Well, it looks like Punxsutawney Phil did not see his shadow, which means Spring is near! So in true Groundhog Day fashion, I’m going to spend the last few weeks of winter hibernating and making all of the delicious things with this fragrant vanilla sugar. Because it’s really the only time of year you can use “winter weight” as an excuse for gaining 10 pounds, so I might as well lean in.

This vanilla sugar is stupidly simple to make, and really stretches the life of those expensive vanilla beans. Use it in place of regular sugar, for an extra punch of vanilla flavor. Just be sure to plan ahead, as the sugar needs to infuse for 1-2 weeks before using. I promise it will be worth the wait, and the weight.

Vanilla Sugar

Ingredients:

2 C sugar

1 vanilla bean

Pour sugar in a large airtight container. Using a sharp paring knife, split the vanilla bean in half. Scrape the seeds into the sugar, and stir to combine. Place the empty vanilla pod into the sugar, and seal the container. Give the container a few gentle shakes to make sure the vanilla seeds are well dispersed and the vanilla bean is completely submerged in the sugar. Let the sugar infuse for 1-2 weeks before using.