Vanilla sugar is a popular ingredient in many desserts. So-called vanillin sugar is usually available in stores, but it has very little in common with real vanilla. A better solution is therefore to prepare fragrant vanilla sugar at home. The process is simple and there are various options.
To make homemade vanilla sugar, you will need one fresh vanilla pod and granulated sugar. The amount of sugar depends on your preferences, you can add between 3.5 to 16 oz of sugar per pod. The intensity of the vanilla flavor and aroma varies depending on the selected sugar amount. You need to try which option will suit you.
An easy way to get the most out of the vanilla pod is to grind it together with the sugar. You will need a powerful mixer to blend the granulated sugar into a fine powder. If you don't have a high-speed blender, you'll probably need to stir the sugar so it doesn't settle to the bottom.
An electric coffee grinder can also be an alternative, but the preparation will be more difficult. It is necessary to proceed in parts. So add some sugar, add a piece of vanilla pod and grind. This procedure must be repeated several times, as the coffee grinder does not have such a large capacity.
You can use this homemade vanilla sugar right away. However, if you let it stand for a few weeks, you will get an even more intense taste and aroma.
Alternatively, you can skip mixing. Cut the pod in half, scrape out the seeds and cut the rest into smaller pieces. Mix everything well with sugar, place in a container and let it aromatize for several days to weeks. Before using the sugar, it is a good idea to sift it and put the vanilla pieces back into the glass.
You can also make vanilla sugar from the whole pod. Just place it in a glass, cover it with sugar, close it tightly and let it aromatize. This process takes a little longer, about 2 to 3 weeks, for the vanilla aroma to release.
You can cut the vanilla pod in half to speed up the process. It can be put in a glass including the seeds for a more intense aroma. Alternatively, however, you can use the seeds separately, for example in dough, and put only the empty pod into the sugar. Even so, a sweet vanilla scent can be released.
The process of preparing homemade vanilla sugar is not difficult. At the same time, you can make a larger quantity so that you always have it on hand. In this way, you can do without non-aromatic store-bought substitutes, and you can enrich each of your desserts and pastries with fragrant fresh vanilla sugar.
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