I like having simple ingredients on hand that can do more than one job. Vanilla powder is one of those quiet pantry staples. It takes a little time to make, but once it’s done, it’s easy to use and lasts a long time. It’s especially helpful when you want vanilla flavor without adding liquid to a recipe.
This is also a good way to use up vanilla beans completely. Instead of tossing them once they’ve dried out, you can turn them into something that keeps working for you.
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vanilla beans
Equipment
- Dehydrator
- Coffee grinder or spice grinder
Instructions
- Place the vanilla beans in a dehydrator in a single layer.
- Dehydrate on a low setting until the beans are completely dry and snap easily when bent. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can use an oven set to its lowest temperature. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Break the dried beans into small pieces.
- Grind the pieces in a coffee or spice grinder until a fine powder forms. Make sure the beans are fully dry before grinding to avoid clumping.
- Sift if needed to remove any larger bits, then grind again.
And that’s it.
How to Use Vanilla Powder
- Use in place of vanilla extract in dry baking recipes
- Add to cookies, cakes, muffins, and pancake batter
- Mix into sugar, salt, or spice blends
- Stir into oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies
- Sprinkle into coffee grounds or hot chocolate
Vanilla powder is concentrated, so a small amount goes a long way.
How to Store
Store vanilla powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Kept away from moisture, it will last for months and often longer without losing flavor.
Homemade Vanilla Powder
I like having simple ingredients on hand that can do more than one job. Vanilla powder is one of those quiet pantry staples. It takes a little time to make, but once it’s done, it’s easy to use and lasts a long time. It’s especially helpful when you want vanilla flavor without adding liquid to a recipe.
Equipment
- Dehydrator
- Coffee grinder or spice grinder
Ingredients
- 1 ounce vanilla beans
Instructions
- Place the vanilla beans in a dehydrator in a single layer.
- Dehydrate on a low setting until the beans are completely dry and snap easily when bent. If you don’t have a dehydrator, you can use an oven set to its lowest temperature. Watch closely to prevent burning.
- Break the dried beans into small pieces.
- Grind the pieces in a coffee or spice grinder until a fine powder forms. Make sure the beans are fully dry before grinding to avoid clumping.
- Sift if needed to remove any larger bits, then grind again. And that’s it.
Notes
How to Use Vanilla Powder
- Use in place of vanilla extract in dry baking recipes
- Add to cookies, cakes, muffins, and pancake batter
- Mix into sugar, salt, or spice blends
- Stir into oatmeal, yogurt, or smoothies
- Sprinkle into coffee grounds or hot chocolate
Store vanilla powder in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. Kept away from moisture, it will last for months and often longer without losing flavor.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
