Vanilla Sugar Recipe (2024)

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Posted by Aimee 5 comments
Published: Oct 26, 2020 Last Updated: Oct 3, 2023

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Elevate your baked goods with this recipe for homemade Vanilla Sugar! Infused with aromatic vanilla from whole beans, vanilla sugar makes your favorite desserts even more delicious.

Learning how to make vanilla sugar is a baking game changer. I’ve been doing it for years and it’s high time I share my method with all of you! Once you’ve mastered vanilla sugar, learn how to make vanilla extract with my easy recipe!

Vanilla Sugar Recipe (1)

What is Vanilla Sugar?

Vanilla Sugar is just regular sugar that’s given a vanilla flavored upgrade!

You let a jar of granulated white sugar “marinate” with a whole vanilla bean until every bit of the sugar carries the fragrance and flavor of vanilla.

  • When you have vanilla infused sugar on hand, you can use it in cookies, cakes and other baked goods where you’d usually add vanilla extract. The depth of flavor it adds is incredible!
  • Best of all, it takes virtually no effort to make vanilla sugar. All you need is time and a little bit of patience.
  • Add a cut vanilla bean pod and its seeds to sugar and let it sit for at least a week before using. That’s it!

Ingredient Notes

This recipe is all about one magical ingredient: vanilla beans.

Did you know that vanilla actually comes from orchids? Pods filled with vanilla seeds are harvested from the flowers, dried and aged.

We should all hope to age as beautifully as a dried vanilla bean, am I right?

Without them, we’d have no vanilla ice cream, no vanilla fudge and everything from birthday cake to coffee creamer would taste a lot flatter.

That’s a lot of power in one little bean!

You have a few options when it comes to variety of vanilla beans. Different types of beans will lend different flavor notes and characteristics to your vanilla sugar.

Types of Vanilla Beans

Madagascar Vanilla, also called bourbon vanilla, is one of the easiest vanilla beans to find.

  • If you see vanilla beans on the shelf and the variety isn’t labeled, it’s probably a Madagascar vanilla bean.
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  • It has a buttery, creamy taste that’s characteristic of the vanilla treats you know and love. Always a good choice for making vanilla sugar!

Mexican Vanilla Beans are also common.

  • It has a bolder flavor than Madagascar type and even a little bit of smokiness.
  • Sugar made with Mexican Vanilla Beans will bring the vanilla taste right to the forefront of whatever you put it in.
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Indian Vanilla and Tahitian Vanilla beans are other good options.

  • They have a little more of a rich, chocolate-like flavor than the other two.
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  • If you have options, choose the beans that have a glossy exterior and are firm to the touch but not brittle. They shouldn’t look shriveled or dry. Make sure to keep the whole vanilla beans sealed and away from heat and light until you’re ready to use them!

Recipe FAQs

Can you substitute vanilla extract for vanilla beans in vanilla sugar?

Unfortunately no. The beans (and the pods) are what give this vanilla sugar it’s rich taste.

Is vanilla sugar the same as granulated sugar?

When used in baking, you can substitute vanilla sugar 1:1 for granulated sugar. It gives a rich vanilla flavor to all your baked goods. It can also be used to sweeten coffee.

How do you scrape a vanilla bean pod?

Slice your whole pod lengthwise down the center. Hold the end against a cutting board and use a knife to gently scrape the seeds downward. They should easily come out of the pod and fall to the board. I recommend a dull knife as opposed to a sharp one so you don’t break the seeds.

Tips and Tricks

When you buy vanilla bean pods, they’ll either come whole (uncut) or already sliced in half.

Make sure to scrape the seeds out of the pod first and then add both seeds and pod to the sugar. The scraping step helps release more of the tantalizing vanilla fragrance.

Vanilla Sugar Recipe (2)

How to Use Vanilla Sugar

This sugar is just the ticket for adding a hint of vanilla flavor to a recipe without the heaviness of liquid extract. You can also use it along with fresh vanilla beans or extract for absolute vanilla heaven.

