Homemade vanilla bean sugar cubes embody a charming rustic appeal that combines simplicity with elegance. Crafted with care, these sugar cubes are infused with the rich, aromatic essence of vanilla beans, offering a natural and authentic flavor profile. Their rustic charm lies in their handcrafted appearance, often featuring uneven edges and a slightly textured surface, which highlights their artisanal quality. These vanilla bean sugar cubes are versatile and ideal for sweetening hot drinks like coffee, tea, or hot chocolate. They add a gentle vanilla aroma that enhances flavor. These cubes also make thoughtful gifts when paired with homemade vanilla extract or vanilla syrup, offering a simple way to enjoy or share a delightful vanilla flavor.

Ingredients

• 4 Madagascar vanilla beans
• 3 cups of white sugar
• 1/4 cup pure Madagascar vanilla extract

Process

Preheat the oven to 275° F.

1. To prepare the vanilla beans, cut four beans into small pieces about half an inch long. Then, place them in a food processor and blend into a coarse powder.
2. In a bowl, stir together the sugar, vanilla bean powder, and vanilla extract until well mixed. When the extract is fully blended in, the mixture will resemble dough.
3. Empty the sugar mixture into an 8-by-8-inch pan and spread it out evenly to a 1/2-inch thickness.
4. Use a knife to cut the dough into small cubes, 1/2 inch on each side. To do this, run the knife along the length of the pan every 1/2 inch, then turn the pan and cut across its width every 1/2 inch. This will help you create evenly sized cubes.
5. Bake for 1½ hours, or until cubes are firm to the touch and slightly dry. Once cooled, carefully flip the pan over onto a large cookie sheet to remove the sugar.
6. Allow to cool completely, and then gently break into cubes along the scored lines.
7. For smoother, rounded edges, lightly shake the cubes in a covered pot, then empty them into a colander to remove loose sugar.
8. Store sugar cubes in a glass container with a tight-fitting lid. The shelf life is 2+ years if stored properly.

Vanilla Bean Extract

Vanilla Bean Sugar

Vanilla Bean Syrup

Tagged: dessert, recipes, recipe, baking, desserts, vanilla, vanilla sugar cubes, homemade, gifts