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    In the Kitch » Recipes » Tutorials

    Updated: Feb 24, 2024 · Published: Mar 4, 2019 by Joss Dyckson · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    How to Make Vanilla Powder

    Jump to Recipe
    Vanilla bean powder and sugar in bowls.

    Unadulterated, pure vanilla powder (without the alcohol found in extract) is the secret flavoring ingredient used by a lot of professional bakers. The good news is, you can infuse your baking and beverages with that sweet vanilla aroma and taste by following this easy and quick tutorial for how to make vanilla powder at home!

    Vanilla bean powder in small bowl with spoon.

    Swapping it in baked goods like my red velvet sheet cake and peach tarte tatin instead of extract provides a vanilla flavor boost.

    I love using it in strawberry ice cream sundaes, cake pop frosting and many baked goods, not only because of the natural flavor, but I like seeing the specks of vanilla in the finished product.

    As a bonus, I'm also going to show you how to use the powder to make vanilla sugar.

    Jump to:
    • Vanilla Powder Vs. Extract
    • Ingredients
    • Step #1. Preheat
    • Step #2. Cut a Slit
    • Step #3. Bake
    • Step #4. Cut into Pieces
    • Step #5. Grind
    • Step #6. Transfer
    • Alternative Drying Methods
    • How to Use Vanilla Powder
    • Storage Tips
    • Vanilla Sugar
    • Recipe FAQs
    • ❤️Related Recipes With Vanilla to Consider
    • 📋Recipe

    Vanilla Powder Vs. Extract

    According to a Cook’s Illustrated comparison between vanilla powder and vanilla extract, vanilla powder was favored over vanilla extract for baked goods. The powder is an ideal alternative for those avoiding alcohol due to allergies, religious restrictions, or personal preferences.

    Ingredients

    Vanilla beans on grey-brown background.

    You will need only one ingredient to make vanilla powder: vanilla beans. They are also known as vanilla pods.

    Chef's Note: One vanilla bean pod is only going to make enough powder for a few recipes, depending on what you are using it for. I suggest grinding a few vanilla beans at one time and then storing the rest for later use, as the powder can last for a long time.

    Step #1. Preheat

    Parchment lined baking sheet.

    Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

    Step #2. Cut a Slit

    Vanilla beans on cutting board with knife.

    Cut a slit into the beans, lengthwise, and open them slightly.

    Vanilla beans split open on cutting board.

    Step #3. Bake

    Vanilla beans on baking sheet.

    Place the vanilla beans on the baking tray. Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes, until they are dry. Watch that they don’t burn. Take them out of the oven and wait until they cool.

    Pro Tip: The beans will become more brittle as they cool so make sure not to go over the 5 minutes, even if they seem to be flexible when they first come out of the oven.

    Step #4. Cut into Pieces

    Vanilla beans cut into pieces on parchment.

    Cut the vanilla pods into small pieces.

    Step #5. Grind

    Vanilla bean pieces in coffee grinder.

    Process the baked vanilla pods in a coffee grinder until you get a fine powder.

    Step #6. Transfer

    Vanilla bean powder in jar.

    Transfer to a jar or another airtight container. Your vanilla powder is now ready to use.

    Alternative Drying Methods

    Drying the vanilla pods to remove the moisture is a necessary step when making vanilla bean powder, but there is more than one way to do this. Whichever way you choose, the beans need to be dry enough to grind into a powder.

    Vanilla beans in parchment lined baking pan.

    1. At a Lower Temp in the Oven: This method takes longer than a 350ºF oven but you’re less likely to burn the pods. Preheat the oven to 170ºF (75ºC). This is the lowest temperature for most ovens. Bake the beans in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, until they are dry and brittle.

    Vanilla beans tied together on white plate.

    2. On the Counter (the slowest way): Let the pods dry on the counter for a few weeks.

    3. In a Dehydrator: Dry the vanilla beans in the dehydrator until they are brittle.

    How to Use Vanilla Powder

    Vanilla powder in bowl of frosting.

    Vanilla powder can have many uses. Here are a few suggestions to get you started.

