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 (18)

Vanilla Sugar Recipe made Just like Oma



By Oma Gerhild Fulson


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


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

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.

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

What can I use instead of vanilla sugar?
  • Vanilla Powder.
  • Pure Vanilla Extract.
  • Vanilla Bean Paste.
  • Vanilla Syrup.
  • Vanilla Pod.
  • Vanilla Flavored Milk.
  • Regular Sugar.
  • Icing Sugar (or Powdered Sugar)
Jan 29, 2023

Is vanilla sugar the same as vanillin sugar? ›

While vanilla sugar is made of sucrose (household sugar) and crushed vanilla beans and/or vanilla extract, vanillin sugar is a mixture of sucrose and vanillin [3]. The latter is considerably more favorably priced and can be found as a standard baking ingredient in almost every supermarket.

What is vanilla sugar in German? ›

Vanilla sugar (German: Vanillezucker, Polish: Cukier waniliowy, Hungarian: Vaníliás cukor, Swedish: Vaniljsocker, Macedonian: Ванилин шеќер) is a commonly used ingredient in many European desserts.

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.

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.

Can I replace vanilla sugar with vanilla extract? ›

It is very fine sugar and generally used for baking as vanilla extract is less common. You can replace one sachet of vanilla sugar with 1-2 teaspoons of vanilla extract.

What is the best substitute for vanilla? ›

8 substitutes for vanilla extract
  1. Vanilla paste. Vanilla paste — also called vanilla bean paste — is a mix of vanilla extract, vanilla beans, and sugar. ...
  2. Vanilla powder. ...
  3. Vanilla sugar. ...
  4. Almond extract. ...
  5. Maple syrup. ...
  6. Honey. ...
  7. Bourbon, brandy, rum, or vanilla liqueur. ...
  8. Vanilla flavored plant-based milk.
Nov 12, 2021

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.

How much vanilla extract for vanilla sugar? ›

1 – How to Make Vanilla Sugar with Vanilla Extract

I like a strong vanilla flavor so I add 2 tablespoons vanilla extract to 1/2 cup [100 g] sugar. You might prefer to start with 1 tablespoon and add more to taste.

What is the shelf life of vanilla sugar? ›

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!

Does 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 in the US? ›

One is sugar with vanilla extract blended into it, and the other is extracted from vanilla beans or made with artificial esters.

What is vanilla sugar in UK? ›

Vanila Sugar - 20g

Vanilla sugar is made of sugar and vanilla beans or sugar mixed with vanilla extract. Vanilla sugar can be utilized in a variety of desserts; from apple pies, snickerdoodles and crème brûlée to light and airy pavlova's.

Why is it called Madagascar vanilla? ›

Madagascan vanilla beans, also known as bourbon vanilla, have nothing to do with bourbon whiskey. Rather, these beans are grown on islands in the Indian Ocean formerly known as the Île Bourbon, which is made of islands we know as Madagascar, Comoros and Réunion today.

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.

Does Aldi have vanilla sugar? ›

The Pantry Vanilla Flavoured Sugar 150g | ALDI.

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