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.
Consider this the sequel to the homemade vanilla extract tutorial. Today I’m showing you how to make homemade vanilla sugar, a quick and simple yet very special ingredient you can use in your baking. Even though there are many vanilla sugar tutorials available online and the process is basically effortless, I’d still love to teach you what I’ve learned after making it myself.
And vanilla sugar makes a wonderful homemade gift that any baker (or coffee drinker!) would appreciate. I have an entire page dedicated to Gifts for Bakers if you ever need more shopping inspiration, and this Holiday Gifts for Bakers guide is specially curated with holiday gift ideas.
One reader, Jonathon, commented: “This has been a wonderful ingredient! I started making it when you shared this post. We love using it in lemon scones and sugar cookies. My wife enjoys it in her coffee. Will give as gifts this year! Thanks, Sally. โ โ โ โ โ ”
What is Vanilla Sugar?
Vanilla sugar is regular sugar infused with vanilla beans. It’s a common baking ingredient in some European regions, but in other parts of the world including the US, you can really only find it in select kitchen stores and bakeries. Vanilla sugar sounds pretty fancy and trust meโtastes pretty fancy tooโbut it couldn’t be easier to mix up at home.
I used to buy vanilla sugar all the time to use in my Christmas sugar cookies, but started making my own last year. I find that 1 vanilla bean per 2 cups of sugar is affordable and works wonderfully. See my recipe note if you’d like to increase the amount of vanilla.
How Can I Use Vanilla Sugar?
What’s all the fuss about this sugar? Well, it’s a simple ingredient that quickly accelerates the flavor of drinks and baked goods. It’s just regular sugar that’s flavored with vanilla beans, so you can essentially use it in any recipe that calls for sugar. Besides using it to sweeten your coffee and tea beverages, I recommend using homemade vanilla sugar as a 1:1 replacement for regular granulated sugar in recipes where vanilla is the prominent flavor and not overshadowed by more flavorful ingredients. For example, I wouldn’t use it in chocolate cake because chocolate is overpowering. Vanilla beans are expensive, so save this special sugar for recipes that could really benefit from it like vanilla cake, shortbread cookies, sugar cookies, vanilla cupcakes, strawberry shortcake, St. Patrick’s Day cookies, snowball cookies, or even pound cake and spritz cookies.
- If your recipe also calls for vanilla extract, which is likely, there’s no need to reduce the vanilla extract if you’re using vanilla sugar. (Especially if you want extra vanilla flavor!) However, feel free to slightly reduce the vanilla extract amount. I wouldn’t leave it out completely though.
What You Need for Homemade Vanilla Sugar
- Vanilla Beans: You need the bean itself and the seeds inside. Vanilla beans are expensive, but you only need 1 bean per 2 cups of sugar and you can reuse the beans to make vanilla extract (more on that below). You can find vanilla beans online or in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. I use and highly recommend these Madagascar vanilla beans, these Tahitian vanilla beans, or these Tahitian vanilla beans. (Note that each are different quantities.) The beans are high quality, nice and plump, and a generous size. You can make vanilla sugar with either Grade A or Grade B vanilla beans. Grade B vanilla beans are usually used specifically for extracting purposes and they’re great for making this sugar. Grade A vanilla beans contain more moisture and clump up your sugar overtime, but if you give your sugar a shake every now and then, it’s fine. You can use either grade.
- Sugar: The vanilla flavor will come through the most if you use regular granulated sugar.
- Food Processor: A food processor or blender isn’t required, but it’s very helpful. Any small chopper or even a coffee bean grinder works, too. You can skip the food processor/blender and just mix the sugar and vanilla bean seeds in a bowl with a whisk, but you’ll get better flavor if you pulse the two together. The food processor/blender really helps break up those clumpy seeds, too.
