Powdered Sugar Glaze {Vanilla Cake Glaze}

Quick and easy easy powdered sugar glaze recipe, homemade with 3 simple ingredients: powdered sugar, milk, vanilla. Dries semi-hard. Perfect for drizzling on cakes, especially bundt cakes, cupcakes, donuts, cookies and other baked desserts.

This is the quickest and easiest way to take any baked good from plain to perfection. Since it dries semi-hard, it's very different than my Glace Icing or Royal Icing which are both predominantly used for cookie decorating and dry hard. Some of these other recipes also make a wonderful drizzle on top of desserts: Chocolate Ganache, Chocolate Gravy, Homemade Dulce De Leche, Homemade Caramel Sauce, and Nutella Syrup.

Jump to:

• How to make powdered sugar glaze recipe from scratch?
• What to pair with vanilla cake glaze?
• Variations for confectioners glaze
• Tips and techniques for pourable icing
• Recipe FAQs
• Storage
• More Homemade Icing And Frosting Recipes
• Recipe

How to make powdered sugar glaze recipe from scratch?

1. Whisk ingredients- This includes powdered sugar, milk, vanilla extract.
2. Thin/Thicken Glaze- Add more milk to thin it or add more powdered sugar to thicken it.
3. Drizzle it- On top of your baked goods.

What to pair with vanilla cake glaze?

• Bundt cakes- Such as Lemon Bundt Cake or Chocolate Bundt Cake.
• Cakes- Such as Cinnamon Roll Cake , Sock It To Me Cake , or Louisiana Crunch Cake.
• Crumble cake- Like this Easy Crumb Cake.
• Pie- Such as this Easy Apple Crumble Pie.
• Pound Cakes- Such as Chocolate Pound Cake, Lemon Pound Cake, Buttermilk Pound Cake, Cream Cheese Pound Cake, or Sour Cream Pound Cake .
• Muffins- Such as Cranberry Orange Muffins, Chocolate Chip Muffins , Easy Pumpkin Muffins, Banana Muffins, Cinnamon Muffins
• Sweet Breads- Sweet Potato Bread, Easy Banana Bread, Orange Cranberry Bread, Easy Pumpkin Bread, or Chocolate Banana Bread
• Scones- Such as this Cranberry Orange Scones.
• Fritters- Like these delicious Apple Fritters .
• Donuts- Such as these Baked Apple Cider Donuts or these Easy Pumpkin Donuts.
• Cookies- Like these Pistachio Cookies , Easy Heart Cookies, Cream Cheese Cookies, Best Oatmeal Raisin Cookies, or Oatmeal Lace Cookies.

Variations for confectioners glaze

• Try other extracts- Such as almond, maple, lemon, orange, or even anise.
• Add zests- Such as lemon, orange, lime, or even grapefruit.
• Use vanilla bean- For great flavor and a speckled appearance.
• Add instant coffee- For a rich and bold flavor.
• Add cocoa powder- To make a chocolate glaze.
• Add some alcohol- Such as bourbon or rum.
• Add spices- Such as ground cinnamon, ginger, apple pie spice, or pumpkin spice.
• Milk substitute- You can use heavy cream, half and half, or evaporated milk, if you prefer.
• Make it vegan- Use a non-dairy milk of your choice such as soy, almond, or coconut milk.
• Replace milk with melted butter- For a richer, buttery flavor to the glaze.
• Add food coloring- Liquid food coloring or gel food coloring can be used to match a theme for your next event or party.
• Add browned butter instead of milk- For a nutty flavor that is extra rich and delicious.
• Add shredded coconut- This adds some texture.

Tips and techniques for pourable icing

• Sift powdered sugar- Because this breaks up lumps and makes for an ultra smooth consistency.
• Use clear extract- Because this prevents discoloration, leaving the glaze bright white.
• Cake or other baked goods must cool completely before icing is drizzled- Because this prevents the icing from melting and sliding off the dessert completely.
• Whisk until smooth- Because this makes the best velvety consistency, and produces a nice gloss finish.
• Pour glaze slowly- So as to not drench the dessert, or make it too thick.
• How to thin glaze? Start with 2 tablespoon milk and add more to thin out the glaze to your preference.
• How to thicken glaze? If icing is too thin, mix in some more powdered sugar.
• Why does this taste weird? Most powdered sugar has cornstarch added to it and that adds a subtle metallic powdery taste.

Recipe FAQs

Storage

• Make ahead instructions- Follow recipe below and then store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 days. It will have to whisked again, prior to being used. 
• Refrigerate- In a sealed container for up to 2 days.
• Freeze- This is not recommended as it may become watery and separate upon thawing.

More Homemade Icing And Frosting Recipes

• Cinnamon Roll Icing {Without Cream Cheese}
• Brown Sugar Frosting

Recipe