Vanilla bean…..an ingredient that can make almost any dessert more flavourful but it can be quite expensive. So why not make the best use of it ? If you have used, empty vanilla pods, you can make your own vanilla sugar very easily. Here is what you need:

• 2-3 used,dried vanilla beans
• 2 cups granulated sugar

Put 2-3 dried vanilla pods in about 2 cups of granulated sugar. Shake to combine and let sit in an air-tight container for at least one week before use.

You can use it to replace sugar in your cake, cookie or muffin recipes; or sprinkle it over french toasts, pancakes, pastries, etc.

Preparation time = 10 minutes