Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe and Substitutes – Oma's Vanillezucker (2024)

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Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe and Substitutes – Oma's Vanillezucker (1)

by: Gerhild Fulson / Cookbook Author, Blogger, German Oma!

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This Vanilla Sugar recipe, akaVanillezucker,is an inexpensive way to make your own flavored sugar for use in baking.

Many times in German recipes, one ingredient is added that is so easy to make yourself. That's vanilla sugar. If you live in Germany, it's easy to buy it in the grocery stores. But, if you live elsewhere in the world, what do you do? You make your own!

However, there are substitutes you can use. See below for ones that you can use as well.

Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe and Substitutes – Oma's Vanillezucker (4)

The resulting vanilla sugar, in the recipe below, is used for flavoring manyGerman baking recipes. I usually make about 2 cups and refill as necessary. The longer it sits, the more flavorful and aromatic it becomes.

Substitutes for Dr. Oetker's Vanillezucker (Vanilla Sugar)

Instead of waiting for two weeks for the vanilla aroma/flavor to infuse the sugar in the recipe below, here's an easier way to make this.

  1. For most recipes, 1 pouch of Dr. Oetker's vanilla sugar can be replaced with 1 to 2 teaspoons (5 to 10 ml) vanilla extract added with the liquids.
  2. Make your own vanilla sugar by placing 1 sliced vanilla pod (with or without seeds) into a container with 1 cup (200 g) of granulated sugar. Cover and place in a dark cupboard for 2 weeks before using.
  3. A quicker way is to whisk 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of vanilla extract and 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar for about 1 minute. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet to dry overnight before using. Store, covered, in a dark cupboard.

Two teaspoons of homemade vanilla sugar replaces 1 pouch DR. OETKER Vanilla Sugar.

Vanilla Facts:

  • Did you know that vanilla comes from the vanilla orchids, primarily from Mexico? It is grown in various parts of the world, including Madagascar which produces the Bourbon Vanilla (aka Madagascar Vanilla) as well as in Central America and other tropical areas.
  • Being a labor-intensive crop, this results in the high cost of good quality vanilla beans and essence.
  • Artificial vanilla flavoring comes from a substance called "lignin" which is found in wood. It is much cheaper to buy (and tastes like it as well!) because it is a byproduct of wood pulp used in making paper.
  • Whenever possible, when the recipe calls for vanilla extract or vanilla flavoring, use real vanilla essence. It just tastes better! Stay away from artificial or imitation vanilla flavoring.

Using your homemade Vanilla Sugar

  • In a recipe calling for 1 package of vanilla sugar, use 2 teaspoons of your homemade vanilla sugar.
  • In most recipes, you can replace some of your sugar (a couple of teaspoons) with vanilla sugar and omit adding vanilla extract.
  • It's great sprinkled on pancakes or improving the taste of a cup of hot chocolate!

Where to use Vanilla Sugar?

Many German recipes call for vanilla sugar, but there is ONE recipe where vanilla sugar is a MUST!

  • Vanillekipferlwith almonds ... easy recipe
  • Vanillekipferln with hazelnuts

Ready to make vanilla sugar?

Is the recipe below locked?Here'swhy.

Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe and Substitutes – Oma's Vanillezucker (7)

Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe – Oma'sVanillezucker

This Vanilla Sugar recipe, aka Vanillezucker, is an inexpensive way to make your own flavored sugar for use in baking.

If you live in Germany, it's easy to buy vanilla sugar in the grocery stores. But, if you live elsewhere in the world, what do you do? You make your own!

Prep Time

5 minutes

Wait Time

2 weeks

Total Time

2weeks

Servings:

Makes 1 cup

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (200 grams) of granulated white sugar
  • 1 vanilla bean

Instructions:

  1. Put sugar into seal-able glass/ceramic jar.
  2. Cut vanilla bean in half (not lengthwise or the seeds will come out)
  3. Place bean sections in sugar.
  4. Close jar and place in cool, dark place.
  5. Let sit at least 2 weeks before using.
  6. You can keep refilling the jar with sugar because the beans stay potent for quite some time.

Notes/Hints:

  • If you wish, you can cut the beans lengthwise ... and you'll get more aroma into the sugar. You may also get the seeds in there, but if you don't mind that, it works great.
  • If you're in a hurry, whisk 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) of pure vanilla extract (no artificial or imitation) and 1 cup (200 grams) granulated sugar for about 1 minute. Spread on a parchment-lined baking sheet to dry overnight before using. Store, covered, in a dark cupboard. It's ready to use immediately.

* * * * *

Unless otherwise noted recipe, images and content © Just like Oma | www.quick-german-recipes.com

11.27.2021 revision update

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Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe and Substitutes – Oma's Vanillezucker (19)

Vanilla Sugar Recipe made Just like Oma



By Oma Gerhild Fulson


Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe and Substitutes – Oma's Vanillezucker (20)


This Vanilla Sugar recipe is an inexpensive way to make your own flavoured sugar for use in baking. Many German baking recipes call of this. Now, you can use your own.


Ingredients: white sugar,vanilla bean,

For the full recipe, scroll up ...

Words to the Wise

"Gentle words are a tree of life; a deceitful tongue crushes the spirit."