    ½ teaspoon vanilla powder = 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    • You can replace vanilla extract in your recipes with vanilla powder using the above ratio.
    • Mix it into buttercreams and frostings.
    • Just a pinch mixed with sea salt creates the perfect topping for cookies or chocolate caramel bars.
    • You can also add it to your sugar jar for some vanilla-flavored sugar (recipe below). It is a great way to coat fried items like doughnuts or churros.
    • Add it to your homemade ice cream or whipped cream.
    • You can add it to cake batter and cookie dough.
    • Stir it into your coffee, tea or other hot beverages.
    • Combine it with ground coffee. Or, take your dried vanilla bean pods and add them to your grinder with roasted coffee beans. Simply grind them up together, add them to the coffee filter and the result is homemade French vanilla coffee.
    • Blend it into smoothies and shakes.

    Storage Tips

    Once you are done experimenting, store your vanilla bean powder in a plastic or glass jar. Typically, it is best to keep ground vanilla in a dark area like a closet or cupboard that is not too close to the stove or microwave.

    You never want to refrigerate vanilla powder because it will dry out the mixture and ruin the oils.

    If stored correctly, vanilla powder should last for about 2 years, so you can make one large batch and save yourself some future hassle.

    Vanilla Sugar

    Ingredients

    Sugar and vanilla powder in bowl and jar and labeled.

    Vanilla sugar is simply a combination of vanilla powder and sugar.

    *Check recipe card for ingredient amounts.

    How to Make Vanilla Sugar

    Vanilla powder and sugar mixed together in bowl with spoon.

    Combine the vanilla bean powder and sugar in a small bowl with a whisk or spoon. You can use it immediately or wait for a couple of weeks for the vanilla flavor to infuse into the sugar.

    It can be stored in an airtight container in a cupboard/pantry for about 2 years.

    Ways to Use Vanilla Sugar

    You can use vanilla sugar similarly to vanilla powder; the difference is it will be sweetened.

    • Stir it into coffee or other hot beverages.
    • Stir it into coffee cream to make a sweet, vanilla-flavored creamer.
    • Sprinkle it over freshly glazed donuts such as these chocolate donut holes and other baked goods.
    • It's also great as a food gift when packaged in a nice jar.
    Vanilla sugar in bowl with spoon.

    Recipe FAQs

    What is vanilla powder made from?

    Vanilla powder is made from dried vanilla pods (also called vanilla beans).

    Is ground vanilla the same as vanilla powder?

    Yes, ground vanilla and vanilla powder can be used interchangeably.

    What is a substitute for vanilla powder?

    You can use 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract in place of ½ teaspoon vanilla powder.

    Vanilla bean powder in bowl with spoon.

    ❤️Related Recipes With Vanilla to Consider

    • Grapefruit cake with dried edible flowers and icing drizzle.
      Grapefruit Vanilla Cake
    • Raspberry Coulis Crème Brûlée in a ramekin.
      Raspberry Crème Brûlée
    • Homemade banana ice cream with chocolate shavings in a dessert glass.
      How to Make Banana Ice Cream
    • Gingerbread latte and gingerbread coffee syrup.
      Gingerbread Coffee Syrup (+ Latte)

    If you tried this recipe tutorial for How to Make Vanilla Powder or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. And please share the recipe!

    📋Recipe

    Vanilla bean powder in small dish with spoon.

    How to Make Vanilla Powder

    Joss Dyckson
    Unadulterated, pure vanilla is the secret ingredient used by a lot of professional bakers. I will show you how to make your own vanilla powder and vanilla sugar at home! You can infuse your baking and beverages with the sweet aroma.
    5 from 5 votes
    Prevent your screen from going dark
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    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Course Flavoring
    Cuisine African, Mexican, Tahitian
    Servings 5 vanilla beans
    Calories 12 kcal

    Ingredients
     
     

    Vanilla Powder:

    • 5 vanilla beans

    Vanilla Sugar:

    • 1 ½ teaspoons vanilla powder
    • 1 cup sugar

    Instructions
     

    Vanilla Powder:

    • Preheat the oven to 350ºF (180ºC). Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
      Parchment lined baking sheet.
    • Cut a slit into the beans, lengthwise, and open them slightly.
      Vanilla beans on cutting board with knife.
    • Place the vanilla beans on the baking tray. Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes, until they are dry. Watch that they don’t burn. Take them out of the oven and wait until they cool (they will become more brittle as they cool).
      Vanilla beans on baking sheet.
    • Cut the vanilla pods into small pieces.
      Vanilla beans cut into pieces on parchment.
    • Process the baked vanilla pods in a coffee grinder until you get a fine powder.
      Vanilla bean pieces in coffee grinder.
    • Transfer to a jar or another airtight container. Your vanilla powder is now ready to use.
      Vanilla bean powder in jar.

