Ever thought about turning your everyday sugar into a luxurious, aromatic treat? Let me show you how to make your own vanilla sugar, an irresistible upgrade for your coffee, tea, or baked creations. Trust me, after tasting this, you’ll wonder why you didn’t do it sooner!
I enjoy making something as uncomplicated and aromatic as vanilla sugar. This subtly sweet ingredient makes a great addition to almost any dessert because it does what sugar is supposed to do: make things taste more like themselves and less like they’re missing something.
When I say “mindful baking,” I mean I try not to use too many ingredients that are just empty calories. This sugar is not.
It’s efficient. In this recipe, you also get the bonus of a great vanilla flavor that carries into the other dessert components.
And it’s simple.
Vanilla Sugar Recipe Ingredients
- Granulated Sugar: A carbohydrate that sweetens.
It can add calories without essential nutrients.
- Vanilla Bean: Naturally aromatic, providing depth and warmth.
Contains trace antioxidants.
Vanilla Sugar Recipe Ingredient Quantities
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
How to Make this Vanilla Sugar Recipe
1. Collect 2 cups of sugar that has been made granulated and 1 bean of vanilla.
2. With a sharp knife, split the vanilla bean lengthwise to expose the seeds.
3. Using the back of the knife, scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean.
4. Put granulated sugar in a medium mixing bowl.
5. Add the scraped seeds of vanilla to the sugar in the bowl.
6. Chop the vanilla bean into smaller pieces and add them to the sugar for ultra premium flavor. Mix together with your hands. Let sit for 24 hours.
7. Combine the sugar and the vanilla seeds. Use a whisk or spoon to mix them together until they are evenly distributed throughout the sugar.
8. Move the vanilla sugar blend to a container that is airtight.
9. Tightly seal the container and allow it to sit for a minimum of one week. This step is crucial and must not be skipped; it allows the flavors to meld.
10. Sweeten coffee, tea, or baking as you wish with the vanilla sugar. It makes a lovely addition to all three.
Vanilla Sugar Recipe Equipment Needed
1. Measuring cups
2. Sharp knife
3. Cutting board
4. Medium mixing bowl
5. Spoon or whisk
6. Airtight container
FAQ
- What is the purpose of the vanilla bean in this recipe?Infusing the sugar with a rich, aromatic vanilla flavor makes it ideal for baking or sweetening beverages.
- Can I substitute vanilla extract for the vanilla bean?Using vanilla extract is acceptable; however, the intensity of vanilla flavor will not be as pronounced, and the appearance of the sugar will not be as speckled.
- How long does it take for the vanilla flavor to infuse into the sugar?For optimal flavor infusion, the mixture should be allowed to sit for a minimum of one to two weeks.
- How should I store the vanilla sugar?Keep in a container that is airtight in a place that is cool and dry. This ensures the continued freshness and flavor of your item.
- Can I reuse the vanilla bean?You can certainly reuse the vanilla bean. When the initial supply is all used up, just add more sugar to the container.
- What are some uses for vanilla sugar?For baking, coffee, tea, or as a topping for delicate fresh fruit and oatmeal, vanilla sugar is a wonderful thing.
- Is it possible to make this recipe with less sugar?You can indeed modify the quantity of sugar, but be certain to cut the vanilla bean correctly so that it still does its job of infusing the sugar.
Vanilla Sugar Recipe Substitutions and Variations
Sugar, in the form of granules, is the substance that sweetens food and drink, and it is also used in cooking, especially in the baking of cakes and the making of confections. Granulated sugar is usually the kind that people have in their homes. This is the basic, everyday sugar, and it is known scientifically as sucrose. Even though it is referred to as granulated sugar, it is not the only kind of sugar that can be found in a kitchen. Other forms of sugar include powdered sugar, packed brown sugar, and sugar syrup.
Coconut sugar
Sugar alternatives such as erythritol or monk fruit sweetener.
Brown sugar
Vanilla beans: fine, fragrant, sweet-smelling material. In addition, vanilla itself is a chemical compound present in the beans, imparting to them their characteristic scent and flavor. Delectable smelling, mainly thanks to coumarin, a compound associated with many fragrances. A lesser-known secret about vanilla beans is that most of what we smell and taste when consuming dishes flavored with vanilla is not actually coming from the chemicals within the beans themselves but from the enzymes in our saliva. Coumarin, which chemically smells like vanilla, is not found in the beans but is used to flavor vanillin, a compound that is found in the beans.
1 tbsp vanilla extract
1 tablespoon vanilla paste
Vanilla flavoring, artificially made.
Pro Tips
1. Use High-Quality Vanilla Beans The quality of vanilla beans can greatly influence the flavor of your vanilla sugar. Opt for plump, moist, and aromatic vanilla beans for the best results.
2. Pulse in a Blender for Even Distribution After mixing the vanilla seeds and sugar, pulse the mixture in a blender or food processor for a few seconds. This helps achieve a finer texture and ensures even distribution of the vanilla throughout the sugar.
3. Dry the Vanilla Bean First Before chopping the vanilla bean, consider letting it air dry for an hour or so. This makes it easier to break into smaller pieces that can be evenly distributed within the sugar.
4. Infusion Time Although the recipe recommends letting the mixture sit for a week, letting it infuse for two weeks or even up to a month will yield a stronger vanilla flavor. Keep tasting to find your perfect flavor intensity.
5. Store in a Dark, Cool Place To preserve the vanilla sugar’s flavor and prevent the sugar from clumping, store the airtight container in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight or heat sources.
Vanilla Sugar Recipe
My favorite Vanilla Sugar Recipe
Equipment Needed:
1. Measuring cups
2. Sharp knife
3. Cutting board
4. Medium mixing bowl
5. Spoon or whisk
6. Airtight container
Ingredients:
- 2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean, split and scraped
Instructions:
1. Collect 2 cups of sugar that has been made granulated and 1 bean of vanilla.
2. With a sharp knife, split the vanilla bean lengthwise to expose the seeds.
3. Using the back of the knife, scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean.
4. Put granulated sugar in a medium mixing bowl.
5. Add the scraped seeds of vanilla to the sugar in the bowl.
6. Chop the vanilla bean into smaller pieces and add them to the sugar for ultra premium flavor. Mix together with your hands. Let sit for 24 hours.
7. Combine the sugar and the vanilla seeds. Use a whisk or spoon to mix them together until they are evenly distributed throughout the sugar.
8. Move the vanilla sugar blend to a container that is airtight.
9. Tightly seal the container and allow it to sit for a minimum of one week. This step is crucial and must not be skipped; it allows the flavors to meld.
10. Sweeten coffee, tea, or baking as you wish with the vanilla sugar. It makes a lovely addition to all three.