Vanilla Bean Syrup is a smooth, fragrant syrup made with real vanilla bean seeds and pods. It takes about 10 minutes on the stove and tastes far better than store-bought versions. Stir it into coffee, lattes, iced tea, and cocktails, or drizzle it over pancakes, waffles, fruit, and ice cream.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: About 1 1/4 cups (20 tablespoons)
- Category: Beverage
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- 1 cup (240 ml) water
- 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional, for extra flavor)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Combine the sugar, water, and salt in a small saucepan. Add the vanilla bean seeds and the scraped pod.
- Heat over medium heat, stirring, until the sugar dissolves completely, about 3 to 4 minutes.
- Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low and cook for 5 minutes, without letting it boil hard.
- Remove from the heat, cover the pan, and let the pod steep in the syrup for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Stir in the vanilla extract, if using.
- Pour the syrup through a fine mesh strainer into a clean jar or bottle. For a more speckled look, leave the seeds in and remove only the pod.
- Cool completely, then cover and store in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Don’t boil hard: Gentle heat protects the delicate vanilla flavor.
- Keep the pod in the jar: Leave the used pod in the syrup while it is stored for a stronger vanilla flavor over time.
- No vanilla bean? Use 1 tablespoon of vanilla bean paste or 2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract, stirred in after cooking.
- Storage: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
- Thicker syrup: Use a 2:1 ratio of sugar to water for a richer syrup that lasts longer, up to 2 months.
- Ways to use it: Sweeten iced coffee, lattes, matcha, chai, and cocktails, or use it over oatmeal, yogurt, pancakes, and fresh fruit.
- Gift idea: Pour into a clean glass bottle and add a label with the date.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 40
- Sugar: 10 g
- Sodium: 1 mg
- Fat: 0 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: undefined
- Trans Fat: undefined
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/vanilla-bean-syrup/
