How to make vanilla sugar with vanilla beans. There are several vanilla sugar uses, including baked goods, use in coffee, sprinkle on top of cookies or donuts, and more. This vanilla sugar recipe is very easy to make. You can make DIY vanilla sugar almost free by using spent vanilla beans after you make extract. Learn how to make vanilla sugar to add a real vanilla flavor to your foods. You can use this vanilla bean sugar recipe in place of extract for a vanilla flavor without adding liquid.