Vanilla Sugar is a key ingredient in this delicious Swedish Almond Cake. I’ve also used it in place of regular granulated sugar in Sugar Cookies Recipe, Vanilla Bean Fudge and Vanilla Bean Cupcakes.

You can use Vanilla sugar anywhere you’d use regular white sugar. . . but any guesses how I use it most?

Coffee. A spoonful of vanilla sugar makes an ordinary cup of coffee taste like a special treat.

When I don’t have time to make a fancy latte or creamer, but want something more than plain coffee, a teaspoon of vanilla sugar more than does the trick.

It’s also wonderful in black tea and hot cocoa!

Vanilla Sugar Recipe (3)

Storing Vanilla Sugar

It’s important to keep your vanilla sugar sealed and away from heat and light. Store it in a mason jar with a tight fitting lid in a dry place.

You can keep adding to your vanilla sugar jar, too. Every time I use a vanilla bean in a recipe, I toss the leftover pod into my vanilla sugar jar. Add more granulated sugar as needed.

I find that the longer sugar mixes with the vanilla beans, the richer and more fragrant it tastes. Now that refilling my sugar jar is a habit, I never run out of this nifty ingredient!

Recipes you can add Vanilla Sugar

  • Cheesecake
  • Rice Krispie Treats
  • Shortbread Cookies
  • Snickerdoodles
  • Cookie Dough Dip

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Vanilla Sugar Recipe (8)

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Vanilla Sugar

5 from 5 votes

By: Aimee

Elevate your baked goods with this recipe for homemade Vanilla Sugar! Infused with aromatic vanilla from whole beans, vanilla sugar makes your favorite desserts even more delicious.

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 cups

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean pod scraped

Instructions

  • Add sugar to a small mason jar.

  • If vanilla bean is uncut, slice it down lengthwise and scrape the seeds. Add both the seeds and the whole bean pod into the sugar jar. Seal tightly and give it a shake.

  • Let sugar sit for at least one week.

  • Use as you would regular granulated sugar.

Notes

  • Store the vanilla bean sugar in a mason jar or other airtight container at room temperature.
  • You can keep refilling the sugar jar 2-3 times using the same bean pod. Shake the jar and let sit each time. Once you no longer notice vanilla bean seeds in the sugar, replace the pod.

Nutrition

Serving: 1tsp, Calories: 48kcal, Carbohydrates: 13g, Sugar: 12g

Course: Basics

Cuisine: American

Did you make this recipe?Mention @shugarysweets or tag #shugarysweets!

Believe me when I tell you that buying a real vanilla pod and waiting a week is well worth it. Try this vanilla sugar recipe and taste the difference for yourself.

Vanilla Sugar Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is vanilla sugar made of? ›

Vanilla sugar is a simple recipe of granulated sugar infused with vanilla beans. There is nothing quite as simple or versatile as homemade vanilla sugar. Vanilla sugar in baking can be utilized in a variety of desserts; from apple pies, snickerdoodles and crème brûlée to light and airy pavlova's.

What is the ratio of vanilla extract to vanilla sugar? ›

If you have commercially produced vanilla sugar, use only 1 teaspoon of vanilla sugar per teaspoon of vanilla extract. Using Vanilla Extract Instead of Vanilla Sugar: One teaspoon of vanilla extract is the equivalent of 1 1/2 teaspoons of homemade vanilla sugar, or 1 teaspoon of commercially made vanilla sugar.

What is a substitute for 1 tablespoon of vanilla sugar? ›

Substitute vanilla extract for vanilla in a 1:1 ratio for the vanilla flavor however add some extra sugar. To mimic the flavor and texture of vanilla sugar, mix ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract with one tablespoon of granulated sugar and substitute it for one tablespoon of vanilla sugar.

When a recipe says vanilla What does it mean? ›

You can find vanilla in its pure form as a dried bean, or in a vanilla bean paste. However, many recipes will call for pure vanilla extract, a liquid version of vanilla that is made from soaking vanilla beans in alcohol and water.

