Pinterest

Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe and Substitutes – Oma's Vanillezucker

Oma Gerhild

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

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my links, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure for more information.

Soups & Stews Just Like Oma cookbook (New Contest!)

This Vanilla Sugar recipe, aka Vanillezucker, 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.

Make your own vanilla sugar ...

The resulting vanilla sugar, in the recipe below, is used for flavoring many German 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!

Grab your copy of Oma's favorites in her Special Occasion German Cakes & Tortes e-Cookbook.

Take a look at Oma’s Special Occasion Cakes & Tortes eCookbook and enjoy the traditional taste of German cuisine!

Take a peek at all Oma's eCookbooks. They make sharing your German heritage a delicious adventure!


Where to use Vanilla Sugar?

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

Ready to make vanilla sugar?

Soups & Stews Just Like Oma cookbook (New Contest!)

Homemade Vanilla Sugar Recipe – Oma's Vanillezucker

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

You might like these


Follow Oma on Social Media:

Buy me a coffee?

Leave a comment about this recipe or ask a question?

Pop right over to my private Facebook group, the Kaffeeklatschers. You'll find thousands of German foodies, all eager to help and to talk about all things German, especially these yummy foods. 

Meet with us around Oma's table, pull up a chair, grab a coffee and a piece of Apfelstrudel, and enjoy the visit.

Newest Recipes

  1. German Potato Dumplings Recipe: Oma's Kartoffelklöße (Kartoffelknödel)

    german potato dumplings 1600 web
    German potato dumplings, or Kartoffelklöße, are a classic side dish. Learn how to make my Mutti’s authentic, traditional, and delicious, yet easy recipe!

    Go to Recipe

  2. German Apple Pudding Cake – Heidi's Apfel-Puddingkuchen

    apple pudding cake 600 2020
    This apple pudding cake tastes like a traditional apple bread pudding cake. It's one of those easy desserts that's delicious warm with ice cream and sprinkled with cinnamon. Wunderbar!

    Go to Recipe

  3. German Cauliflower Bomb: Omas Blumenkohl-Bombe Rezept

    Cauliflower Bombe on plate
    This baked cauliflower bomb is a centerpiece dish that gets rave reviews EVERY TIME! Cauliflower, meatloaf and bacon. Together. What's not to like? And, it's so easy to make!

    Go to Recipe

*  *  *  *  *


PIN to SAVE this recipe to your Pinterest board!

And let’s be friends on Pinterest!

Make your own vanilla sugar ... for baking and sprinkling over pancakes, etc., so easy ❤️.
Check out https://www.quick-german-recipes.com/vanilla-sugar-recipe.html

Vanilla Sugar Recipe made Just like Oma



By


Vanilla Sugar Recipe made Just like Oma


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)

Copyright © | Quick German Recipes (Just like Oma) | All Rights Reserved

Powered by: Make Your Knowledge Sell!

AFFILIATE DISCLOSURE: Quick German Recipes participates in various affiliate advertising to provide a means to earn advertising fees by linking to retail websites. This website is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com and affiliated sites. I will not promote products I do not own or would not buy myself. My goal is to provide you with product information and my own personal opinions or ideas.  At times, I will showcase services, programs, and products. I aim to highlight ones that you might find interesting, and if you buy future items from those companies, I may get a small share of the revenue from the sale. We are independently owned and the opinions expressed here are our own.

PHOTOGRAPHY: Throughout my site, you'll find mostly photos that I've taken in my kitchen. I also feature some reader-contributed images and curated stock IMAGES BY Deposit Photos and others, offering further perspectives on recipes and all things German.

YOU SHOULD ALWAYS PERFORM DUE DILIGENCE BEFORE BUYING GOODS OR SERVICES ONLINE.

Quick-German-recipes.com does not sell any personal information

copyscape image