Homemade vanilla sugar is one of the easiest pantry staples you can make with just two ingredients. Keep a jar on hand to sweeten coffee, tea, oatmeal, cookies, cakes, and pie crusts with a subtle vanilla flavor that tastes far more special than plain sugar.
Best of all, it takes only a few minutes to put together, and the vanilla beans continue to flavor the sugar for months.
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I love using vanilla sugar in my cooking and baking; it just adds a rich, aromatic kick to a variety of dishes. Making it at home is a breeze, and the best part is that you get to control how much vanilla flavor you want. This sugar is perfect for adding extra vanilla flavor to homemade bread, cookies, and cakes! And, an added bonus, vanilla sugar makes a great gift.
If you like making things from scratch, don’t miss my 6 easy kitchen staples to make from scratch to stock your pantry before you run out.
Recipe Highlights
- Method: No-cook vanilla infusion
- Skill level: Easy, beginner-friendly
- Prep time: About 5 minutes
- Flavor: Sweet and rich with vanilla bean flavor
- Best for: Baking, beverages, desserts, and gift giving
What Is Vanilla Sugar And How To Use It?
Vanilla sugar is simply granulated sugar infused with whole vanilla beans. If you’ve never used vanilla sugar before, think of it as a simple way to add vanilla flavor anywhere you would normally use regular sugar.
As the sugar sits, it absorbs the natural flavor and aroma from the vanilla beans, creating a sweet vanilla-scented sugar that can be used anywhere you would normally use sugar.
Use it in coffee, tea, oatmeal, cookie dough, cake batter, pie crusts, or sprinkled over fresh fruit.
Want The Best Results? Read These Tips First
- Use fresh, plump vanilla beans for the strongest flavor.
- Give the sugar at least two weeks to infuse.
- Shake the jar every few days to distribute the vanilla seeds.
- Leave the vanilla pods in the sugar even after it’s ready.
- Refill the jar with more sugar as you use it.
- You can also make vanilla sugar with vanilla beans that have already been used for homemade vanilla extract. The flavor will be milder, but they still add a wonderful vanilla aroma to the sugar.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
Vanilla Bean Sugar Ingredients
- White granulated sugar: You can also use brown sugar; although the vanilla flavor may not be as pronounced because of the molasses in brown sugar, you will still get a touch of sweet vanilla flavor.
- Vanilla beans: Select high-quality, fresh, whole vanilla beans for the best flavor. Grade A vanilla beans are the best choice. They are long, plump and easy to cut and seed. I recommend using one vanilla bean for every cup of sugar. Use two beans if you’d like a stronger vanilla flavor. I use Native Vanilla Tahitian vanilla beans for the best flavor.
Equipment
You’ll need just a few basic kitchen tools:
- I prefer a glass jar, and I find this Weck canning jar holds two cups of sugar, which is perfect for what I need.
- Knife or scissors – I use these kitchen scissors all the time and they stay sharp and cut the vanilla bean pod easily.
- Cutting board
“Good vanilla sugar takes time; you have to slowly infuse all the vanilla essence from the beans into the sugar over a month or so, but it’s worth it. I know it’s ready when I open the vanilla sugar jar and smell that wonderful vanilla aroma. I use it in so many of my bakes, but love adding a spoonful in my coffee or, if I’m feeling really decadent, in my hot chocolate.”
— Mandy Applegate, Splash of Taste
How To Make Homemade Vanilla Bean Sugar
This simple pantry staple takes just a few minutes to put together, then the vanilla beans do the rest while the sugar infuses. You will find that this sugar just makes everything taste better.
Step 1: Prep the vanilla bean. Lay the vanilla bean flat on a cutting board and carefully split it lengthwise with a sharp knife. Scrape out the tiny seeds and set them aside. Keep the empty vanilla pod to add to the sugar for extra flavor.
Step 2: Combine the sugar and vanilla bean seeds in a small bowl, stirring with a fork or whisk, to distribute the seeds evenly within the sugar.
