FOOD GIFT: Vanilla Sugar

ok so you cant cook..and cant bake..and have no time.. you can still make a homemeade gift!~!

Vanilla sugar makes an excellent baking ingredient. Almost all sweet baked goods, such as cakes, cookies and pies, will benefit from the warm tones that vanilla sugar imparts. Vanilla sugar also adds interest and dimension to breakfast staples like pancakes and waffles. When baking, substitute the regular sugar called for in your recipes  with vanilla sugar, and omit any vanilla extract. You can use it both in the base recipe and in frostings, icings and glazes.

 

Sprinkle vanilla sugar over corn flakes, oatmeal, cream of wheat, or any other basic cereal for a sweet addition to your breakfast. Vanilla goes well with many flavors, so try adding fresh fruit and other toppings that complement the flavor of the vanilla sugar. Fresh berries and vanilla sugar are a classic combination that will turn your routine bowl of oatmeal into a special treat.


Stir some vanilla sugar into your coffee for a new flavor. (Be careful when combining with flavored creamers, though, as too much vanilla can be overpowering and unappealing.) Add vanilla sugar to black or herbal tea, use it instead of regular sugar when making hot cocoa, and add it to cocktails. A bit of vanilla sugar used in your favorite daiquiri recipe will transform it into your signature cocktail. You can even rim the glass in vanilla sugar for an extra touch.
Sprinkle a few teaspoons of vanilla sugar over grapes, strawberries and other fruits that benefit from a little added sweetness. Start with a small amount and add to taste. You can also sprinkle vanilla sugar over a grapefruit half or a few slices of fresh pineapple. Pass the fruits under the broiler for several minutes, just until the sugar starts to caramelize.

Vanilla Sugar

• 1 vanilla bean, cut in 1-inch pieces
• 3 cups granulated sugar

Add 1 vanilla bean pieces to the sugar. Cover and let sit for 2 weeks before using or giving as a gift. Do not remove the vanilla bean pieces. Store in an airtight container. Use for baking, cookie decorating, beverages, etc..


sprinkle it on cookies, dust it across french toast and belgian waffles, stir it in hot cocoa, use it in whip cream, use it to rim glasses for a sweet and classy additon to dessert drinks; use vanilla sugar in place of regular sugar when making cutout sugar cookies. The switch has a huge flavor impact in such a simple recipe


Rather than adding vanilla extract vanilla sugar is so much more heavenly; mix our vanilla sugar with cinnamon, nutmeg, lavender, and a tad bit of salt for a wonderful cinnamon and sugar blend to top toast, oatmeal or anything else.  Vanilla sugar is great on berries that are macerating in sugar to extract their liquid for an added depthness.

use it to make “hot vanilla” (hot milk with vanilla sugar and extract)

add some to leftover rice with a splash of cream for a quickie bowl of rice pudding