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

FAQs

Can I use vanilla extract in place 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.

If stored in a cool, dry place, vanilla sugar has a long shelf life, 2+ years at least.

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.

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.

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. Vanilla sugar can even be used in savory recipes to give a slight sweetness to acidic foods such as barbecue sauce and vinaigrettes.

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!

Like many other foods and ingredients, exposure to temperature extremes can cause the quality of your vanilla extract to decline, so a room-temperature spot is the place to store it. Stow it in a cupboard away from heat-producing appliances (like stoves and dishwashers) and heat registers.

You only need 2 ingredients for homemade vanilla extract: vanilla beans and vodka. Let the vanilla beans infuse the vodka for as little as 8 weeks, but for optimal flavor, wait at least 6-12 months before using. Homemade vanilla is more cost efficient than store-bought options. You can try homemade vanilla sugar too.

By Luisa Weiss.

Vanilla syrup is much sweeter than vanilla extract, due to the addition of sugar. It also has a thicker consistency, more like honey. Whereas, vanilla extract is less sweet and has a thinner consistency, like water.

What can I use instead of vanilla in sugar cookies? ›

Alternative Flavoring Extracts

Depending on the prevailing flavor, almond extract is generally a lovely vanilla substitute for cookies (including sugar and shortbread cookies) and some cakes (subtly-nutty pound cake, anyone?).

There are 8 grams of vanilla sugar in a packet, which equals about a tablespoon. In my experience, one packet of vanilla sugar adds about the same amount of vanilla flavor as one teaspoon of vanilla extract.

In other words, our brains believe we are tasting something sweet because vanilla's characterizing aromatics are perceived by our brains as sweet. This is why vanilla is often used in reduced sugar and protein powder applications to not only enhance sweet taste, but disguise bitter ingredients and off-notes, too.