How to make vanilla powder for baking and vanilla powder uses to use this delicious ingredient to bring a new level of flavor to your dishes. Vanilla powder is easy to make at home, and you can use your spent vanilla beans from making vanilla extract.

Ground Vanilla Bean Powder

I've been making my own vanilla extract for years. Once the beans are spent from using them, I hated to just toss them because they still have some flavor left in them.

I started using them to make vanilla powder to use in baking recipes and drink recipes. You can also use vanilla bean powder as a substitute for vanilla extract if you don't have any made or want a non alcohol version.

For more cooking from scratch recipes, check out these posts:

What Is Ground Vanilla Bean Powder?

Ground vanilla bean powder is made from pure vanilla beans as opposed to them being turned into a paste or sold on their own.

You can use the powder in baking to add a true vanilla flavor without adding liquid using an extract.

Is Vanilla Powder Real Vanilla?

Yes, vanilla powder is made from vanilla beans. As such, not only is vanilla powder real vanilla, but it is also pure vanilla as its only ingredient is vanilla beans.

How Is Powdered Vanilla Made?

Vanilla powder is super simple to make, as it only requires that you grind vanilla beans into a powder. This process is very easy, as will be discussed in greater detail later on.

This is why so many people are learning how to make their own vanilla powder for baking, as it is so easy to do.

Is Vanilla Powder Stronger Than Vanilla Extract?

Yes, vanilla powder is stronger than vanilla extract. This is because vanilla powder is made from only vanilla beans, and there are no real processes that would dilute the flavor of the beans.

How Do You Dry Vanilla?

Vanilla is super easy to dry, as it only requires an oven or dehydrator. To dry vanilla you will lay it out on parchment paper and bake for a period of time until the beans are brittle and easy to snap in half.

How Long Does Vanilla Powder Last?

If your vanilla powder for baking is properly stored, it can last for up to two years. To properly store vanilla powder, it needs to be in a sealed container and kept in a cool and dry place, away from moisture.

What Can You Do With Vanilla Powder?

There are all sorts of things that you can do with vanilla powder as there are plenty of vanilla powder uses. Its most common use is in desserts such as cookies, cakes, brownies, and other such sweets.

It can be used in coffee and tea to help add some extra flavor. Vanilla powder can also be infused into pancake and waffle batter as well. Plus, you can sprinkle it directly onto desserts, breakfast foods, and even foods such as toast.

How Do You Dissolve Vanilla Powder?

Vanilla powder is water soluble, which means that it will dissolve in water. However, not all of it will dissolve, at least in a short amount of time.

As such, if you put any vanilla powder into your coffee or tea, you may still have bits of powder left over.

Can Vanilla Powder Replace Vanilla Extract?

Yes, vanilla powder can absolutely replace vanilla extract. Using vanilla powder for baking is super popular, and easy to do.

In fact, it can be substituted in a one to one ratio. This means that you can use as much vanilla powder as you would vanilla extract, making substitutions super easy to do.

If you'd rather have the extract, you can learn how to make vanilla extract with vanilla beans or make Instant Pot vanilla extract to save time.

You can also make alcohol free vanilla extract.

Vanilla Powder Uses

As you can see, there are plenty of vanilla powder uses, which is why it is quickly becoming popular to make. Following is a simple list of some of the most popular vanilla powder uses.

Use it in coffee to avoid the uncooked alcohol. I love it in this iced vanilla latte recipe.
Add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of vanilla powder to a chai tea latte or your favorite tea recipe.
Use it in desserts such as cookies, cakes, brownies, and more. You can add a teaspoon to the batter or sprinkle it on top. Try sprinkling it on top of this one bowl banana bread recipe.
Infuse it in pancake and waffle mixes. Try it in this overnight French toast casserole or add it to sourdough discard pancakes.
Sprinkle on sweets or even on toast for a delicious flavor boost.

Tips for Making Vanilla Powder Recipe

There are a couple things that can make the process of learning how to make vanilla powder easier. To start, you can use a dehydrator to dry out the vanilla beans if you want to.

Additionally, as a tip it is important to note that your beans must be dry before you start grinding them. Therefore, it is incredibly important to ensure that the vanilla beans are dry and easy to break in half before you start grinding them.

If the beans are not dry, then they risk getting moisture in them. This can shorten the shelf life of your vanilla bean powder.

Similarly, store your ground vanilla bean powder in an airtight container. I use a mason jar with a plastic lid.

Another useful tip is that you can use the vanilla beans leftover from making vanilla extract. Of course, you will have to make extra sure that those beans are dried, but they can be used.

This means that you can get more from your time and resources, and this DIY vanilla powder is free to make!

Use your vanilla powder to learn how to make vanilla sugar.

Ground Vanilla Bean Ingredients

Here's what you need to make vanilla powder:

How to Make Vanilla Powder

This is a super simple vanilla powder recipe that will help you learn how to make vanilla powder. This recipe makes a few tablespoons that can be used in all sorts of recipes, or enjoyed sprinkled on all sorts of foods.

Step One

To start, lay out your vanilla beans on unbleached parchment paper and bake for an hour and a half in your oven at 170 degrees F. You will want to check on the beans around every thirty minutes or so to see if they are hard or not.

You may have to cook these longer than an hour and a half, but be careful not to burn them. You will know that they are ready when the beans are brittle and break with ease.

Step Two

Now, break your vanilla beans into smaller pieces, and put the pieces into an herb or coffee grinder. You can let them cool so they are easier to handle.

Step Three

Grind the beans for thirty to forty five seconds and grind until there are no more chunks remaining.

Step Four

Finally, transfer the vanilla powder for baking into a sealed container for storage.

I hope you enjoy making your own vanilla powder. Use those spent beans for zero waste and to save money while eating some amazing food!

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