Vanilla Sugar

Bahan-bahan

* 16 ounces granulated sugar

* 2 whole vanilla beans

Petunjuk

* Preheat the oven to 175ºF. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then lay out the vanilla beans with space in between each bean on the baking sheet.

* Bake in 30 minute increments and check them every 20-30 minutes. The exact time it takes will depend on how large the vanilla bean you have, but plan about 2 hours for this process. Again, watch them closely and take them out as soon as they are done so that you don't burn the vanilla beans.

* Bake the beans until they snap. You'll know the beans are completely dried when the snap like a twig when you try to break them.

* Allow the beans to cool to room temperature.

* Snap the vanilla beans into small pieces, then process them in a coffee grinder on the finest setting it has. Vanilla powder does not dissolve, so you want that powder as fine as possible to have smooth vanilla sugar.

* In a bowl, mix the sugar and vanilla powder evenly until the tiny black specks are throughout.

* Seal it in an airtight container and you are ready to use it for all of your baking.

* Store the sugar in an airtight container in a cool dry place for up to 1 year.

How to Use Vanilla Sugar

*Sugar Cookies. Sugar cookies made with this sugar will look so pretty cause they give a blank canvas to see those pretty little specks.

* Strawberries. Sprinkle the sugar over strawberries for strawberry shortcake.

* Cinnamon rolls. Add this sugar to our popular cinnamon roll dough.

* Vanilla ice cream. Homemade ice cream or custard is so, so good!

* Vanilla cupcakes and buttercream.

* A hearty oatmeal recipe. Load it up with raisins and nuts!

* Add to hot chocolate or homemade whipped cream.