Name: Easy Vanilla Simple Syrup
Cook time: 5 min
Ingredients: 1 cup sugar (granulated); 1 cup water; 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

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This easy vanilla simple syrup recipe will jazz up everything from coffee drinks and cocktails to cakes and baked goods. Only 3 ingredients and 5 minutes and you’ve got an infused simple syrup for coffee drinks and more!

A jar of vanilla simple syrup ready to be used in baked goods or drinks — Easy Vanilla Simple Syrup

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Back in the day, before I had kids, I was a huge fan of baking.

FROM SCRATCH.

Let that sink in.

The me today who has 3 kids and homeschools and runs a business can’t fathom that most of the time.

Like really? Who has the time and energy?

Right. Pre kids me.

Just because I don’t bake much from scratch in this current busy season of life, doesn’t mean all my baked goods have to taste like they came from a box.

No way!

I’m a big fan of hacking box mixes and making them into glorious, gourment tasting treats.

And one of the best ways to do that?

Dousing a cake, muffins, whatever with vanilla simple syrup.

It add moisture, sweetness and flavor to your baked goods.

And that’s not all!

You want a fancy coffee without ponying up the cash for a Starbucks?

Yeah, me too!

Add a couple tablespoons of this vanilla simple syrup into your coffee – or heck- your cocktails (better yet your coffee cocktails!) and enjoy!

What is vanilla simple syrup?

Simple syrup itself is a liquid sweetener.

Plain simple syrup is made by cooking sugar in water until the sugar dissolves in the water.

Flavored simple syrups like this vanilla one add other ingredients like raspberries to the sugar water mixture to get the flavored syrup.

The result is a smooth, sweet liquid with none of the grittiness from the sugar.

This makes it perfect for adding to drinks, flavoring your morning coffee, or pouring over a baked good to make it extra moist.

Ingredients and Kitchen Supplies

Ingredients for Vanilla Simple Syrup: Water, Sugar, and Vanilla Extract

To make this you need:

Sugar– Granulated. Don’t substitute this for any other kind of sugar or sugar substitute.
Water
Vanilla extract– Use real vanilla extract and not imitation since you want the best flavor

Kitchen supplies you’ll need include:

How to Make Vanilla Simple Syrup

1. Combine the sugar and water.

Combine the sugar and water in a sauce pot.

Whisk the sugar and water together in a small to medium sized sauce pan.

2. Cook the sugar and water.

Whisk the sugar and water together in a pot over medium low heat until the sugar dissolves

Cook the sugar and water on the stove top over medium low to medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Whisk consistently.

3. Add the vanilla.

Remove the simple syrup from the heat. Stir in the vanilla.

4. Store or use!

Transfer the vanilla simple syrup to a jar to refrigerate for later use or use in your favorite drinks or baked goods.

Storing

Pour the vanilla simple syrup into a jar for easy storage.

Store this in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

How to Use Vanilla Simple Syrup

You can use it any coffee drink or cocktail.

I enjoy it in:

Vanilla Frappucinos
Add a little to Easy Hot Chocolate Coffee for a black and white style coffee drink
Stir it into Easy White Hot Chocolate
Or adding a bit to Mocha Frappuccinos for a frozen black and white treat!
In place of plain simple syrup in Poison Apple Cocktails
Substitute it for mint simple syrup in Christmas Drink with Rum and Mint
Add a splash to White Chocolate Candy Cane Martini

Flavored simple syrups are also a fantastic way to add moisture and flavor to baked goods by brushing it or drizzling it on things like unfrosted cake layers or brownies.

It adds tons of flavor and moisture to:

And it’s great to add a little extra something to your pancakes and waffles too!

Tips and Tricks

Use real vanilla extract in this and absolutely do not use imitation! It just won’t taste as good, trust me!
If you want to be extra fancy, you could use a vanilla bean. Just cut the pod in half legnthwise and then scrape the inside out into the simple syrup, whisking it very well.
Do not add the vanilla before taking the simple syrup off the heat. The vanilla won’t have as potent a flavor if you boil it.

Did you make this? Let me know!

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