Learn how to make a simple Powdered Sugar Glaze with just three ingredients! This easy icing recipe is ready in minutes, the sweet vanilla flavor is delicious, and it's so versatile. Use it to decorate everything from donuts to cookies, quick breads, cakes, and so much more!
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Ginnie's Take
As we head into fall baking season and the holidays, I thought I'd share one of my fave back-pocket baking recipes with you: this easy Powdered Sugar Glaze. This tasty icing truly couldn't be easier (or faster) to make. You'll love the sweet vanilla flavor, and it's the perfect finishing touch for all your sweet treats. I've been making this recipe for years (decades? lol), and I love drizzling it over quick breads, cookies, scones, etc. Basically, any baked good that needs a little something extra!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Delicious - This tasty glaze has a classic sweet vanilla flavor that's impossible to resist.
- Quick + Easy - The recipe is fast and foolproof! Simply mix the ingredients together, and it's ready to use.
- Versatile - Drizzle this Sugar Glaze over anything and everything! You can easily customize the recipe by adding different extracts, juices, spices, and other flavorings, too. It's so versatile, and you'll find lots of ideas for using it (and customizing it) below.
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Ingredients
This homemade Glaze is made with basic ingredients you can find in any store! Here's what you'll need:
- Sugar - You'll need some Powdered sugar (also known as confectioners sugar or icing sugar), of course.
- Milk - Use 2% milk or whole milk for the best results. Nondairy milks can also be used, and I think that unsweetened soy milk, which has a creamy texture and neutral flavor, works best.
- Vanilla - A touch of vanilla extract gives the glaze a lovely, rich flavor.
This recipe is naturally vegetarian, gluten free, and nut free. For a vegan and dairy free glaze, use plant based milk and (for vegan diets) organic powdered sugar, or sugar that is specifically marked vegan.
How to Make Powdered Sugar Icing
This Confectioners Sugar Glaze is so easy to make! You'll find a recipe card with measurements below, but the process is simple. Add the ingredients to a bowl, then mix until smooth. And voilà, it's ready to use!
Adjusting the Thickness: You can make this Powdered Sugar and Milk Glaze thicker or thinner, depending on how you want to use it. To make it thicker, simply add more powdered sugar (a little bit at a time). To make it thinner, add more liquid (drop by drop, a little goes a long way).
Variations
The best thing about this basic Glaze recipe? You can customize it a million different ways! Try one of these easy ideas:
- Liquids - Swap out the milk for water, coffee, maple syrup, apple cider, honey, tea, liqueurs / spirits, or juices. This Maple Glaze is one of my favorites!
- Extracts - Replace the vanilla extract with other flavored extracts, such as almond, rum, coconut, maple, or peppermint.
- Spices - Stir in warm spices (like cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg, or ginger). Spice blends (such as pumpkin spice) also work great.
- Other Flavorings - Add citrus zest, cocoa powder, or matcha powder.
- Vegan - Substitute plant based milk and organic powdered sugar. I prefer soy milk, which has a creamy texture and neutral flavor.
- Dairy Free - Use plant based milk.
How to Use
This homemade Glaze makes any dessert so much tastier! Here are a few ways you can use it:
- Donuts - Dunk homemade donuts in the glaze.
- Breads -Drizzle over cooled quick breads, like pumpkin bread, pound cake, and banana bread. I used this glaze on this scrumptious Cranberry Banana Bread and a flavored version on this cozy Apple Banana Bread!
- Cookies - Decorate cookies by spreading or drizzling the icing over them, or by dipping them in the glaze. I used this Vanilla Glaze for these Olympic Medal Cookies and these Stamped Cookies, and I used flavored versions for these Coffee Chocolate Chunk Cookies, Maple Pecan Shortbread, Cranberry Nut Cookies, and Lavender Lemon Cookies.
- Cakes - Spoon generously over cakes. It's so much faster than frosting!
- Cupcakes + Muffins - Add to muffins and cupcakes after baking. I used this icing on my popular Coffee Cake Muffins recipe!
- Scones - Drizzle over homemade scones.
- Other Baked Goods - Pair it with everything from cinnamon rolls to apple fritters.
Storage
If you have any leftover drizzle, store it in an airtight container in your refrigerator for four to five days. Let warm to room temperature, and adjust the thickness with more milk before using, if needed.
Related Recipes
If you enjoyed this recipe, make sure to try my Maple Syrup Glaze next! And you'll love these other icings and frostings, too:
- This mouthwatering Cream Cheese Frosting (without Butter) makes any dessert more delicious!
- Looking for a light, tangy frosting recipe? This Sour Cream Frosting recipe is a favorite.
- This simple Cookie Icing recipe makes decorating your fave cookies fun and easy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Yes, Powdered Sugar Glaze will harden, it just takes a little time. To speed things up, cool your baked goods before adding the glaze. Refrigerating your treats will also hasten the hardening process.
Yes, you can use water to make Powdered Sugar Glaze in a pinch. However, I prefer to use milk, because it gives the finished glaze a creamier texture and richer flavor.
Powdered Sugar Icing and Glaze are made with the same ingredients. The difference is in their consistency. Icing tends to be a little thicker, while glaze is thinner. You can easily adjust this recipe to work as both an icing and a glaze!
Powdered Sugar Glaze
Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Add 2 cups powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to a medium bowl, then stir in just enough milk (starting with 1 tablespoon) so the glaze is thin enough to drizzle.
- Use immediately or store in refrigerator. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
