Vanillasugar Recipes

Steps:

• Place sugar in an airtight container. Split vanilla bean lengthwise. Using the tip of a sharp knife, scrape seeds from the center into sugar; add bean. Seal container and shake until blended. Let stand, covered, at least 1 week. Use as regular granulated sugar, discarding bean as it loses its flavor.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, sift together the flour, salt, and baking powder. Set aside.
• In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, combine the butter and sugar and beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until combined.
• Add the flour mixture in 2 batches, scraping down the bowl after each addition. Beat until the dough just comes together, being careful not to over mix.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Form the dough into a ball, wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Place the ball of dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper and roll out to 1/4-inch thick. Keeping the dough in the parchment, transfer to a cookie sheet and place in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cut out the cookies in the desired shapes and place on a half-sheet pan lined with parchment paper or an un-greased nonstick cookie sheet, at least 1-inch apart. Transfer to the freezer and chill for at least 15 minutes or until they are firm.
• Bake until the cookies are light golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Let cookies cool completely on the sheets before decorating.

Steps:

• If vanilla bean is whole, slice down side of bean with back of knife and scrape seeds into airtight container with the sugar. Bury bean in sugar and seal tightly with lid. Let sit for 1 to 2 weeks. Use as regular, granulated sugar.

Steps:

• Pour the sugar into an airtight container. If the vanilla bean is whole, slice it halfway through the long way, open up the bean, and use a spoon or kitchen knife to scrape out the black gooey specks. Stir the specks into the sugar, and bury the bean pod in the sugar. Cover the jar and let stand for at least 1 week.

Steps:

• Sift together flour, baking powder, and salt; set aside.
• Beat butter and sugar until fluffy.
• Beat in eggs one at a time, scraping down bowl each time, then add vanilla.
• Add flour mixture and mix at low speed until dough just comes together.
• Knead a couple of times just until smooth, then pat into a flat disk, wrap in plastic and chill until firm enough to roll.
• Roll and cut as desired and place on parchment-lined sheets.
• Bake at 350° for 8-10 minutes.

Steps:

• Fill a glass canning jar with the sugar and vanilla beans which have been cut into thirds After a week, you will have infused sugar that can be used in the place of sugar in cakes, pies, anything sweet!