Homemade Vanilla Sugar

Kindi Lantz November 15, 2018

2 Ways To Make Homemade Vanilla Sugar from Spent Vanilla Pods

If you love incorporating that fragrant vanilla caviar from vanilla beans into your cooking and baking projects as much as we do, then you likely have some spent vanilla pods. With the price of vanilla beans, it would be a shame to throw them out, especially considering the fact that the pods also contain that recognizable vanilla flavor and aroma that we all love. 

Homemade vanilla sugar is a perfect way to ensure no part of your vanilla bean goes to waste and it's so easy to make! So stop throwing out those precious vanilla vessels and turn them into something remarkable. 

Below, you'll find two ways to make from-scratch vanilla sugar, but first I want to give you five ideas for how to use your creation. 

• Wet the rim of a highball glass with a bit of lemon juice or vanilla extract and dip it in the vanilla sugar to gussy up your traditional vodka collins. 
• Don't stop with the Collins; rim festive martinis with this concoction for your next holiday party.
• Replace regular sugar with the superior vanilla counterpart when dipping donuts, sprinkling on cookies and muffins, or donning cups of hot cocoa. 
• Use it in your morning cup of joe.
• Make homemade sugar scrubs to give as gifts. The vanilla scent is calming and the sugar softens skin!

Now that you have been inspired by how to use your homemade vanilla sugar, it's time to stop wasting your vanilla pods and start turning it into a culinary work of art.

The Extended-Duration Infusing Method for Homemade Vanilla Sugar

For this method, you'll need to let your vanilla pods sit, immersed in granulated cane sugar for several months—the longer the better, really, but 2-3 months will provide a nicely-scented vanilla sugar. 

Simply cut your pods into pieces after removing and using the vanilla seeds. Place them in sugar, inside of an air-tight container or zipper-sealed bag. and Continuously add new pods as you use them. I use about 2 cups of sugar for every 3-5 pods, depending on size. For extra flavor, utilize the bag your vanilla beans came in for infusing.

Shake a couple times a week. 

Your sugar will turn a lovely golden brown.

The Quick Blending Method for Homemade Vanilla Sugar 

Place 2-3 spent pods into a blender or food processor with a cup of granulated cane sugar. Blend until the pods have been ground into a powder and thoroughly incorporated into the sugar. 

This from-scratch vanilla sugar will look like a deep brown powdered sugar and is ready to use immediately. 

We love to hear about the creations made with SloFoodGroup vanilla beans! What are some of your favorite uses for vanilla sugar?