Homemade Vanilla Bean Sugar
Make homemade vanilla bean sugar in just a few minutes, and using only two ingredients! The aroma is rich and warm, and it’s so easy to do. Use it in your favorite recipes that use vanilla instead of regular granulated sugar to enhance flavor, or sprinkle it as you would normally. It makes a lovely gift, and I’ve included printable labels as well, perfect for holiday giving, just because, and for your own organization.
Vanilla is a much-loved flavor at our house, and I’m the one that always adds a little extra to any recipe I’m making with it in it! Vanilla Bean Sugar is a delightful way to infuse a subtle flavor of vanilla into your baking without changing the texture. It’s the combination of granulated sugar and vanilla bean, which you can easily make yourself at home. It’s a common ingredient in Europe, but can be hard (and expensive) to find in the United States. You may even come across recipes that call for vanilla sugar specifically.
Whether it’s Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream in the summer, Apple Crisp or Blueberry Crisp in the fall, or a Sweet Chex Mix to snack on for the holidays, I can think of many recipes that are perfect for a vanilla sugar. Think cinnamon rolls, poundcake, and more. It doesn’t have to be just sweet recipes–think of savory and acidic recipes like BBQ sauces or vinaigrette dressings that could benefit from a touch of sweetness. It can be used 1:1 ratio, as a substitute for granulated sugar.
But it’s not just recipes that can benefit from Vanilla Sugar, and in ways that you can’t use just a vanilla bean or vanilla extract for. Sprinkle it on fresh fruit, in hot cereal, to sweeten smoothies, or use it in your cinnamon sugar for toast. I’m not a coffee or tea drinker, but I’ve heard it’s a way to add a little extra flavor there too.
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Why make vanilla sugar, instead of just using extract? All of the above! Make a batch, keep it in your pantry, and it will last for a long time so you can use it at your leisure. And it’s super easy to do, only uses two ingredients, and takes minutes to make!
I love it so much I’m giving them as holiday gifts this year. I created two different tags that you can use when giving, but also to label your own as well.
Table of contents
Ingredients
- Granulated sugar
- Grade B Vanilla beans (I like Madagascar)
Vanilla beans – I bought the 50 pack because I’m using it for holiday gifts, and making extract. You can buy as many as you need, and they come in smaller packages. They are pretty reasonably priced, and this 26-pack is currently around $13. If you want to buy fewer, there are also packs of 10 available. Or you can look for them in your local area as well. I usually just get them on Amazon because they come quickly and are so many to choose from.
Sugar – You need granulated sugar, not powdered or brown sugar.
Types of vanilla beans
There are many different varieties of vanilla beans also with varying flavor profiles, but there are three that are the most common. They include Madagascar, Tahitian, and Mexican. Madagascar has a classic vanilla aroma, with a rich, full-bodied flavor. You may see it listed as Madagascar Bourbon, but there is no alcohol involved. Tahitian is more fruity, floral, and delicate. Mexican has a stronger, more bold profile. What kind you use comes down to personal preference. I always use Madagascar for both making vanilla bean sugar and vanilla extract. I like the classic, rich flavor, and it’s my favorite!
Grade
Grade A vanilla beans are more expensive, and they have a higher moisture content, while Grade B vanilla beans have a lower moisture content and a more dull outward appearance. However, the grade does not imply quality, just the way the bean is used, mostly based on moisture content. B grade beans actually have a more concentrated amount of flavor, and their low moisture content makes them the best choice for making vanilla sugar.
Equipment
- Jars or another airtight container
- Blender or food processor
- Lids for mason jars
- Paring knife
- Cutting board
I used pint jars, but if you want to make a bunch for gifts, these half pint jars are so cute, and cost less. Flip top jars are also a great way to keep vanilla sugar.
The black plastic mason jar lids by Ball are my favorite–easy to use and perfect for easy off and on.
How to make
Add desired amount of sugar to your blender or food processor, depending on how much you’re making and how much your appliance will hold.
On a cutting board, lay out your vanilla beans. With a paring knife, slice down the middle of the pod, cutting lengthwise. Using the flat end of the knife, carefully scrape out the the black seeds.
Add the seeds to the blender. Pulse until the vanilla is well incorporated and the black seeds are throughout–with no chunks.
Pour the sugar into your jars or other airtight container, and place the empty vanilla pods inside. For best flavor, let it sit 2 weeks before using.
**About 2.5 cups fits in a pint-sized mason jar.
TIP: If you don’t have a blender or food processor, you can mix by hand, using a whisk and wooden spoon. It likely won’t have as much flavor as it would if it was pulsed together, but it’s possible.
Watch the video
Gifting
These cute jars of Vanilla Sugar make really fun gifts for the holidays, or any time. They’re on my list to give as neighbor gifts this year for Christmas, and I’m going to make a bunch. I created a couple of different tags that are available to download below.
Once you’ve printed the tags, you can cut them into squares, or rounds like I did. I bought this 2-inch circle cutter years ago, and use it all the time for making tags. Definitely worth every penny! It’s super easy to use too. You could also trace around the words with a cup or lid and cut them out if you like the circles.
You can tie the tag around the lid with ribbon, or adhere it to the top of the instead (keeping the ribbon around the lid). Another trick I use is to tie on the ribbon, and then just a bit of tape to adhere the tag just under the tied bow. This way I don’t have to punch a hole in the tag, and it lies flat.
One of my favorite ribbons to use is a velvet ribbon. It holds its shape really well after it’s tied, and the presentation is lovely–a vintage look. I used a cream colored velvet ribbon for these jars, but I have a moss green and vintage red I plan to use for Christmas.
Download tag
There is a page of each tag style included in the file below, and a page with both of them. You can print all pages or just the one you need. Print on to kraft cardstock or whit cardstock.
FAQ
Yes! You can replace sugar to sweeten smoothies and drinks, sprinkle on fruit and toast, and use it in a 1:1 ratio when baking or cooking in recipes where vanilla is the pronounced flavor and won’t compete with another strong flavor.
No, you don’t need to eliminate the extract! Vanilla sugar is a subtle flavor, and you can certainly keep the extract according to your preference.
Both vanilla pods and sugar are shelf stable and aren’t ingredients that will spoil. If vanilla sugar is kept in a cool, dry space in a airtight container, it will keep indefinitely. However, the flavor and taste may alter after a couple of years, and another batch might be best!
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Homemade Vanilla Bean Sugar
Ingredients
- 2 Vanilla beans, grade B Madagascar or Tahitian
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
Instructions
- Add sugar to your blender or food processor.
- On a cutting board, lay out your vanilla beans. With a paring knife, slice down the middle of the pod, cutting lengthwise. Using the flat end of the knife, carefully scrape out the the black seeds.
- Add the seeds to the blender. Pulse until the vanilla is well incorporated and the black seeds are throughout–with no chunks.
- Pour the sugar into your jars or other airtight container, and place the empty vanilla pods inside. For best flavor, let it sit 2 weeks before using.
