A simple blend of sugar and spices creates an incredible flavor and aroma that is perfect for anything you can think of! AND THE BONUS? With time, the spices get even more mellow and flavorful, so it's very convenient, if not absolutely necessary, to make as big a jar of this sugar as you can!
You will find an absolutely perfect combination of flavors and aromas in this unique blend of spices and sugar. It is a very subtle composition of spices, where cinnamon and vanilla dominate and together with the other ingredients form a harmonious blend. If you make this blend, it will definitely not be left untouched on a pantry shelf! In fact, its use is really versatile! Just a small amount of spiced sugar will give your cakes, cookies, biscuits and drinks an irresistible taste and aroma that you will want all the time!
When it comes to cooking, I like minimalism, so I like to prepare different kinds of spice blends and mixes to make my everyday cooking easier, or as in this case, preparing drinks and baking. I've already shared my two very favorite seasoning blends for cooking with you here! Homemade BBQ seasoning, which is especially handy for seasoning tomato sauces and Mexican dishes, or for flavoring the simplest homemade BBQ sauce. And also my seasoning blend for chicken, which of course is also great for vegetables, tofu or for seasoning rice or stir-fried noodles!
How does spiced sugar taste?
The composition of this blend is similar to chai spices, but not that much. The aroma and flavor of cloves with vanilla and cinnamon dominate the blend and will remind you of Christmas and the holiday season, more than the Middle East. This blend can also be thought of as a sort of 'grown-up version of regular vanilla sugar'. Exotic spices like cinnamon, ginger and cardamom will warm you up nicely, calm you down in the evening and kick you up in the morning. These spices are also known to be high in antioxidants, stimulate appetite and improve digestion.
How to use spiced sugar?
This spice-sugar mixture is perfect for flavoring sweet dishes and is absolutely wonderful added to beverages - tea and coffee and also in baking. The following list may inspire you on how to use spiced sugar:
- add a teaspoon of this mixture to the batters instead of vanilla sugar,
- it adds an interesting flavor to sourdough and yeasted doughs,
- try baking the most fragrant cookies with it!
- spiced sugar can also be sprinkled on any kind of pancakes, crepes or waffles,
- add flavor to your breakfast porridge, that will brighten up every lazy morning!
- add a pinch of spiced sugar to French toast egg mixture
- or use it as a coat for fried doughnuts or churros.
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I just wonder what deliciousness could be possible using this mixture in Christmas baking. Simple vanilla butter cookies, coated in a mixture with this flavorful spiced sugar? Well, I can't wait for Christmas so I have an excuse to try it!!! Although, why not start preparing for Christmas now in spring??
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This delicious spiced sugar is also wonderful as a gift!
Just fill it into a pretty glass jar or cellophane bag and decorate with string and a tag. Don't forget to include the ingredients and ideas for what to do with it in the kitchen! :))
What ingredients will we need for the spiced sugar?
- Sugar - light cane sugar is best, as it also adds a light caramel aroma, or regular granulated sugar. Just beware of very dark cane, panela or coconut sugar, as their color and aroma can overpower the subtle composition of the chosen spices.
- cinnamon I only use true Ceylon cinnamon, in sweet baking! It has an unmistakable aroma and sweet smell that I love on everything and anytime!
- vanilla - one of the most expensive and also one of the most beloved spices! This time I'm using ground vanilla pod. Ground vanilla is not as expensive as whole vanilla pod. Plus, it's already dried and is used in a similar way to the vanilla pod seed. Vanilla is usually ground very finely, so you only need a few pinches when using it!
- cardamom - only the seeds from the cardamom are used in this recipe, so if you're popping them out of the pods, remember that you can still flavor your tea or coffee with the leftovers from the pods!
- clove - clove is another notable ingredient in this blend! It especially influences its aroma, which makes the blend remind you of a mulled wine or a punch.
- ginger - there is a big difference between fresh and dried ginger. This time we'll use the dried ground one, of course! It will add a slight tang and fresh scent to the mixture.
- allspice - brings out the earthy notes of the blend and complements the aroma and flavor of the clove.
- nutmeg - just a little will add interest to the blend. Mace ("nutmeg flower") can also be used, which has a slightly less intense aroma.
Is it better to use whole or ground spices for making seasoning blends?
Nowadays you can easily find any spices not only whole but also ground. Ground spices will make your work easier when preparing seasoning blends, but I recommend buying them as fresh as possible and preparing your seasoning blends as soon as possible. In this case, spiced sugar. The sugar preserves the ground spices and locks in their flavor and aroma, so they won't go bad. On the contrary, it will develop a beautiful fragrance in the sugar over time.
But if you're a " gourmet" and have given your heart to spices, like me, you'll definitely want to use whole spices and grind them yourself at home! In that case, you'll get the most fragrant version of this blend whose aroma will explode in your face as you prepare it.
I always use those spices that I have on hand, so I give you the quantities for both whole and ground spices in the recipe down below. As always, though, the fresher the spices, the more flavorful the result. Therefore, if your spices are older and have less flavor, feel free to use a larger amount than what I list in the recipe.
How to make spiced sugar?
Making spiced sugar is really simple. Especially if you use ground spices . Just mix all the ground spices with the sugar in a bowl. However, if you are using some whole spices like cinnamon, cardamom seeds or cloves, you will need to bring in a grinder as well. Ideally a spice grinder or coffee grinder. Put the whole spices in the grinder along with 2 tbsp of sugar and grind until fine. To get rid of the bigger parts, it is a good idea to sift the ground spices and sugar through a small sieve and finally mix the mixture with the rest of the sugar and, if necessary, other spices that have already been ground.
Transfer the fragrant spiced sugar to an airtight container, where it will last for months and even years if stored properly.
Looking for inspiration for recipes that can use spiced sugar?
- Jazz up the filling with it in the healthy recipe for Crumble squares with date filling
- It creates a wonderful composition of flavors when added to the Yogurt loaf
- Sprinkle it on freshly made Sourdough crepes
- Use it instead of vanilla sugar in the recipe for Spelt flour and kefir vanilla waffles
- Add it to the whipped sour cream that will go great with blueberries in the recipe for my favorite Sourdough pancakes with blueberry sauce
- Finally, why not to elevate a goodie like Sourdough cinnamon bread with swirl of raisins ?
TIPS:
Recipe for my favorite drink flavored with spiced sugar:
Rooibos cappuccino with spiced sugar
In a small saucepan or baking dish, place 1 heaping teaspoon of Rooibos tea and 1/2 teaspoon of spiced sugar. Cover with boiling water and leave to infuse for 5 minutes. In the meantime, lightly heat the soy (or other) milk and froth with a frother or an immersion blender. Mix the tea with a spoon to dissolve the sugar completely and strain into a mug so that there is approximately 2/3 of the tea. Top up with the frothed milk and foam and sprinkle with cinnamon. The drink is best freshly prepared!
Recipe
Recipe for 140 g
Spiced sugar
Ingredients:
- 6 tbsp light cane sugar or granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon (or 1 stick)
- 0.5 tsp ground cardamom (or seeds from 6 large pods)
- 0.5 tsp ground cloves (or 10 whole)
- 0.5 teaspoon ground vanilla
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger (or crushed dried pieces)
- 1/4 tsp ground allspice (or 8 pcs)
- 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg (or a few grinds)
Instructions:
- If you use ground spices, just mix them with the sugar in a bowl and whisk thoroughly.
- If you use whole spices, then grind them with 2 tbsp of the sugar in a coffee or spice grinder. Then mix in a bowl with the rest of the sugar and other ground spices and stir with a whisk.
- Store the spiced sugar in an airtight container and use as needed.
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