Easy Homemade Vanilla Bean Sugar Recipe

Homemade bean vanilla sugar is so easy to make and is a great way to add vanilla flavor to your recipes by simply replacing the required sugar with your own vanilla sugar blend!

I love vanilla flavor. I’m guilty of doubling or tripling the amount of vanilla extract recipes call for!

If you haven’t used or tasted vanilla sugar yet, you are in for a treat! It makes desserts and hot drinks taste extra special and delicious and it’s so easy to make your own homemade vanilla sugar from scratch!

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what you need to make vanilla bean sugar

ingredients

• Sugar – Just regular white sugar.
• Whole Vanilla Beans – You will need 1 vanilla bean to flavor 2 cups of sugar. I like to use Grade B Madagascar vanilla beans, but you can also use Tahitian vanilla beans!

Supplies

• Glass Container – With a tight fitting lid. A mason jar would work just fine.
• Sharp Knife – To slice the vanilla beans.
• Food Processor or Blender – To thoroughly mix the vanilla beans with the sugar. You can just stir it in really well by hand if you prefer.

how to make vanilla sugar

Prep – Slit the vanilla bean in half lengthwise and carefully scrape the seeds out.

Combine – Add 2 cups of sugar and the vanilla seeds to the bowl of your food processor, blender, coffee grinder or spice grinder (or just whisk them by hand) and pulse them together a few times to thoroughly combine.

tips for success

For Best Results – To get the most out of the vanilla bean, let your vanilla sugar sit for a couple of weeks before using it.

To Use – Vanilla sugar can be used to replace granulated sugar in any recipe using a 1:1 ratio.

Storing – Vanilla sugar can be stored in an airtight container for for several years. If the sugar clumps, just give it a shake before using.

Substitutions – Brown sugar can be used instead of white, but you would need to use it only as a substitute for brown sugar in recipes.

FAQ about making homemade vanilla sugar

What is vanilla sugar / what is it made of?

Vanilla sugar is exactly what it sounds like, sugar that has been infused with vanilla flavor.

Vanilla sugar can be used in place of granulated white sugar in desserts, drinks and other recipes.

How long does homemade vanilla sugar take to infuse / how long should I wait?

While you can use it right away, for a better/stronger flavor, let vanilla sugar sit for 2 weeks or longer.

How long does homemade vanilla sugar last / what’s the shelf life?

Vanilla sugar has a very long shelf, several years at least.

Can I use vanilla extract instead of beans?

You could use pure vanilla extract in place of the fresh vanilla beans, but the sugar would clump more and the vanilla flavor wouldn’t be as evenly distributed throughout it.

Typically, vanilla sugar has flecks of visible vanilla bean seeds that you wouldn’t get if you just used vanilla extract instead.

What can I use vanilla sugar for?

Vanilla sugar can be used in any recipe that calls or granulated sugar, that would benefit from added vanilla flavor.

Recipes like, cakes, cookes, pies, coffee, holiday drinks, or it can be used as a finishing sugar on top of baked goodies!

What is the right ratio of sugar to vanilla bean?

One vanilla bean to 2 cups of sugar.

Does vanilla sugar clump / how to prevent or fix clumps?

Vanilla sugar can clump as it sits over time. All you need to do is give it a good shake to break up any clumps that have formed.

recipes To Use vanilla beans in

• Homemade Vanilla Extract
• Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
• Vanilla Coffee Creamer
• Homemade Vanilla Syrup