Infused Vanilla Sugar - Great Gift Idea!

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Are you ready for another ridiculously easy project that ANYONE can do?  I've been on a roll lately of at home projects that are accessible and even kid friendly.  Check out my DIY section for ideas!

This project only requires two ingredients, one vessel, and a knife.  Shout out to my friend Lexy for the great idea! 

You will need:

• 1 whole vanilla bean
• 2 cups granulated sugar
• sharp knife
• something airtight to store your sugar/finished product  

1. Put two cups of white sugar into your vessel.

2. Place your bean on a cutting board and use a small, sharp knife to slice it open lengthwise.  This takes a steady hand and patience, so be careful! 

3. When you have opened your bean, gently scrape the seeds out and put them in to your sugar jar.  These seeds are small and moist, so again, have patience and try to get as many of them as possible. 

4. Add the scraped bean to your jar and SHAKE!  I tried to keep shaking it up every few days.

5. Let your sugar infuse for preferably a month.

6.  ENJOY!  Use this sugar in your coffee, drinks, baking, oatmeal, anything where you would like a bit of extra flavor.   

After two weeks, I bought some smaller mason jars at Target and scooped some sugar in to each of them.  I put 1/4 of a bean in to each jar as well to keep the aroma going.  I then hot-glued some festive ribbon around the lid and sent them off as Christmas gifts!  I asked the recipients to let it steep for two more weeks before enjoying...mean, right?!

Lexy also made her version of infused vanilla sugar, as well as some lavender infused sugars.  HOW CUTE is her interpretation?  I think she may have beat me for creativity and cuteness!

For lavender infused sugar:  add 1-2 tablespoons of chopped (or food-processed) culinary lavender to two cups of sugar.  Then shake and let steep for three to four weeks.  ENJOY!

I hope you love these easy sugars for yourself or for a homemade, easy gift for others.  Let me know if you come up with any fun ways to use them!