Homemade Vanilla Sugar

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Homemade Vanilla Sugar is a flavored sugar made with just two simple ingredients. Use in baking in place of regular granulated sugar or add to your cup of coffee or cocktail.

Jars of vanilla sugar make great gifts!

Vanilla sugar

Vanilla sugar is made with just granulated sugar and a whole vanilla bean. The vanilla bean permeates its flavor into the sugar leaving a subtle vanilla flavor.

You can use vanilla sugar in any baking recipe to boost the vanilla flavor. Just substitute the vanilla sugar for the same amount of granulated sugar.

This makes a fun gift for bakers! Place in a cute jar along with some string or ribbon. Give double the sugar and pair it with a jar of cinnamon sugar!

Key ingredients

A bowl of sugar and a whole vanilla bean on a wooden board.

This section reviews the best ingredients and substitutions for this recipe. For an exact list of ingredients and quantities, check the recipe card below.

Granulated Sugar
Vanilla Bean - Any type or grade of vanilla beans works fine in this recipe. Since I will usually make a single batch of vanilla sugar, I use Grade A, Madagascar beans.

Types of vanilla beans

There are three types of vanilla beans:

Madagascar or Bourbon Vanilla Beans: The most popular and widely used vanilla beans. They originate from Madagascar (often labeled Bourbon Vanilla Beans) and have a rich, creamy flavor profile and a strong vanilla aroma.
Tahitian Vanilla Beans: Originating from Tahiti and some other South Pacific islands, Tahitian vanilla beans are known for their floral and fruity notes. They are generally larger, moister, and contain more seeds than other varieties. Tahitian vanilla tends to have a more delicate flavor than the other types.
Mexican Vanilla Beans: These beans come from Mexico and have a different flavor profile than Bourbon and Tahitian vanilla. They are often described as having a spicy, woody, and slightly smoky flavor with a hint of sweetness. Mexican vanilla beans are thinner and oilier compared to other types.

Vanilla beans on a wooden cutting board.

Grades of vanilla:

Vanilla beans are also graded according to the quality of the beans.

Grade A or Gourmet: These beans are typically the highest quality. They are moist, plump, oily, and have a high vanillin content. Grade A vanilla beans are usually long, supple, and have a well-developed flavor profile.
Grade B: These beans are usually drier and have less moisture than Grade A beans. Grade B vanilla beans are commonly used for making vanilla extract due to their high concentration of seeds and flavor compounds. These are often more affordable than Grade A beans.
Grade C: These beans are typically lower in quality. They might be shorter, drier, or have more imperfections than the other grades. Grade C beans are commonly used for purposes where the appearance and flavor are less critical, such as in industrial food production or for infusing simple syrups.

Making vanilla sugar

In this section, I share step-by-step photos, cooking methods, techniques, and a general overview. For detailed instructions, temperatures, and timing, check the printable recipe card below.

Slice the vanilla bean in half lengthwise.
Use the tip of a paring knife to gently scrape out the inside of the bean to get the pulp and vanilla bean seeds.

Slicing a vanilla bean in half lengthwise.

Scraping a vanilla bean with a small knife.

Place sugar in a bowl and add the vanilla seeds.
Use a whisk to lightly stir the sugar. This will help distribute the seeds and pulp.
The seeds are sticky and are sometimes difficult to separate. You can use your fingers to rub any clumps of vanilla bean into the sugar.

Vanilla in a bowl of sugar with a whisk.

Place sugar into a jar and add the scraped vanilla bean halves. The bean still has a lot of flavor.
Place a lid on the jar and let the flavors infuse the sugar for at least a week.
Shake the jar to help release any sugar clumps and help redistribute the vanilla.

Adding sugar and a vanilla bean half to a glass jar.

Recipe tips

I prefer to use a whisk for making this sugar, but a food processor also works. If using a food processor, just pulse a few times to distribute the vanilla into the sugar. Any longer and you'll end up with a superfine sugar.
Vanilla beans are moist and will cause the sugar to clump. Just shake the jar to loosen the clumps.
For maximum flavor, allow your vanilla sugar to develop for at least a week. However, the sugar can be used right away. It just won't have full flavor.
Use a 1:1 replacement for regular granulated sugar in any recipe where you'd like to enhance the vanilla. Don't eliminate the vanilla extract if your recipe calls for it.

Frequently asked questions

How do I use vanilla sugar?

Vanilla sugar can be used as a 1:1 replacement for any recipe calling for granulated sugar.
It can also be used as dusting sugar on muffins, cookies or other baking goods. Just sprinkle on before baking.

What do I do if my vanilla sugar is full of clumps?

If your vanilla sugar has developed clumps, just shake the jar until the clumps are gone.

Can I reuse the vanilla bean once my sugar is all gone?

Yes, you can reuse the vanilla bean. It won't have as much flavor as a whole unused vanilla bean, but there is still flavor in that bean!

Ways to use vanilla sugar

Baking: Use vanilla sugar in place of regular sugar in baking recipes to add a subtle vanilla flavor to cakes, cookies, muffins, and pastries.
Hot Beverages: Sprinkle a bit of vanilla sugar into your coffee, tea, or hot chocolate for a hint of sweetness and flavor.
Fruit Salads: Sprinkle vanilla sugar over fresh fruit salads to add a sweet and fragrant touch.
Whipped Cream: Whip vanilla sugar into heavy whipping cream for a flavored topping for desserts.
Yogurt or Oatmeal: Sprinkle vanilla sugar over your yogurt or oatmeal for a sweetened and flavored breakfast.
Cocktails or Mocktails: Use vanilla sugar to rim cocktail glasses for drinks. It can also be used to sweeten non-alcoholic beverages.

If you make this recipe, I’d love to hear about it! Leave a comment below and snap a picture and tag me on Instagram @beyondthechickencoop

Check out all my delicious baking recipes!