Vanilla Sugar

Vanilla Sugar is one of my simple pleasures in life.  Made with just two ingredients, this Vanilla Sugar is a staple in my pantry.  Sometimes I like to use it instead of regular sugar when baking scones, muffins, cakes or other desserts.  Recently, I made a simple syrup with Vanilla Sugar then mixed it into ice cold margaritas.  Really, you can use Vanilla Sugar in most recipes that call for white sugar.  The substitution will impart a subtle vanilla flavor into anything you are making.  I will have to say though, that my favorite part of this Vanilla Sugar is the aroma.  Once or twice a week, I find myself popping back the lid to take in a noseful of the sweet, heady fragrance.  So simple, yet so wonderful.  Continue reading for the recipe plus a list of some of my favorite simple pleasures.

Learn to love the simple things in life and you’ll always find happiness.  Here are some of the simple things that I love:

• Morning coffee and my Google Reader
• Driving on a warm, sunny day with all of my windows rolled down
• Weck jars and latte bowls
• The smell of onions and garlic sauteing in olive oil
• Cream soda
• The big smile on my boyfriend’s face each time I greet him at the door
• Crispy bacon
• Standing on the beach where the water meets the sand
• Dog ears – so soft!
• The first sip of a bloody mary
• This song
• Mornings in the desert
• Dippies – aka sauces to dip my fries or chicken fingers in
• The few moments after spraying my Jo Malone fragrances
• Freshly chopped fennel fronds
• Dancing to this song
• Holding hands in the car
• Bath & Body Works
• Bargain shopping – especially sharing all of the deals and steals with friends
• Linen spray
• Kangaroo paws
• west elm floorset changes
• Olive oil, balsamic vinegar and warm, crusty bread

What are some of your simple pleasures?

Vanilla Sugar

by Brandon Matzek

This recipe is a great use up for leftover bits of vanilla bean or pods that have been previously used. When I make vanilla ice cream, I like to remove the bean from the cream after it has finished steeping. I then pat the bean dry and use it for this Vanilla Sugar.

4.34 from 3 votes

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Servings 2 cups

Ingredients

  

1x2x3x

• 1 vanilla bean*
• 2 cups white sugar

Instructions

 

• Cut vanilla bean in half widthwise, then cut each piece in half lengthwise. Place sugar in a large airtight container then scrape beans from the vanilla pods into the jar. Toss in the pods, secure the lid and shake to combine.

Notes

* Wondering where you can find cheap vanilla beans? Try Amazon or World Market!

Tried this recipe?Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can check it out!

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Brandon

I’m Brandon: food explorer, recipe curator, cocktail shaker, dessert lover. Kitchen Konfidence is how I document my time spent in my favorite space, the kitchen. Did you make a recipe? Tag @brandiego on Instagram so I can see the how it went!