- Jar: You can store the sugar in any container where you’d store regular sugar. Make sure it’s always tightly sealed to preserve freshness. This 16-ounce jar is a great size for most and has a convenient swing top. The mouth is pretty wide, which is key for scooping out the sugar. These 8-ounce jars are pretty small, but perfect if you’ll only be using the sugar for coffee and beverages. If you want to gift this sugar to the regular baker, I’m sure they’d appreciate 24+ ounces! Mason jars are perfect for this.
It’s This Easy:
- Place sugar in your food processor/blender/bowl.
- Cut the vanilla bean pod in half lengthwise. Use a knife to scrape out the seeds. Place the seeds on top of the sugar. (Save the empty beans/pods!) Use a spoon or another knife to scrape the seeds off the knifeโthey’re sticky and clumpy.
- Pulse/blend/whisk until all the seeds are broken up and blended. If you’re using a machine, you’re also breaking down the sugar. Finer sugar is OK to use in most baking recipes. Pour vanilla sugar into your jar.
- Submerge the empty bean/pod into the sugar. Cut it as needed to fit. This is actually optional, but the empty bean adds more flavor as the weeks go on.
- Use sugar immediately or wait at least 2 weeks for optimal flavor.
What Sugar Do I Use?
The vanilla flavor will come through the most if you use regular granulated sugarโlike the kind you use in your coffee or baking recipes. You can use brown sugar if you’d like, but the molasses undertones may overpower the vanilla. If you’re using a coarser sugar such as coconut sugar, make sure you process the granules so they’re much finer. Smaller granules absorb more vanilla flavor. I haven’t tested this with monk fruit sweetener, but let me know if you do! Don’t use powdered/confectioners’ sugar because it will clump up and could crystallize.
Can I Reuse These Beans for Vanilla Extract?
After you scrape out the seeds, you can cut and submerge the empty beans/pods into the sugar as pictured above. Overtime, the pods will infuse even more flavor into the sugar. What’s really resourceful, however, is using the empty vanilla beans/pods to make vanilla extract. Even though you no longer have a plump bean full of seeds, the pod still has plenty of flavor that alcohol can extract. In my vanilla extract tutorial, I recommend waiting at least 6 months before using. But now that your vanilla bean pods are practically empty, you may want to wait closer to 12 months before using so that optimal flavor is reached.
- Reuse the empty beans/pod right after you scrape the seeds out of them. If you submerge them into the sugar, then use all your sugar, the empty beans/pods will have sugar all over them. If you want to use those, you’ll have to rinse them with water and wait for them to dry completely before using for extract. Some flavor may be lost during this process.
- I haven’t tried reusing beans that were used for vanilla extract to make vanilla sugar. If you try it, make sure the beans are completely dry. Some flavor will be lost since the bean(s) was/were extracted.
Can I Make Vanilla Sugar with Vanilla Paste or Vanilla Extract?
The best form of vanilla to use for homemade vanilla sugar is a vanilla bean. You can use 1 Tablespoon of vanilla paste or vanilla extract per 1 cup of sugar, but both add color and quite a bit of moisture to your sugar. This moisture will affect your baking recipes. You could dry spreading the wet and clumpy sugar on a baking sheet to help it dry out, but the results won’t be the same. I strongly recommend using vanilla beans.
Free Printable Labels
Because everyone enjoys a fun accessory, I asked my dear friend Jess to design labels for our vanilla sugar jars. They match our vanilla extract and pumpkin pie spice labels!
**Click this link for the PDF: Sally’s Baking Recipes Vanilla Sugar Stickers
Directions: Print out the labels on sticker adhesive paper, then cut out the circles. Peel off the labels and stick on your jars. The labels are obviously optional, but theyโre a nice addition if you plan to gift the sugar to others. (Note that you’ll have a crease in the round sticker if the side of your jar isn’t perfectly flat. Looks great on the flat lid, though.)
Print
Homemade Vanilla Sugar
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2 cups
- Category: Baking
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: American
Description
You can purchase vanilla sugar in some specialty stores, but it’s really easy to create at home. Use this homemade vanilla sugar as a 1:1 replacement for regular sugar to add flavor in your coffee, tea, or baking recipes.