    Vanilla Sugar:

    • Combine the vanilla powder and sugar in a small bowl with a whisk or spoon. You can use it immediately or wait for a couple of weeks for the vanilla flavor to infuse into the sugar.
      Vanilla powder and sugar mixed together in bowl with spoon.

    Equipment

    • Baking tray
    • Grinder

    Notes

    • Storage: You can store vanilla powder in an airtight container, tightly closed, in a cool, dark place (like a cupboard or pantry) for about 2 years. The vanilla sugar can also be stored in an airtight container in a cupboard/pantry for about 2 years.
    • How to substitute vanilla powder in recipes: ½ teaspoon vanilla powder = 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • Ways to use vanilla powder: Stir it into coffee, tea or hot chocolate. I like to add it directly to the coffee filter with the grind for vanilla-flavored drip coffee. Decorate cookies, add to ice cream, whipped cream or frosting, package it and give it away as gifts, etc.
    • Alternative drying methods:
      • 1. At a Lower Temp in the Oven: This method takes longer than a 350ºF oven but you’re less likely to burn the pods. Preheat the oven to 170ºF (75ºC). This is the lowest temperature for most ovens. Bake the beans in the preheated oven for 90 minutes, until they are dry and brittle.
      • 2. On the Counter (the slowest way): Let the pods dry on the counter for a few weeks.
      • 3. In a Dehydrator: Dry the vanilla beans in the dehydrator until they are brittle.
    • Ways to use vanilla sugar: You can use it similarly to vanilla powder; the difference is it will be sweetened. Stir it into coffee or other hot beverages. Stir it into coffee cream to make a sweet, vanilla-flavored creamer. Sprinkle it over freshly glazed donuts and other baked goods. It's also great as a food gift when packaged in a nice jar.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 12kcalCarbohydrates: 1gFat: 1g

    Nutrition information on In the Kitch is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. It may not include toppings and/or sauces.

    Want to see our recipes in action?Subscribe to our channel on Youtube!

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    Comments

      5 from 5 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Linda says

      February 29, 2024 at 7:49 pm

      I totally forgot to make a slit in the beans before drying them in the oven. Can they still be used?

      Reply
      • Joss Dyckson says

        February 29, 2024 at 8:04 pm

        Hi Linda, no worries at all. I would hate to waste a good vanilla bean 🙂 . You can cut one open and check that it's dry all of the way through. As long as it's dry and brittle, you can grind it into a powder. If not, let them dry more before grinding.

        Reply
    2. Keven Entzel says

      January 20, 2024 at 11:39 pm

      Would dehydrating the beans in a low temperature dehydrator work? I would think it would be less destructive to the flavor than high heat.

      Reply
      • Joss Dyckson says

        January 21, 2024 at 8:26 am

        Hi Keven, yes, absolutely you can use a dehydrator. You could even just leave them out on the counter for a few weeks if you have the time. Thanks for the question!

        Reply
    3. Mal Abbey says

      July 20, 2021 at 11:29 pm

      I grow and cure Vanilla beans in my Estate in Sri Lanka. After reading your above article, now I wish to market it also as a powder, I believe the information you have given in this article is going to be very helpful in this Project. However, if you feel that I deserve your kindness to help me further I will be very much more obliged. Thank you ... God Bless you

      Reply
    4. YoNea Cummings says

      September 25, 2020 at 6:55 am

      This is amazing! I was searching for a vanilla extract recipe but will go this route instead. Wow seems the flavor will be much more intense. If this works out, I’ll never have to buy an expensive bottle of vanilla extract again... And the homemade extracts take 6 months to a year to infuse to full flavor.. This is wonderful to know. Thank you for sharing!

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        September 25, 2020 at 8:29 am

        That's great YoNea! It's definitely a quicker option. Thanks for the comment!

        Reply
    5. Lynna Liem says

      September 16, 2020 at 12:51 am

      Thanks for sharing how to make vanilla powder. It's interesting insight.

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        September 16, 2020 at 8:18 am

        No problem Lynna, thanks for the comment.

        Reply
    6. Nita. says

      August 07, 2020 at 8:59 am

      Thank You. That was excellent.

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        August 07, 2020 at 9:02 am

        No problem Nita, happy to hear! 🙂 Thanks for the comment.

        Reply
    7. CantiqueIndonesiana says

      May 23, 2020 at 11:08 am

      Thank you for the recipe

      Reply
      • Joss D says

        May 23, 2020 at 11:10 am

        You're very welcome.

        Reply

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