Easy Vanilla Glaze

What makes this glaze so good?

Glaze, also called icing, is made by combining powdered sugar with liquid. It’s thinner than frosting and is made without butter. This glaze is the perfect finishing touch to my favorite baked goods and I use it ALL. THE. TIME. Here’s a few reasons why I love this glaze:

Quick + easy to make. Whip up this glaze in just 2 minutes with 3 simple ingredients.

A baking staple for every baker. Drizzle this super easy (and super delicious!) vanilla glaze over your favorite pound cakes, muffins, cookies and more!

Foolproof recipe. Just grab a bowl and a whisk. This recipe is literally impossible to mess up!

Versatile. With so many variations, you can easily customize the recipe to suit your sweet tooth.

Ingredients

This homemade vanilla glaze is made with just 3 simple ingredients. Keep these basic ingredients stocked in your pantry:

• Powdered sugar – also known as confectioners’ sugar, it’s best to sift it after measuring to remove any lumps and bumps.
• Heavy cream or milk – if using milk, stick with whole milk or 2%. Milk will produce a slightly thinner consistency than heavy cream. You can also use half and half, or for a citrus punch, substitute the milk with the juice from a lemon or orange.
• Vanilla – just a splash helps to balance the taste. For the best flavor, use a high quality vanilla extract. Steer clear of anything labeled “artificial”. For a bolder taste, you can swap the vanilla extract for vanilla bean paste or actual seeds scraped from a vanilla bean.

How to make vanilla glaze from scratch

This glaze comes together in just 3 easy steps with just a bowl and a whisk. It’s so simple! Follow this step-by-step guide and check the recipe card below for ingredients and detailed instructions.

Step 1: Sift the powdered sugar into a medium bowl.

Step 2: Gradually add 4 to 5 tablespoons of heavy cream or milk. Next, add the vanilla.

Step 3: Whisk until smooth and pourable. If the glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If too thick, add more of the reserved heavy cream or milk. Whisk until desired consistency is reached. The thinner you make the glaze, the softer it will be once poured over baked goods. The glaze will not harden like royal icing, but it will firm up nicely as it sits.

Variations

• Almond extract – swap the vanilla extract with almond for a bold, distinct flavor.
• Fruit juice – substitute the heavy cream or milk with freshly squeezed lemon or orange juice. For an extra punch of citrus flavor, add in 1/2 teaspoon of the lemon or orange zest.
• Vanilla bean paste – for a deeper vanilla flavor, use vanilla bean paste or beans from a real vanilla bean pod.
• Maple syrup – for a cozy Fall vibe, substitute some of the milk or cream for pure maple syrup.
• Cinnamon – a sprinkle of cinnamon is delicious with coffee cakes and muffins.
• Food coloring – to tint the icing, add 1 to 2 drops of gel food coloring. It’s a fun and festive way to brighten up a simple cake!

Uses for vanilla icing

There are a million and one ways to use this vanilla glaze. Drizzle it over muffins and scones, pour it over pound cakes and cinnamon rolls, and pipe it over cakes and cookies. When I’m not eating it straight from the spoon, here’s a few of my favorite ways to devour this delicious icing:

• Vanilla Pound Cake
• Apple Spice Cake
• Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake
• Glazed Old Fashioned Donut Cake
• Funfetti Pound Cake
• The Best Blueberry Streusel Muffins
• Raspberry Streusel Muffins
• Glazed Lemon Bundt Cake
• Donut Cake