Ingredients
- 2 cups (400g) granulated sugar
- 1 vanilla bean (5–7 inch long)
Instructions
- Place sugar in your food processor or blender. Any small chopper or even a coffee bean grinder works. (Process in batches if needed.) You can skip the food processor/blender and just mix the sugar and vanilla bean seeds in a bowl with a whisk, but you’ll get better flavor if you pulse the two together.
- Cut the vanilla bean pod in half lengthwise. Use a knife to scrape out the seeds. Place the seeds on top of the sugar. (Save the empty beans/pods.) Use a spoon or another knife to scrape the seeds off the knifeโthey’re sticky and clumpy.
- Pulse/blend/whisk until all the seeds are broken up and blended, about 10-12 pulses. If you notice extra large clumps, feel free to keep pulsing/whisking or sift them out. Pour vanilla sugar into your jar or container.
- Submerge the empty bean/pod into the sugar. Cut it as needed to fit. This is actually optional, but the empty bean adds more flavor as the weeks go on. You could also use the empty beans to make vanilla extract. See written details above this recipe.
- Use sugar immediately or wait at least 2 weeks for optimal flavor.
- Store vanilla sugar at room temperature. Give it a shake every few weeks because it can clump up. If stored in a cool, dry place, vanilla sugar has a long shelf life, 2+ years at least. (I guarantee you’ll use it up before then!)
Notes
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Food Processorย | Vanilla Beans (such as Madagascar vanilla beans, theseย Tahitian vanilla beans, or theseย Tahitian vanilla beans) | 16-ounce Glass Jars or 8-ounce Glass Jars
- Ratio: I recommend 1 vanilla bean per 2 cups of sugar. Use half of a vanilla bean for 1 cup of sugar. Double, triple, or quadruple the recipe as needed. Sure you could use beans for more flavor, but vanilla beans are expensive and the flavor could become overpowering and/or the sugar could begin to clump up from all the moist seeds.
- Sugar: For best results, use regular granulated sugar. You can use brown sugar if you’d like, but its molasses undertones may overpower the vanilla. If you’re using a coarser sugar such as coconut sugar, make sure you process the granules so they’re much finer. Smaller granules absorb more vanilla flavor. I haven’t tested this with monk fruit sweetener, but let me know if you do! I don’t recommend using powdered/confectioners’ sugar.
Reader Comments and Reviews
I can’t wait to try this .
Any alternatives as I don’t take suger in my coffee
Sounds very good. Can’t wait to try it. Looking for your recipe for homemade vanilla.
Would this be good on oatmeal?
Definitely!
Do you take the poss out when giving it as a gift?
Either way!
Love this easy recipe! I want to make a vanilla sugar as decorations for my galette. Is there a difference in the recipe if I use a coarse sugar? I don’t want to grind it as I want the crystals.
Hi Marsha! You can use coarse sugar here, you may get less vanilla flavor without blending/pulsing them together, but you can just mix instead!
Love this! Super helpful. I have created my own cupcake recipe and various others and this is going to be one of my secret ingredients!!
I buy pure vanilla powder from the Amish. Can I make vanilla sugar from that? How much would I use?
Hi Tracey, We havenโt tested it, but donโt think vanilla powder would be the best to use here.
I made some homemade vanilla from your recipe 6 months ago. The beans are still soaking in the vodka and omg is it good! I did a full double fold and itโs the best vanilla Iโve ever had. I came across this recipe for sugar and wanted to see if I can use those beans that have been in the vodka??? Maybe dry them out? Thoughts ??
Hi Bridget, we havenโt tried reusing beans that were used for vanilla extract to make vanilla sugar. If you try it, make sure the beans are completely dry. Some flavor will be lost since the bean(s) was/were extracted.
Do you use the whole pod for 2cups or are there smaller beans inside the pod? I have never cut open vanillax
Hi Angela! Use the whole vanilla bean.
