Vanilla Powder Recipe

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Here in Spain, it can sometimes be hard for me to find vanilla extract. So I had to find an alternative. Thankfully, vanilla powder is super easy to make and works every bit as well as extract does. Plus, it’s easy to make!

What Is Vanilla Powder?

Vanilla powder is simply dried vanilla bean, ground into powder. In commercial varieties, however, it is often a combination of vanilla extract and a drying agent such as cornstarch or dextrose. Basically, it’s an alcohol-free way to get that delicious vanilla flavor into your baking.

What Is Vanilla Bean Powder At Starbucks?

The Starbucks version is a bit different. It’s a sweetened powder made with sugar, vanilla flavoring, and if you’re lucky, a bit of dried vanilla bean specks.

Is Vanilla Powder The Same As Vanilla?

Vanilla refers to the bean itself. But beyond that, there is vanilla extract, vanilla beans, vanilla flavoring, and vanilla powder. All of them have that vanilla flavor we love so much, but all are made with different ingredients. (Except for the actual beans, of course).

What Is Vanilla Powder Used For?

Vanilla powder can be used in as many things as vanilla extract. It’s great for baking, adding to your coffee, stirring into oatmeal, or even blending into smoothies.

Can I Replace Vanilla Extract With Vanilla Powder?

Absolutely! The substitution ratio is 1:1. So if a recipe calls for 1 tsp. of vanilla extract, you would use 1 tsp. of vanilla powder instead. That said, the flavor can be a bit more concentrated. But so far, I haven’t found that to ever be a bad thing. It’s hard to add too much vanilla. Not impossible, but difficult.

Why Is Vanilla Powder So Expensive?

There are a few reasons that Vanilla powder is expensive:

1. The vanilla bean is actually quite labor-intensive as a crop.
2. The vanilla orchid can take up to three years to fully mature and produce beans.
3. The process of making vanilla powder is, at a large scale, quite time-consuming to make and it can be difficult to maintain the flavor.

How To Use Vanilla Powder

Not sure how to use vanilla powder? Here are some suggestions:

• For baking – Add it in a 1:1 ration in place of vanilla extract.
• In drinks – It goes well in coffees, lattes, hot chocolate, and smoothies.
• On breakfast – Add some to your oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes, or waffles.
• In whipped cream – Beat it in just as stiff peaks begin to form.
• In frosting – Simply fold it in with a spatula.
• For dusting – Dust the tops of anything you bake with some vanilla powder.
• In spice mixes – It works for some meats, and definitely for dessert.

Pro Recipe Tips

• You can also use your oven on the lowest setting just be sure not to burn them. 
• It can be used instead of vanilla extract in recipes.

What You’ll Need To Make Vanilla Powder

• 1 ounce Vanilla beans
• Dehydrator 
• Coffee grinder 

How To Make Vanilla Powder

Remove the vanilla beans from their packaging and place them on a dehydrator tray. 

Dehydrate on a low setting until you can easily snap the vanilla beans. Break them into small pieces.

Put the small pieces into a grinder and grind until it turns into a fine powder. 

Transfer to a storage container (glass is best) and store in a dark cabinet such as a spice cabinet.

Storage

In an airtight, glass jar, vanilla powder will keep for up to 2 or 3 years.

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