it take to make vanilla sugar?
By simply setting the vanilla beans in a container with cane sugar, it will take approximately 4-8 weeks to infuse. The longer you let the beans sit in the sugar, the more flavor will infuse into the sugar.
Ingredients and tools
4 cups Cane Sugar – I use a raw, organic cane sugar but any cane sugar should work
6-12 Vanilla Beans – If you are reusing beans that were used to make extract, be sure the beans are fully dry before using. This will ensure you avoid bringing extra moisture into the mix.
A storage container with an airtight lid
Directions
Add sugar to your storage container
Add vanilla beans and cover with sugar.
Let the vanilla bean and sugar mixture sit for at least 4-8 weeks. Every 5-10 days, shake the storage container to redistribute the vanilla beans.
You may keep the beans in the same storage container until use. As long as there is a low moisture content, the mixture should not go bad. The beans will continue to infuse as they sit in the sugar.
FAQ:
Why make Vanilla Sugar?
If you make this using beans that you’ve just used to make vanilla extract, you are essentially getting a fun additional baking ingredient for free. This vanilla sugar can also be an easy gift to the person in your life that loves to bake.
How long does it take to make?
If you simply set the vanilla beans in a container with cane sugar, it will take approximately 4-8 weeks to infuse. The longer you let the beans sit in the sugar, the more flavor will infuse into the sugar.
How to use vanilla sugar
This can be used in any baking that calls for regular cane sugar and when you want to add a bit of extra vanilla flavor. Since the overall volume of the final product does not change, you can use the same amount as you would regular cane sugar. Other than baking, this is great added to a chai concentrate, homemade coffee creamer or homemade vanilla ice cream.
What kind of vanilla beans to use?
Most commonly, you will see Madagascar and Tahitian vanilla beans. These are typically the same vanilla beans that are used for vanilla extract. Although these names mainly refer to the location where the beans are grown, the growing conditions can change the flavor. If you have a favorite type or grade of vanilla bean, you can use that here.
Where to find Vanilla Beans
You may find vanilla beans in a local grocery store. However, they are likely much more expensive per ounce than if you buy them online or through a bulk seller. Some common places where you can find both of these types of beans include Amazon and Etsy.
Did you try this? Share your creations in the comments or by tagging @MissysHomestead on Instagram.
How to Make Vanilla Sugar
Equipment
- Airtight storage container
Materials
- 4 cups Cane Sugar
- 6-12 Vanilla Beans Beans that were previously used to make vanilla extract work well
Instructions
- Add sugar to your storage container
- Add vanilla beans and cover with sugar.
- Let the vanilla bean and sugar mixture sit for at least 4-8 weeks. Every 5-10 days, shake the storage container to redistribute the vanilla beans.
- You may keep the beans in the same storage container until use. As long as there is a low moisture content, the mixture should not go bad. The beans will continue to infuse as they sit in the sugar.
