I’ve tried making flavored sugar before but was always annoyed with how it would turn into one huge, rock hard clump within just a few hours. And shelf life was.. not too great. So I tried drying it in a hot oven before putting it in a jar. Success! And that smell.. oh my! I can’t say anything about shelf life yet but I’m sure it’ll be ok for a few months. I’m pretty sure I’ll use it before that.
I’m so excited to use these sugars to make pink meringue (no artificial coloring!), to top my pies and crème brûlée, sugar cookies, for drinks or ice cream or to top fresh fruit. They’d be perfect for just about anything sweet I guess. I’d also like to try mint sugar, and ginger!
If you want more tips on edible gifts you can make a few days before christmas, check out my DIY – Edible gifts in jars post from a couple of years ago. It includes a lot of nice gifts such as brownie mix, oatmeal cookie mix, hazelnut chocolate spread, herb salt, chai latte spice mix and cinnamon granola.
Blueberry vanilla sugar
Yields 1 cup sugar
This sugar doesn’t taste a whole lot like blueberry, but it does taste a lot like vanilla! It also looks pretty, and it’s perfect to be able to make pink sugar without using a bunch of artificial ingredients. Lime or lemon zest would also make a great addition to this sugar.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tsp. freeze dried blueberry powder
- 2 tsp. lemon juice
- 225 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla bean powder
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 75°C (170°F).
- In a medium bowl, mix together the blueberry powder and lemon juice and stir until a paste forms. Add the sugar and vanilla and stir with a spoon until the sugar is evenly pink.
- Spread sugar on a baking sheet covered with baking paper.
- Dry the sugar in the oven for approximately 30-35 minutes, stirring every now and then.
- Let cool completely, then put sugar in a mortar and pestle to break up any large clumps. Store sugar in an air tight container.
Lemon herb sugar
Yields 1 cup sugar
I used rosemary and basil, which was what I had at home. Thyme or mint would also be delicious!
INGREDIENTS
- 1/3 cup + 2 tbsp fresh herbs
- 1 tsp. lemon juice
- finely grated zest from 2 small lemons
- 225 g (1 cup) granulated sugar
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 75°C (170°F).
- Put the herbs in a mortar and pestle together with 2 tbsp of the granulated sugar and grind until herbs are finely ground. Add the lemon juice, lemon zest and the rest of the sugar and stir with a spoon until everything is well mixed.
- Spread sugar on a baking sheet covered with baking paper.
- Dry the sugar in the oven for approximately 40-45 minutes, stirring every now and then.
- Let cool completely, then put sugar in a clean and dry mortar and pestle to break up any large clumps. Store sugar in an air tight container.
Orange rum vanilla sugar
Yields 1 cup sugar
The rum adds a very nice taste to this sugar, but if you don’t wish to use alcohol you can use more orange juice in place of it.
INGREDIENTS
- 225 g (1 cup) demerara sugar
- finely grated zest from 2 oranges
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla bean powder
- 1 tsp. orange juice
- 1 1/2 tsp. dark rum
INSTRUCTIONS
- Preheat oven to 75°C (170°F).
- In a medium bowl, stir together all ingredients.
- Spread sugar on a baking sheet covered with baking paper.
- Dry the sugar in the oven for approximately 40-45 minutes, stirring every now and then.
- Let sugar cool completely, then put sugar in a mortar and pestle to break up any large clumps. Store sugar in an air tight container.
Ohhhh such a gorgeous gift to give and receive Linda!!! You always come up with special christmas edible gifts!!! Really loved it…I´m definitely preparing them as well for treating and surprising my best friends!!
Thanks for such great ideas!!
Lots of love
Pat
These sugars are absolutely beautiful, Linda! I have my eye on that vanilla blueberry sugar – I can’t get over the color.
WOW I’ve never seen something more beautiful! This is such a Special and great idea for a gift. I really love it!
Looks absolutely beautiful Linda, those colours are simply amazing! This is such a great idea and besides, home-made edible gifts are always the best ones 😉
What kind of camera & what settings do you use? Your photography is gorgeous. Do you do photography courses for new beginners?
Lots of love from Norway xx
Such a brilliant idea!!! I have to find time to make everyone of these, asap!! They sound perfectly delicious and a pantry must have . Merry Christmas Linda!!
I made them for my mum for Christmas and you should have seen the twinkle in her eye. She just adored them.She actually tasted a couple before she gave her judgement but yes she loved them. Thanks for such a lovely edible gift recipe..looking forward to many more such recipes.
I’m adding these recipes to my list of awesome foodie gift ideas. Really love the Orange Rum Vanilla Sugar.
Must try.
Thank you so much for posting these I tried making them today and love the orange and vanilla sugar. Great on porridge!