Step 3: Pour the sugar into an airtight container, such as a mason jar, or into a resealable bag. Stick the vanilla bean pods into the sugar, then seal the container. You can also use the leftover empty vanilla pods to make pure vanilla extract.
Infuse: Let the sugar sit at room temperature for two weeks to infuse the vanilla flavor. For a more intense flavor, let the sugar sit for a month.
When your sugar is nicely infused with that wonderful vanilla, use it to flavor your coffee, sprinkle it on top of your morning oatmeal or add it to a cake batter. There are so many ways to use this vanilla-infused sugar
Try this for a smoother sugar texture; use a food processor or coffee grinder. Pulse a few times until you achieve the desired consistency, and you will get more of a vanilla powder.
Want To Store For Later? Here’s How:
Store vanilla sugar in an airtight container at room temperature away from direct sunlight.
The sugar will keep for months and often improves with age as the vanilla continues to infuse.
As you use the sugar, simply add more granulated sugar to the jar and continue using the same vanilla beans until their flavor begins to fade.
“I love vanilla sugar. It’s a fun way to incorporate vanilla flavor into bakes. We make our own and just have a rolling jar of it, meaning we add a vanilla bean when we have one and fill up the jar with sugar when it’s running low. That way, we’re never out.”
— Laura Sampson, Little House Big Alaska
Using Other Sugars
You can use other sugars, but their flavor may mask the vanilla bean flavor. If you are using a coarser sugar, such as coconut sugar, process the granules into a finer consistency so the sugar can absorb the vanilla flavor.
Can You Make Vanilla Sugar With Vanilla Extract?
Vanilla beans produce the best flavor and aroma, but if you don’t have vanilla beans, you can make vanilla sugar with vanilla extract. Stir 1 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract into 1 cup of granulated sugar, then spread the sugar on a baking sheet and let it dry completely before storing. The flavor won’t be as strong or as complex as vanilla bean sugar, but it works in a pinch.
Varieties of Vanilla Beans
There are two types of vanilla beans to consider when making vanilla sugar. You can use either type individually or blend them according to your preference.
Grade A vanilla beans are my preferred choice because they’re plump, easy to split, and contain plenty of seeds.
Grade B vanilla beans also work well and are often less expensive. Because they’re drier, the flavor may take a little longer to infuse into the sugar.
“Vanilla sugar gives you all you need in one package, and it’s super easy to make. Once a year, I take a small jar, fill it up with sugar and stick a few broken vanilla beans in. DIY sugar forever.”
— Zuzana Paar, Best Clean Eating
Why Make Vanilla Sugar
While you can buy vanilla sugar, this homemade vanilla sugar recipe takes only a few minutes and uses just two ingredients. It’s often more economical than store-bought versions, and you can adjust the flavor by choosing your favorite vanilla beans. Keep a jar in the pantry for adding extra vanilla flavor to coffee, tea, oatmeal, cookies, cakes, and pie crusts, or package it in a pretty jar for a thoughtful homemade gift.
Serving Suggestions
- A spoonful of vanilla sugar stirred into coffee, tea, or hot cocoa is an easy way to add a little extra vanilla flavor to your favorite warm drinks.
- For a sweet, crunchy cookie coating, try rolling these Ginger Cookies in vanilla sugar before baking. The vanilla and ginger flavors pair beautifully together.
- Before baking, sprinkle vanilla sugar over an unbaked pie crust for a delicate vanilla flavor and a crisp, sparkling finish. I especially like using it on these Cherry Hand Pies.
- For breakfast, stir a spoonful into a warm bowl of Stovetop Apple Cranberry Oatmeal or sprinkle it over fresh berries, yogurt, pancakes, or French toast.
Vanilla is one of the most popular baking flavors, and vanilla sugar is just one way to enjoy it. Explore the world of vanilla beans, extracts, pastes, and powders to add rich vanilla flavor to your favorite baked goods.
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Recipe
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How To Make Homemade Vanilla Sugar
Equipment
Ingredients
Instructions
- Clean, sanitize, and dry a sealable storage jar that will hold two cups of sugar. A mason jar works great for this.
