How to Make Vanilla Sugar
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Learning how to make vanilla sugar is easy! It’s sweet with a hint of vanilla, and goes perfect in your hot or cold drinks and other food recipes where you want to turn up the flavor a bit. It also makes a beautiful gift for the cook in your life!
Vanilla sugar is the kind of decadent ingredient that you will pull out for guests, but can be an any-time ingredient for your family, too. A small jar next to morning oatmeal or other homemade cereals is perfect for adding just the right amount of sweetness and sugar.
A sprinkle of this delicious sugar on sugar cookies or baked apples is heavenly.
You can also keep a mason jar handy for your hot and cold beverages like coffee, tea (hot or cold), homemade fruit juices, and hot cocoa!
Tips
Making vanilla sugar at home is cheaper than buying pre-made vanilla sugar. And although you can achieve the same vanilla sugar effect by using a mixture of vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste with sugar, using vanilla beans is prettier and lasts longer.
Plus, you can reuse your beans for more batches of vanilla sugar. The same can’t be said of the extract and the vanilla paste.
Vanilla Beans
For best results, use organic vanilla beans from Madagascar, if you can. Grade A vanilla pods from Madagascar are gourmet and have a rich and creamy flavor along with heavenly aroma. That’s what you want for flavored sugar.
However, if you can’t get Madagascar vanilla beans, don’t worry. Other vanilla beans will work, too.
Also, splitting the vanilla bean in half will enhance the flavor of your vanilla sugar.
Sugar
Since this recipe has only two ingredients, pick your sugar wisely. Use a good quality granulated sugar.
I prefer using organic cane sugar, but regular sugar also works. You will want to avoid powdered sugar, confectioner sugar, or other sugars with more than “cane sugar” as an ingredient.
Also, if you will be using your vanilla sugar to preserve edible flowers for future use, use the extra fine granulated sugar.
Airtight Container
You want to be able to see your beautiful vanilla sugar, and you want to keep it fresh. So choose a clear, airtight container for your vanilla sugar. Glass mason jars are beautiful, functional, and economical! You can also use recycled jars.
Clumping
Your vanilla sugar will probably start to clump up as the moisture is absorbed into the sugar. But don’t be alarmed. The sugar will easily break apart if you scrape it with a spoon or fork prior to use. I don’t find that it’s that big of an issue.
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How to Make Vanilla Sugar
This easy and versatile recipe will make a flavorful addition to top your sugar cookies, cupcakes, or even your drinks. It’s a delicious way to add a burst of vanilla flavor to a lot of recipes. It’s also a cheap handmade gift for the foodies in your life!
Ingredients
Vanilla beans – Use one or two vanilla beans. If your vanilla bean is about 6 inches long, you can use just one.
Sugar – You will need 1 cup of granulated cane sugar.
Tools You May Need
Cutting board – Cutting your vanilla bean in half will speed up the process of infusing the sugar with vanilla.
Sharp knife or scissors – For cutting your vanilla bean.
Air-tight container – I love using 8 ounce glass mason jars but you can use any size jar as long as it has an airtight lid.
Spoon – You will need a spoon, ladle, or scoop to pour the sugar into your container.
Funnel – This is optional, but would come in handy if you’re a bit messy with the sugar.
Steps
First, get out one or two vanilla beans, your sugar, and the container and spoon you plan on using. Then, cut your vanilla bean in half lengthwise, and then crosswise in a few different pieces small enough for your container.
Add a few spoonfuls of sugar to the bottom of your container.
Then add a few pieces of vanilla bean to your jar of sugar.
Next, add more sugar to cover the vanilla beans and repeat the steps. You are creating layers of sugar and vanilla bean, which will infuse the sugar with the delicious flavor and aroma of vanilla.
Continue up your jar until your jar is full of sugar and vanilla bean. Then add a bit more sugar to cover your bean.
Make sure to add your airtight lid and label your jar.
Set your jar in a cool, dry location. The vanilla will infuse the sugar over the next 1 to 2 weeks!
Your sugar will last for up to a year with the vanilla bean inside. If you happen to run out of infused sugar, simply add more sugar and reuse the same beans!
Ways to Use Vanilla Sugar
Meat marinade – I love to throw a frozen pork roast in the Instant Pot on busy days and have lunch ready an hour later. You can marinate pork in some vanilla sugar the night before, or simply sprinkle some vanilla sugar on top of a frozen roast. The flavor will penetrate and make your pulled pork extra delicious.
Fruit desserts – Add vanilla sugar on top of baked apples, peaches and cream, or other fruit-based desserts for additional flavor and sweetness.
Drinks – Use vanilla sugar in hot or cold drinks when you want to add a hint of warm vanilla. You can also moisten the rim of a mug, dip the rim in a bowl of vanilla sugar, and add your favorite hot chocolate.
I have a recipe for a healthy hot chocolate if you want to learn how to make it!
Cakes, cupcakes, and muffins – Adding sprinkled vanilla sugar to top your cakes, cupcakes, and muffins will give you an extra flavor punch.
Cookies – Add a sprinkle of vanilla sugar to top your sugar cookies or tea cookies when you want a hint of extra vanilla. I have a great recipe for cream cheese sugar cookies if you want to give it a try!
French toast and waffles – Add vanilla sugar to top your french toast and waffles to impress your family and turn up the flavor.
Candied vegetables – On special holidays, I like to make candied yams or candied carrots. A sprinkle of vanilla sugar instead of plain sugar or brown sugar will add a little extra delicious flavor.
Candied nuts – Candied nuts are great gifts and snacks. Try adding some vanilla sugar the next time you make it and see how you like it.
Homemade gift – Flavored sugars are a thoughtful, beautiful, and cheap gift to give the entertainers and cooks in your life during the holiday season. I highly recommend making a few different varieties as a sampler!
Recipe Card
Simple and Versatile Vanilla Sugar Recipe
Equipment
- airtight container (mason jars are great)
- cutting board
- knife or scissors
- spoon
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated cane sugar
- 1 vanilla bean (up to 2 vanilla beans)
Instructions
- First, cut your vanilla bean(s) in half lengthwise, and then again in three sections crosswise or small enough to fit inside your container.
- Add some sugar to the bottom of your airtight container, and then add 2 or 3 pieces of vanilla bean.
- Add more sugar and vanilla bean, working in layers up your container.
- When your container is full, cover the beans with sugar, add the lid, label your jar, and set it out of direct sunlight in a cool, dry place. Your sugar will be infused with vanilla flavor and ready to use in about 2 weeks, and will last up to one year.
Recipe Variations
Quick Vanilla Sugar – If you need a quicker version of this recipe and can’t wait 1 to 2 weeks, simply add 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract to 2 cups of sugar and mix it well.
Just keep in mind that this version may not last as long as if you had used just vanilla beans with sugar. Be sure to smell your vanilla sugar after 6 months to make sure it smells right. If it smells “off”, toss it.
If you want to make homemade vanilla extract, I have a alcohol-free vanilla extract recipe and a traditional vanilla extract recipe!
Alternative Sweeteners – If you don’t want to use granulated cane sugar, try using coconut sugar, date sugar, or maple sugar. You can also use dark brown sugar and light brown sugar.
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