How to Make Vanilla 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 nonalcohol version.

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.

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.

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

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