Proverbs 15:2 (NLT)

Top of Vanilla Sugar Recipe

Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe and Substitutes – Oma's Vanillezucker (2024)

FAQs

Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe and Substitutes – Oma's Vanillezucker? ›

Make your own vanilla sugar by placing 1 sliced vanilla pod (with or without seeds) into a container with 1 cup (200 g) of granulated sugar. Cover and place in a dark cupboard for 2 weeks before using.

How do I substitute vanilla sugar in a recipe? ›

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.

How much vanilla extract for 1 tablespoon of vanilla sugar? ›

Substitute vanilla extract for vanilla in a 1:1 ratio for the vanilla flavor however add some extra sugar. To mimic the flavor and texture of vanilla sugar, mix ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract with one tablespoon of granulated sugar and substitute it for one tablespoon of vanilla sugar.

What can I substitute for 1 packet of vanilla sugar? ›

You can replace one sachet of vanilla sugar with 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Vanilla sugar is less common in the UK and the US, but is easy to make at home.

What is vanilla sugar made of? ›

Vanilla sugar is a simple recipe of granulated sugar infused with vanilla beans. There is nothing quite as simple or versatile as homemade vanilla sugar. 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.

What is the best substitute for vanilla? ›

My go-to substitute for vanilla extract is maple syrup. It has the same sweet aroma, and it does a pretty good job of mimicking vanilla's mellow flavor. Use the same amount of maple syrup as you would vanilla, and you'll barely notice the difference. (This is why vanilla is so expensive.)

What happens if I don't use vanilla extract in a recipe? ›

If you don't have any on hand, you can almost always omit the vanilla without impacting the final texture of your baked goods; although the rich flavor extract—or any form of vanilla—brings will certainly be altered. Just remember one thing: flavor comes first.

How much vanilla extract for vanilla sugar? ›

You can use 1 Tablespoon of vanilla paste or vanilla extract per 1 cup of sugar, but both add color and quite a bit of moisture to your sugar. This moisture will affect your baking recipes.

What can I substitute for 1 teaspoon of vanilla? ›

Honey. Honey adds a bright, floral sweetness to desserts. Like maple syrup, it can also enhance the texture of baked goods. Use 1 tablespoon of honey to replace 1 teaspoon (tsp) of vanilla extract.

How long does vanilla sugar last? ›

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!

What can I substitute if I don't have vanilla? ›

You may use rum or brandy as a substitute for vanilla extract. You can also use vanilla-flavored milk such as almond or soy. You can also use almond extract but only one half of the amount of vanilla called for because of it's stronger flavor.

Is vanilla powder and vanilla sugar the same? ›

The purest form of vanilla powder comes from vanilla beans. The beans are dehydrated and finely ground. But you'll also find another type of vanilla powder on the market, where sugar is added. This type, called vanilla sugar, is popular in France and Mexico and used as a substitute for regular sugar in some recipes.

What is 1 packet of vanilla sugar? ›

About 1.5 teaspoons of homemade vanilla sugar equals a packet, which is typically what is called for in German recipes. You can easily round up to 2 teaspoons, if you want a sweeter, stronger taste. Technically, 1.5 teaspoons is 0.25 ounces and 2 teaspoons is 0.33 ounces. Most packets contain 0.28 to 0.32 ounces.

Can vanilla sugar go bad? ›

If you store the sugar in an airtight container in a cool, dry place then it should last quite a long time and if gifting the sugar we would suggest a shelf life of one year.

What is vanilla sugar? ›

cookery. sugar which has been infused with vanilla.

What is real vanilla made from? ›

Vanilla extract—the kind that explicitly says “pure vanilla extract” on its label—is made by soaking vanilla beans in an alcohol solution to “extract” (get it?) all of their flavor compounds. According to the FDA, vanilla extract must be at least 35% alcohol with a minimum of 100 grams of vanilla beans per liter.

Can you substitute regular sugar for vanilla sugar? ›

Besides using it to sweeten your coffee and tea beverages, I recommend using homemade vanilla sugar as a 1:1 replacement for regular granulated sugar in recipes where vanilla is the prominent flavor and not overshadowed by more flavorful ingredients.

Why use vanilla sugar in baking? ›

Thus, vanilla sugar serves its own unique purpose in giving your recipe the lightest touch of vanilla flavor without changing the overall texture profile. There are several great uses for vanilla sugar that are unique and could not work well with vanilla extract or simply adding fresh vanilla beans.

Is vanilla sugar the same as vanilla powder? ›

The purest form of vanilla powder comes from vanilla beans. The beans are dehydrated and finely ground. But you'll also find another type of vanilla powder on the market, where sugar is added. This type, called vanilla sugar, is popular in France and Mexico and used as a substitute for regular sugar in some recipes.

What is a packet of vanilla sugar? ›

About 1.5 teaspoons of homemade vanilla sugar equals a packet, which is typically what is called for in German recipes. You can easily round up to 2 teaspoons, if you want a sweeter, stronger taste. Technically, 1.5 teaspoons is 0.25 ounces and 2 teaspoons is 0.33 ounces. Most packets contain 0.28 to 0.32 ounces.

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