If you’ve never tried vanilla sugar before, you’re in for a treat. This fragrant, flavorful sugar adds a beautiful vanilla twist to drinks and baked goods, and the best part? You can easily make it yourself in your own kitchen.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your morning coffee or give your baked treats that extra something, this guide walks you through exactly how to make vanilla sugar, how to use it, and how to store it — all in a fun, no-fuss way.
What Is Vanilla Sugar?
Vanilla sugar is just what it sounds like: sugar that’s been infused with real vanilla. It’s popular in European baking but can be hard to find elsewhere — especially in everyday grocery stores in the U.S.
Luckily, you don’t need to go hunting through specialty shops. With just two ingredients and a few minutes, you can whip up your own batch at home. The result is a sweet, aromatic sugar that brings a rich vanilla flavor to anything you add it to.
Why Make Your Own?
Here’s why making vanilla sugar at home is a great idea:
- It’s cheaper. Vanilla beans can be pricey, but one bean goes a long way — and store-bought vanilla sugar is often overpriced.
- It’s customizable. You control the flavor strength and the sugar type.
- It’s easy. You only need two ingredients and about 10 minutes of active time.
- It makes a great gift. Pop it into a cute jar with a label, and it’s perfect for the coffee lover or baker in your life.
How to Use Vanilla Sugar
Vanilla sugar works as a direct 1:1 replacement for regular sugar in many recipes. But since vanilla beans are a luxury item, you’ll want to use your sugar where it really shines.
Best Uses
- Stir it into coffee, tea, or hot cocoa
- Sprinkle over fruit, oatmeal, or yogurt
- Use it in vanilla-forward desserts like:
- Sugar cookies
- Shortbread
- Pound cake
- Vanilla cupcakes
- Spritz cookies
- Strawberry shortcake
Where to Skip It
Avoid using vanilla sugar in recipes where the flavor might get lost — like rich chocolate cakes or spiced desserts. Chocolate, for example, will overpower the subtle vanilla notes.
Pro Tip: If your recipe also calls for vanilla extract, you don’t need to skip it just because you’re using vanilla sugar. You can slightly reduce the extract if you want, but using both gives you a deeper vanilla flavor.
What You’ll Need
Making vanilla sugar is simple, but having the right tools and ingredients makes it even easier.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 1 whole vanilla bean (5–7 inches long)
Tools
- Knife: To split and scrape the vanilla bean.
- Food processor or blender: Optional, but helps blend the seeds into the sugar more evenly.
- Jar with tight-fitting lid: For storage. Glass jars like Mason jars are perfect.
Step-by-Step: How to Make Vanilla Sugar
Step 1: Prepare the Sugar
Add 2 cups of granulated sugar to your food processor, blender, or a mixing bowl.
Step 2: Slice and Scrape the Vanilla Bean
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