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Homemade Vanilla Sugar Using Whole Vanilla Beans

Making Vanilla Powder and Vanilla Flavored Sugar with Vanilla Pods

Dec 16, 2008 Stephanie Jolly

Vanilla beans can be made into vanilla sugar and vanilla powder, giving bakers a variety of ways to use the whole vanilla pod and add vanilla flavor into baked goods.

Vanilla beans are cherished for their sweet, aromatic flavor and floral aroma. While vanilla extract is typically used to sweeten pastries and desserts, vanilla sugars and vanilla powders can also be used to impart a delicate vanilla flavor.

Making Vanilla Sugar Using Vanilla Beans

Vanilla sugar is a delicious and economical product to make with leftover vanilla bean husks once the seeds have been scraped out for use in other recipes. The vanilla bean to sugar radio does not need to be exact. The longer the vanilla pod is exposed to the sugar, the more flavor will develop. As the vanilla sugar is used, adding more vanilla bean husks and granulated sugar can guarantee a constant supply. Vanilla sugar will store for 6-9 months.

Ingredients:

1 cup granulated or turbinado sugar
1 whole vanilla bean or vanilla bean husks

Directions:

Pour sugar into an air-tight container.
If using whole bean, split vanilla bean in half and scrape seeds into sugar, stirring well. Bury vanilla bean husks into the sugar.
Place in a cool, dark place for at least 1-2 weeks to allow flavors to infuse.

Homemade Substitute for Vanilla Powder

Vanilla powder is available from certain online and specialty grocery retailers and is used in place of liquid vanilla extract. Unlike vanilla extract, vanilla powder can be incorporated into dry ingredients and also prevents the browning discoloration that vanilla extract often gives a baked product or white vanilla frosting.

High quality pure vanilla powder consists only of finely ground dried vanilla beans, but the majority of commercial vanilla powders are composed of spray-dried vanilla bean extract combined with dextrin or dextrose as a base. A homemade substitute for vanilla powder can be made using powdered sugar. Bakers should bear in mind that this vanilla powder will be slightly sweeter than commercial products, however as most recipes do not call for more than a teaspoon at a time, the overall effect is minimal.

Ingredients:

1 dried vanilla bean
1/2 cup powdered or confectioners sugar
1/2 tsp cornstarch

Directions:

Sift together sugar and cornstarch.
Cut dried vanilla bean into smaller segments and grind in a coffee or spice grinder.
Add ground vanilla bean to the sugar mixture, mixing well. Seal in an air-tight container and store in a cool, dark place for a minimum of 1-2 weeks to allow flavors to develop.
Sift large vanilla bean particles out before using.

Both vanilla sugar and vanilla powder can be made using whole vanilla beans in the home kitchen. Adding these products to confections will them the sweet, floral essence of vanilla, particular products in which vanilla extract is poorly suited.

The copyright of the article Homemade Vanilla Sugar Using Whole Vanilla Beans in Gourmet Food is owned by Stephanie Jolly. Permission to republish Homemade Vanilla Sugar Using Whole Vanilla Beans in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.