Vanilla Sugar Recipe in 3 Easy Steps - The Clever Carrot (2024)

With just 2 ingredients, this vanilla sugar recipe is so simple and easy to make at home. Only 5 minutes needed! Tips shared for choosing the right vanilla bean for making incredible homemade vanilla sugar.

Vanilla Sugar Recipe in 3 Easy Steps - The Clever Carrot (1)

What is Vanilla Sugar Used For?

Vanilla sugar is incredibly versatile.

I keep a small jar in my baking cabinet (next to the spices) and use it for just about anything: sprinkled over juicy, ripe strawberries, stirred into oatmeal, and mixed into strong coffee and tea. It’s great on waffles, apple tarts and panettone, and it makes the best cinnamon toast on warm sourdough bread. Every time I open the jar, I’m hit with the most wonderful, sweet aroma…

But here’s the best part: vanilla sugar is practical enough for everyday use but equally as impressive to give as gifts. It’s easy, fast and incredibly satisfying to make.

Vanilla Sugar Recipe in 3 Easy Steps - The Clever Carrot (2)

Homemade Vanilla Sugar in 3 Easy Steps!

So… How do I pick the right vanilla bean?

There are several types of vanilla beans to choose from, ranging in source of origin, flavor and cost.

Here are 3 common varieties:

  • Tahitian: floral aroma with a rich, fruity flavor
  • Madagascar Bourbon: sweet aroma and delicate flavor
  • Mexican: full bodied, rich and smoky

My preference is Tahitian Vanilla Beans (Grade B). The flavor is versatile and it does not overpower.

Another important factor to consider is cost. Vanilla beans are pricey! To save a few bucks, Native Vanilla has some bulk price options (i.e. 10 vanilla beans for $12.99 with free shipping!). The quality is excellent.

Vanilla Sugar Recipe in 3 Easy Steps - The Clever Carrot (3)

What’s the difference between Grade A & Grade B vanilla?

Grade A vanilla beans are considered high quality or “gourmet” because they’re soft, plump, shiny and have a high moisture content. They’re also expensive.

Grade B vanilla beans can be stiff, crackly and dry.

Which one is best for vanilla sugar?

Grade B is typically best because of its low moisture content- the sugar won’t clump up when the mixture is combined. The vanilla beans still pack plenty of pure vanilla flavor, and as an added bonus, they cost less than Grade A beans.

Vanilla Sugar Recipe in 3 Easy Steps - The Clever Carrot (4)

How tO store vanilla Sugar & Vanilla Beans

Vanilla sugar will keep indefinitely when stored in an airtight jar. In fact, the longer it sits the better it will taste!

As for the vanilla beans, cover tightly in plastic or wax wrap. This is important so they don’t dry out.

TIP: As your vanilla sugar supply dwindles down, top it off with more sugar and deseeded vanilla pods as you collect them.

Where Can I Buy Those Cute Jars?!

This recipe fits perfectly into 4 oz (125 ml) latch top jars (pictured here).

Here a a few options to choose from, similar to mine. You can also purchase in bulk from a restarant supply store.

Vanilla Sugar Recipe in 3 Easy Steps - The Clever Carrot (5)

Recipes to Try with Vanilla sugar

  • Cinnamon Sugar Sourdough Waffles
  • Jamie Oliver’s Panettone Pudding Tart
  • Sourdough Cinnamon Raisin Bread
  • Easy Apple Tart with Puff Pastry

*This post contains affiliate links. Thanks for the support friends!

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Vanilla Sugar Recipe in 3 Easy Steps - The Clever Carrot (6)

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 5 from 3 reviews

  • Author: Emilie Raffa
  • Prep Time: 5
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 2 cups
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: One-Bowl
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegan
Print Recipe

Description

Using only 2 ingredients, this vanilla sugar recipe is so simple and easy to make at home. All you need is 5 minutes! It’s perfect to spice up your everyday oatmeal, yet impressive enough to give as homemade gifts. For best flavor allow the sugar to infuse for up to 2 weeks or more.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups granulated sugar
  • 2 vanilla beans

Notes

1.) For the vanilla beans, both Grade A and Grade B can be used with excellent results. I prefer Tahitian Vanilla Beans (Grade B) from Native Vanilla.

2.) I use a food processor to infuse the vanilla into the sugar- it’s the quickest way to infuse the flavor. Alternatively, it can be mixed by hand.

Instructions

  1. Slice the vanilla beans in half lengthwise. Scrape out the seeds in a downward motion using the back of a small paring knife. Reserve the empty pods.
  2. Add the sugar to the bowl of a food processor. Add the vanilla seeds.
  3. Pulse until well incorporated. Pour into jars or a large airtight container. Submerge the reserved vanilla pods into the sugar (cut in half to fit, if necessary). For best flavor, allow the sugar to infuse for up to 2 weeks or more.
Vanilla Sugar Recipe in 3 Easy Steps - The Clever Carrot (2024)

FAQs

Vanilla Sugar Recipe in 3 Easy Steps - The Clever Carrot? ›

If you have commercially produced vanilla sugar, use only 1 teaspoon of vanilla sugar per teaspoon of vanilla extract. Using Vanilla Extract Instead of Vanilla Sugar: One teaspoon of vanilla extract is the equivalent of 1 1/2 teaspoons of homemade vanilla sugar, or 1 teaspoon of commercially made vanilla sugar.

