How to Make Flavored Sugar

You are not going to believe how easy it is to make flavored sugar at home. It only costs pennies compared to the high price of buying flavored sugar. When making your own homemade flavored sugar you are in control of the amount of flavor you want and the enormous extract selections. You only need TWO INGREDIENTS to make extract flavored sugar.

FLAVORED SUGAR INGREDIENTS LIST-full recipe below in printable recipe card

• 1 cup granulated white sugar
• 1 teaspoon flavor extract

FLAVORED SUGAR INSTRUCTIONS

1. Pour sugar into a large bowl, add extract to the sugar.
2. With a spoon, smash and stir until the sugar is fully coated with the flavoring.
3. Set aside to dry. FOR BEST RESULTS STIR EVERY 15 MINUTES until the sugar is completely dry (about 1 hour- 1½ hours).
4. This will help with the sugar becoming hard from the moisture of the extract. You will still have a few hard pieces of sugar. Pour the sugar into a fine sieve, push the sugar through to break up the small pieces of sugar. Store in an airtight container up to a year.

PRO TIP: WHAT DO I DO IF MY SUGAR HAS BECOME A HARD ROCK?

As stated above, to prevent the sugar from becoming a large hard rock, stir every 15 minutes. BUT…if your schedule doesn’t allow you to hang around the house while the sugar dries never fear I have a solution for you! The first time I made flavored sugar I made it and left for the day thinking it would take more than a day for it to dry. I was wrong! By the time I got home (5 hours later) the sugar had become a hard rock. I couldn’t even break it up with a spoon. I had to us a knife to get it to break up into manageable chunks. Now what? I had this amazing sugar in big chunks. I thought about using a blender but then I was afraid I would end up with powdered sugar. The solution was using a fine sieve. I put small amounts of the sugar in my sieve and pressed it through the fine mesh. For some pieces I had to rub it back and forth over the mesh. It felt like I was “sanding” my sugar. I’m happy to report it worked beautifully and the sugar was back to fine grains.

WILL THIS METHOD WORK ON POWDERED SUGAR?

In short the answer is no. Add any kind of moisture added to powdered sugar will result in a gummy texture. If you want to add flavor to powdered sugar for a glaze, go ahead and make a glaze. HOWEVER there is a way to make flavored powdered sugar from flavored granulated white sugar.

HOW TO MAKE FLAVORED POWDERED SUGAR: The magic ratio is 1 cup flavored granulated sugar to 1 tablespoon cornstarch. Combine the two in a high-powered blender, a food processor, or spice grinder, or immersion blender, then blend away until you have a soft, powdery consistency—the total time could be several minutes, depending on the power of your machine.

Is Flavoring Sugar the Same as Infusing Sugar?

In a word, no. Infusing sugar would be using things like vanilla beans, coffee beans, rose petals, herbs, citrus zest etc. Infusing items like this, although a great method, it does take time. Even up to a couple of weeks, and the flavor will not be as strong as using an extract. Especially if you plan to take whatever you infused with from the jar. Using extract, you have your flavored sugars quickly, and controlling the amount of flavoring is easily adjustable.

How to Use Flavored Sugar

• BEVERAGES: Flavored sugar or flavored simple syrup (instructions below) is a great way to add flavor to iced tea, hot tea, coffee, Frappuccino, latte, and cocktails.
• BAKED GOODS: Sprinkle flavored sugar over sugar cookies or muffins before baking for a delicate flavor. EXAMPLE: With just a sprinkle of maple sugar on top of the muffins before they’re baked will add another layer of delicious flavor to your oatmeal muffins.
• ICE CREAM: Adding flavored sugar to homemade ice cream is a great way of adding flavor without compromising the integrity of the ice cream custard or mix. EXAMPLE: Use ube sugar to make ube flavored ice cream! DELICIOUS!
• PIE DOUGH: Add some flavored sugar to a sweet dough for an added touch of flavor.
• CRÉME BRÚLÉE: Use flavored sugar to make the hard shell topping.
• FRENCH TOAST: Add a few tablespoons of flavored sugar to the French toast custard, whisk until sugar is dissolved, dip bread on both sides, and cook.

HOW LONG DOES EXTRACT FLAVORED SUGAR LAST?

If stored properly (in an airtight container) the flavored sugar will last up to a year.

HOW TO MAKE FLAVORED SIMPLE SYRUP

Pour equal parts flavored sugar and water into a saucepan, then turn the burner on low. Bring the sugar mixture to a low simmer and the sugar has dissolved. For a thicker consistency, let the sugar simmer for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so it doesn’t burn. Leave the lid off so that some of the liquid can evaporate, which is what will cause the syrup to thicken.

HOW LONG DOES SIMPLE SYRUP LAST?

Allow the simple extract flavored syrup to cool completely, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to one month. For infused simple syrup: using herbs, spices, or fruit the shelf life will be greatly reduced.

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