Thank you for the recipe! Do you have one for almond sugar?
Hi Allison, we don’t have one for almond sugar, but it sounds delicious!
Hi – quick question – I have some vanilla powder and I was wondering: If I added some to the vanilla sugar will it give it a stronger vanilla flavor? Or will it not be a good idea? Maybe it would clump more, be too strong? What do you think?
Hi Donna! We haven’t tested it, but don’t think vanilla powder would be the best to use here.
Do you need to put a cracker or piece of bread in the jar to keep it from clumping? Mine is only 2 days old and clumps really bad.
Hi JG, we don’t usually find it necessary, but you certainly can!
It breaks up easily with a spoon
Canโt wait to make this vanilla sugar
These recipes are awesome!! I made a gift group of vanilla, vanilla sugar and a jar of local honey. With your cute labels it was so easy to complete, and I was proud to give! You DO have to plan ahead though!
As a heads up! Yes, I’ve used the beans after about a year or more that I used for extract. Just dried them all over, very well, and stuck them into the sugar. The flavor takes a while, not like with lots of seeds left, but still a great flavor. Now, to try using them as you said! Can’t wait. And I used Moreno sugar that is just a tad bigger than granulated. Looks really nice and works just fine in all recipes.
The best vanilla ice cream I ever made was using this vanilla sugar! I finished a tub of it, took the beans out and soaked them in the cream (heating it up a bit), then used the vanilla sugar in the ice cream. Never had a vanilla ice cream with so much vanilla flavor.
Also works well in every baked product I use it in (although I’ve had to let a lot of people know the black flecks are just vanilla!)
The beans doesn’t need to be dried out first? The reason for asking is I have read it’s better if you do but came upon this recipe and their is no mention of it. Thanks!
Hi Linda, we do not dry out the beans first, but you certainly could if you wish. Enjoy!
Hi Sally! I enjoy so many recipes that you made! I have a question about the sugar. Am I able to use date sugar with the vanilla beans?
Hi Lisa, we haven’t tested that, so aren’t sure of the result. If you try it, please report back!
Love this idea for Christmas gifts with coffee
Im part of Garden Talk Tuesday, & I plan on making this to sweeten a tea I’m bringing in July. I look forward to your expert baking shares !
Have you or any of your readers used powdered vanilla? I’d love to know if it can be used one for one, like liquid vanilla extract. The brand I bought is pure vanilla powder, no added sugar. Thank you!
We don’t have much experience with vanilla powder, but this guide from Martha Stewart looks useful! https://www.marthastewart.com/8254033/what-is-vanilla-bean-powder-how-use
I would suggest thoroughly reading through the site in which you wish to purchase your powdered vanilla. I have seen a number of places that I have thumbed through say that they make their powder with beans that were used to make extract prior to powdering them.
I enjoy your ideas….where can I get the labels for the vanilla
Hi Judy, you can find links to the label design and sticker adhesive paper (from Amazon) under the section titled “Free Printable Labels.” Hope this helps!
Can you make vanilla paste? If so, how?
Hi Deborah, we do not have a tutorial/recipe for vanilla paste at this time, but there are many others available online! Let us know if you find one you love.
There is a Facebook co-op group that buys vanilla beans from around the world and are available for members to buy. Itโs called Indriโs Vanilla Bean Group. Be careful, making your own extract is addicting!
can beans that have been soaked in vodka to make vanilla be used to make vanilla sugar?
Hi Pat, we havenโt tried reusing beans that were used for vanilla extract to make vanilla sugar. If you try it, make sure the beans are completely dry. Some flavor will be lost since the bean(s) was/were extracted.
I am trying this. My only fear would be that they might mold? Then again, they were soaked in vodka so maybe not?
Can I make vanilla sugar with Splenda?
Hi Paula! We haven’t tested this vanilla sugar with Splenda, but it should be a similar process. Let us know if you give it a try.