What can be substituted for vanilla sugar? ›

The vanilla sugar packet has very little vanilla in it, so I would probably go with something as little as. 1/8th or 1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract and try the recipe out on a practice run. It will probably be just right, but if it's too little it will still probably be good.

Does vanilla sugar go bad? ›

Shelf Life

Vanilla sugar is actually a pretty simple one, in that it should theoretically never go “bad.” Neither sugar nor vanilla contains any ingredients that will go rancid or bad, in a traditional sense, so if nothing else creeps into your storage container then you should be safe to eat vanilla sugar forever!

What is packet of vanilla sugar? ›

About 1.5 teaspoons of homemade vanilla sugar equals a packet, which is typically what is called for in German recipes. You can easily round up to 2 teaspoons, if you want a sweeter, stronger taste. Technically, 1.5 teaspoons is 0.25 ounces and 2 teaspoons is 0.33 ounces. Most packets contain 0.28 to 0.32 ounces.

Is it cheaper to make your own vanilla extract? ›

A bit of simple math reveals that homemade vanilla extract is the more economical choice. Say you buy two 4-ounce bottles of the good vanilla extract from the grocery store every year. If each jar costs $18, that's $180 over a five-year span.

Is 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract too much? ›

However, as a general guideline, most recipes call for between 1 and 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract per batch. Using more than 2 teaspoons can result in an overpowering flavor that may be too strong for some tastes.

What is vanilla sugar in the US? ›

Vanilla sugar is regular sugar infused with vanilla beans. It's a common baking ingredient in some European regions, but in other parts of the world including the US, you can really only find it in select kitchen stores and bakeries.

Is vanilla powder and vanilla sugar the same? ›

The purest form of vanilla powder comes from vanilla beans. The beans are dehydrated and finely ground. But you'll also find another type of vanilla powder on the market, where sugar is added. This type, called vanilla sugar, is popular in France and Mexico and used as a substitute for regular sugar in some recipes.

Does Aldi have vanilla sugar? ›

The Pantry Vanilla Flavoured Sugar 150g | ALDI.

What happens if you don't have vanilla for a recipe? ›

Other Spices

If vanilla isn't the star of your recipe, it's likely added to create depth of flavor. Try swapping in another spice, like cinnamon, cardamom or nutmeg. These spices can be strong, so we recommend starting with a pinch.

What happens if you don't add vanilla extract to cake? ›

Vanilla extract adds depth and complexity to baked goods, enhancing the overall taste and aroma. Without it, the cake may taste bland or one-dimensional. However, there are many other ways to add flavor to a cake, such as using other extracts, spices, or even fresh fruit.

What happens when you leave vanilla out of a recipe? ›

If you don't have any on hand, you can almost always omit the vanilla without impacting the final texture of your baked goods; although the rich flavor extract—or any form of vanilla—brings will certainly be altered. Just remember one thing: flavor comes first.

What's the difference between sugar and vanilla sugar? ›

Well, it's a simple ingredient that quickly accelerates the flavor of drinks and baked goods. It's just regular sugar that's flavored with vanilla beans, so you can essentially use it in any recipe that calls for sugar.

Is vanilla sugar Natural? ›

The raw cane sugar in NATURAL Bourbon vanilla sugar is obtained from sugar cane and combined with fine bourbon vanilla. You can use it to refine your baked goods and desserts naturally, in a contemporary way and without any additives.

Is vanilla sugar same as icing sugar? ›

Vanilla sugar is, quite literally, sugar that's been infused with the flavour of vanilla beans. It can be used in baking to add a subtle vanilla flavour to cakes, bakes and desserts, or it can be sprinkled on top of pastries instead of a dusting of icing sugar.

What is the difference between vanilla sugar and vanillin sugar? ›

While vanilla sugar is made of sucrose (household sugar) and crushed vanilla beans and/or vanilla extract, vanillin sugar is a mixture of sucrose and vanillin [3]. The latter is considerably more favorably priced and can be found as a standard baking ingredient in almost every supermarket.

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