What can I substitute for 1 packet of vanilla sugar? ›

What can I use instead of vanilla sugar?
  • Vanilla Powder.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract.
  • Vanilla Bean Paste.
  • Vanilla Syrup.
  • Vanilla Pod.
  • Vanilla Flavored Milk.
  • Regular Sugar.
  • Icing Sugar (or Powdered Sugar)
Jan 29, 2023

Can I use vanilla extract instead of vanilla sugar? ›

If you have commercially produced vanilla sugar, use only 1 teaspoon of vanilla sugar per teaspoon of vanilla extract. Using Vanilla Extract Instead of Vanilla Sugar: One teaspoon of vanilla extract is the equivalent of 1 1/2 teaspoons of homemade vanilla sugar, or 1 teaspoon of commercially made vanilla sugar.

What is vanilla sugar made of? ›

Vanilla sugar is a simple recipe of granulated sugar infused with vanilla beans. There is nothing quite as simple or versatile as homemade vanilla sugar. Vanilla sugar in baking can be utilized in a variety of desserts; from apple pies, snickerdoodles and crème brûlée to light and airy pavlova's.

How long can you keep vanilla sugar? ›

Vanilla sugar is actually a pretty simple one, in that it should theoretically never go “bad.” Neither sugar nor vanilla contains any ingredients that will go rancid or bad, in a traditional sense, so if nothing else creeps into your storage container then you should be safe to eat vanilla sugar forever!

What can I use if I don't have vanilla for a recipe? ›

8 substitutes for vanilla extract
  1. Vanilla paste. Vanilla paste — also called vanilla bean paste — is a mix of vanilla extract, vanilla beans, and sugar. ...
  2. Vanilla powder. ...
  3. Vanilla sugar. ...
  4. Almond extract. ...
  5. Maple syrup. ...
  6. Honey. ...
  7. Bourbon, brandy, rum, or vanilla liqueur. ...
  8. Vanilla flavored plant-based milk.
Nov 12, 2021

How much to substitute vanilla sugar? ›

You can purchase vanilla sugar in some specialty stores, but it's really easy to create at home. Use homemade vanilla sugar as a 1:1 replacement for regular sugar to add flavor in your coffee, tea, or baking recipes. If you try it out, I have free printable labels you can use below.

Is vanilla powder the same as vanilla sugar? ›

While vanilla sugar is a great flavour enhancer, it's not vanilla powder. Vanilla sugar can be used as a substitute for regular sugar in baking and cooking, and can even be used to sweeten your morning coffee. But it can't be used in the same way or with the same levels of success.

How much sugar is in a packet of vanilla sugar? ›

Most packets contain 0.28 to 0.32 ounces. If you live in a humid area, like I do, expect your sugar to get a little (or a lot) clumpy. This doesn't hurt anything and you can just break it up as needed.

What happens if you use imitation vanilla instead of vanilla extract? ›

If a recipe calls for 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, you can swap in 2 teaspoons of imitation vanilla or vanilla flavoring to get a similar flavor. So, no matter what extract you haveon hand, it should be easy to get that warm, vanilla flavor you love in your baked and non–baked treats!

Does Aldi have vanilla sugar? ›

The Pantry Vanilla Flavoured Sugar 150g | ALDI.

Can I eat vanilla sugar? ›

Enjoying Vanilla Sugar

Food made and prepared using vanilla sugar is delicious. But if you develop an allergic reaction to vanilla, do not consume food with vanilla sugar. Avoid eating vanilla sugar in large quantities because this is unhealthy and will cause health problems.

What is the difference between vanilla sugar and vanillin sugar? ›

While vanilla sugar is made of sucrose (household sugar) and crushed vanilla beans and/or vanilla extract, vanillin sugar is a mixture of sucrose and vanillin [3]. The latter is considerably more favorably priced and can be found as a standard baking ingredient in almost every supermarket.

Can I use expired vanilla sugar? ›

If you've taken a long summer vacation from baking, you might be wondering if your sugar has gone bad while you've been off. The good news: Sugar doesn't really expire. (Unlike some other baking ingredients, like flours!)

Can you use 1 year expired vanilla extract? ›

As long as it is not showing signs of going bad, you can still continue using it six months to a year after it's expiration date. Though, I would add more to the recipe to make up for the weakened flavor. However, both pure and imitation vanilla extract can go bad if not stored correctly.

Does sugar go bad after 5 years? ›

Commercial sugars (granular, syrup, and honey) have an indefinite shelf life due to their resistance to microbial growth.

What is one sugar packet equal to? ›

Domino ® Sugar Package Requirements (approximate)
1 packet=1 teaspoon
1 lb=2 1/4 cups
2 lbs=4 1/2 cups
4 lbs=9 cups
11 more rows

How much is in a packet of vanilla sugar? ›

Most packets contain 0.28 to 0.32 ounces.

How much is in a sachet of vanilla sugar? ›

30sachets of 8 grams each. Total weight= 240g. Vanilla Sugar Sachets by "Back Family".

Is vanilla sugar the same as vanilla powder? ›

The purest form of vanilla powder comes from vanilla beans. The beans are dehydrated and finely ground. But you'll also find another type of vanilla powder on the market, where sugar is added. This type, called vanilla sugar, is popular in France and Mexico and used as a substitute for regular sugar in some recipes.

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