Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe

 

Transform ordinary sugar into a fragrant, flavorful pantry staple with just two ingredients. This homemade vanilla sugar is incredibly easy to make and will elevate your coffee, baking, and desserts with a rich, aromatic vanilla essence. It also makes a wonderfully thoughtful homemade gift!

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Infusing Time: 2 weeks
Total Time: 2 weeks, 10 minutes
Course: Ingredient, Spice Blend
Servings: About 192 teaspoons (2 cups total)
Calories: ~16 kcal per teaspoon

Ingredients

• 2 cups granulated sugar

• 2 Madagascar vanilla beans (Grade A)

Equipment

• 1 clean, dry 16-ounce (or larger) sealable jar (like a mason jar)

• Small bowl

• Kitchen scissors or a sharp knife

• Spoon or small whisk

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Jar: Ensure your glass jar is completely clean, sanitized, and dry.

2. Add Sugar: Pour the two cups of granulated sugar into a medium bowl.

3. Split the Vanilla Beans: Using kitchen scissors or a sharp knife, carefully split each vanilla bean pod in half lengthwise. This exposes the tiny, flavorful seeds inside.

4. Scrape the Seeds: Use the back of your spoon to scrape the sticky, fragrant seeds (the “caviar”) from inside each vanilla bean pod. Add all the seeds directly to the bowl of sugar.

5. Combine Thoroughly: Use a spoon or small whisk to vigorously stir the sugar and vanilla seeds together until the seeds are evenly distributed throughout the sugar.

6. Transfer to Jar & Add Pods: Pour the vanilla seed-speckled sugar into your prepared jar. Push the scraped vanilla bean pods down into the sugar. If they are too long, you can cut them in half first.

7. Infuse the Flavor: Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place. Let the magic happen for at least 2 weeks before using. The flavor will continue to deepen and intensify the longer it sits.

8. To Use: Simply use your vanilla sugar 1:1 in place of regular white sugar in any recipe—it’s perfect in cookies, cakes, coffee, tea, and sprinkled over fruit or oatmeal.

Notes

• Storage: Your vanilla sugar will keep for years if stored in an airtight container. The sugar naturally preserves the vanilla pods.

• Replenish: As you use the sugar, you can top off the jar with more plain sugar to keep the supply going. The pods will continue to infuse flavor for a long time.

Enjoy the rich, sweet aroma of vanilla in all your favorite treats