- In a medium-sized bowl, add the granulated sugar.
- Cut the vanilla bean pod open. I find it easiest to cut the pod with a pair of kitchen scissors; otherwise, lay the pod flat on the cutting board, use a sharp knife, and make a lengthwise cut to split the vanilla bean in half. With a spoon, scrape out the tiny vanilla seeds inside the vanilla bean.
- With a spoon, scrape out the tiny vanilla seeds inside the vanilla bean and place them in the bowl of sugar. Keep the vanilla bean pod.
- With a spoon,or small whisk, stir the sugar until the vanilla beans have been dispersed throughout.
- Pour the vanilla sugar into the storage jar. Stick the scraped vanilla bean pods into the sugar. If they are too long, cut them in half. This will further infuse the sugar with more vanilla flavor.
- Seal the jar and let the flavor infuse for two weeks before use. Let it sit even longer for a more intense flavor.
- As long as the sugar is sealed well, it will last for a long time.
Notes
Vanilla Sugar Tips
- Use fresh vanilla beans and leave the pods in the sugar for the best flavor.
- Let the sugar infuse for at least 2 weeks before using.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Refill the jar with more sugar as you use it to keep the vanilla flavor going.
- Use fresh vanilla beans and leave the pods in the sugar for the best flavor.
- Let the sugar infuse for at least 2 weeks before using.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
- Refill the jar with more sugar as you use it to keep the vanilla flavor going.
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Nutrition
First published: January 20, 2024. Last updated: June 24, 2026, for better readability.
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Hello there, I’m Jere’
From learning to cook on a farm in Indiana to culinary school in California, my passion for food is never-ending. Turning on my oven to bake something for friends and family is my happy place, and I am glad to be here at One Hot Oven sharing sweet and savory family-friendly recipes for your cooking and baking inspiration.
This article originally appeared on Food Drink Life.
Thank you for this simple and delightful recipe! I love how easy it is to make homemade vanilla sugar with just two ingredients, and your step-by-step instructions make it very beginner-friendly. The idea of letting it infuse for a deeper flavor is especially helpful. It’s such a versatile addition to coffee, baking, or even as a thoughtful homemade gift—definitely something I’ll be trying soon!
Thanks for the kind comment for the vanilla sugar recipe. It’s so easy to make and it does make a great gift.
The recipe is very helpful. Thanks for sharing!!
I am glad this was helpful, homemade vanilla is so easy to make.
This is such a simple but genius idea! I love how easy it is to make at home, and the tip about using the leftover vanilla pods for extract is so smart. I can already imagine adding this to my coffee, hot chocolate, and cookies—what a lovely way to elevate everyday treats. Definitely trying this—thanks for sharing!
Thanks for the kind comment. I love making homemade vanilla and especially giving it as a gift.
I just finished making my first jar of vanilla sugar and it already smells so good! I can’t wait until it’s ready to use!
It does smell good, doesn’t it. I’m in love with vanilla!
I had previously bought a very expensive bottle of vanilla sugar, and then found your recipe which is easy and tasted better.
This vanilla sugar has been a wonderful ingredient! I started making it when I saw this post. I used grade-A vanilla beans to make the vanilla sugar, but it turned out very clumpy and I can’t shake it loose. I love using it in our lemon scones, as well as sprinkling it on top of muffins and cakes. Love it.
This was brilliant! I’ve begun placing all the vanilla pods I get for my extract into my sugar jar. This not only keeps them fresh but also gives me the added benefit of having vanilla sugar. I love it! Thank you.
The beans you use from your extract ..do you have to wait til they dry? When I take mine out they are all wet from being in the extract so I just trying to see what I need to do before putting them in the sugar. I have been wondering what else I can use the pods for and this seems like a perfect way to use them.
Yes, you need to dry the vanilla beans before adding to the sugar. I put mine on pieces of paper towels for about an hour so they aren’t dripping with the extract, then put them in the sugar.
I tried this yesterday because this is what I need for my pudding recipe and it was perfect! I used Grade A vanilla beans to make this and I loved the result. I will keep on using this often, thank you.