Vanilla sugar can enhance the flavor of vanilla in baked goods, but it can be expensive. Homemade vanilla sugar is a simple, easy and effortless process that takes five minutes but will save you lots of money if you bake often. Vanilla sugar uses only two ingredients and can be used in sweet and savory dishes as well as drink and sprinkles to enhance their flavor.
Ingredients and substitutes
- Vanilla - If you go to purchase vanilla beans you will usually find that there are several types of vanilla beans.
- Those that come from Madagascar which is considered rich and robust in flavor and aroma.
- Then there is a Tahitian vanilla bean which is said to have a subtle floral and fruity flavor and aroma.
- The third most popular is an African vanilla bean mostly from Uganda which is said to be smoky and bold in flavor.
- There is also a Mexican vanilla bean which is said to be smooth and spicy.
I have never used any other than Madagascar so far. That's the one I get locally and in my budget when I shop online.
- Sugar - I use regular granulated sugar when I do this. You can also do it with brown sugar or Sparkling sugar. If you plan to give vanilla sugar to friends as a gift I highly recommend using caster sugar as it looks more pretty.
When should you use vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste or vanilla sugar
So far we have made a homemade vanilla extract, homemade vanilla bean paste, and homemade vanilla sugar, so I think it's worth discussing this. Often we are confused as to when to use these right? The truth is there is more than one way to go with it. You can use them interchangeably and in combination too!
- Vanilla Extract - I use this in almost everything by default. Mostly because it's what I have most in the house in good quantity. So any recipe that calls for vanilla a splash of vanilla. I must admit I love vanilla so I tend to be very generous with my homemade vanilla.
- Vanilla bean paste - this usually has a more concentrated flavor and as you can see the quantity you get from pulsing these in the food processor is really not much. A little goes a long way with this. So I use this in recipes that need a more concentrated flavor. For example, if I am making a vanilla cake where I want to really bring out the flavor of vanilla (as compared to a chocolate cake) I would use this bean paste. Similarly, if I'm making vanilla pastry cream or vanilla-based desserts like a vanilla bavarian cream as compared to a strawberry Bavarian cream. Does that make sense?
- Vanilla Sugar - I often use vanilla sugar in desserts not as much in my cakes. For example pies, tarts, creme brulee etc. These get a more defined flavor of vanilla in addition to the vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste. I am known to use vanilla sugar in savory dishes such as my quiches and sauces just to help balance the acidity in there. Of course I most definitely always make my hot chocolate and drinks that call for sugar with vanilla sugar.
Homemade vanilla sugar
- Split the vanilla beans in half lengthways.
- Scrape the center to remove the seeds.
- Thoroughly mix these seeds in the sugar (use gloves or the seeds will stick to your hands).
- Store the sugar in a mason jar and use in any recipe that calls for vanilla sugar.
My cheat - Homemade vanilla sugar
- Split the vanilla beans down the center.
- Place the whole vanilla beans in a glass jar with the sugar.
- Leave the sugar for at least a week before you use it.
- In a week, the sugar will have absorbed enough flavor from the beans.
- You can use this as vanilla sugar.
- As you use to continue to add more sugar or vanilla beans to the jar.
Have you made your own vanilla extract yet?
It's so easy and so much more affordable if you are used to good quality vanilla extract. Here's how easy it is to make.
Similarly, you can make vanilla bean paste at home too! Simple and easy. Check out my cheat method too!
Don't forget to save this recipe on Pinterest for later.
You can find a collection of my tutorials and recipes here on Pinterest.
Description
Ingredients
- 10 beans (10 beans) Vanilla Beans
- 2 lbs (1 kg) Sugar
Instructions
- Split the vanilla beans in half lengthways
- Scrape the center to remove the seeds
- Thoroughly mix these seeds in the sugar (use gloves or the seeds will stick to your hands)
- Store the sugar in a mason jar and use in any recipe that calls for vanilla sugar
My Cheat - Homemade Vanilla Sugar.
- Split the vanilla beans down the center.
- Place the whole vanilla beans in a glass jar with the sugar
- Leave the sugar for at least a week before you use it.
- In a week the sugar will have absorbed enough flavor from the beans
- You can use this as vanilla sugar.
- As you use to continue to add more sugar or vanilla beans to the jar.
Nutrition Information
The nutrition information and metric conversion are calculated automatically. I cannot guarantee its accuracy. If this data is important to you please verify with your trusted nutrition calculator. Thank you
