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Powdered Sugar Glaze

Powdered Sugar Glaze

Name: Powdered Sugar Glaze
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 10 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 2 cups powdered sugar; 2 tablespoons butter, softened; 1 teaspoon vanilla; 3 to 4 tablespoons milk or half-and-half

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By Pillsbury Kitchens

Updated Aug 28, 2024

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Our powdered sugar glaze is your go-to topping for just about any sweet baked good you can create! It’s made in just 10 minutes with only four ingredients you probably already have on hand. Create a silky smooth, sweet white glaze that can be slathered or drizzled over baked goods such as quick breads, sweet rolls, cupcakes, or cookies.

These four ingredients come together in an irresistible glaze that gives your baked goods star powder:

Powdered Sugar: It is the backbone of this easy to make topping. It’s powdery consistency dissolves readily with the other ingredients into a smooth glaze that isn’t at all grainy, like it would be if made with regular granulated sugar.

Butter: Adds just a hint of dairy flavor that goes well with the powdered sugar and amplifies the vanilla. It’s added softened to blend with the other ingredients, making a smooth and spreadable concoction.

Vanilla: Just a hint of vanilla is all you need to boost the flavor of your baked goods.

Milk or Half-and-Half: Why do we list 3 or 4 tablespoons? Because this glaze is versatile! A stiffer glaze can be spread over your baked goods, while a thinner glaze can be drizzled. See How to Make Powdered Sugar Glaze below for all the details.

How to Make Powdered Sugar Glaze

Use these tips along with the recipe, to show you exactly how to make a glaze that’s bakery-worthy for any of your delicious baked goods!

Measure Accurately

To measure powdered sugar accurately, spoon it into the cup (rather than scooping the cup into the powdered sugar) and level off with a spatula or the side of a table knife.

Add Softened Butter and Vanilla

For the perfect glaze consistency, be sure the butter is soft enough to leave a fingerprint but not so soft that it’s melted at all. Stir butter and vanilla together with a spoon before adding the milk, for the smoothest texture.

Add the Milk

Start by adding 3 tablespoons of milk or half-and-half. Stir until smooth. You can decide if you want the icing sugar glaze thinner, so you can drizzle, it or leave it thicker to spread. If you decide you want it thinner, add it in 1 teaspoon increments until the glaze consistency is exactly how you want it.

Ways to Use Powdered Sugar Glaze

Powdered sugar glaze can be used for so many types of sweet baked goods, beyond glaze for cake! Our vanilla glaze recipe is terrific for many types of delicious foods coming out of your oven:

Quick Breads, Coffee Cakes or Muffins: Make your breakfast treats sing with flavor, with the addition of Powdered Sugar Glaze. Slather it over Banana Bread or drizzle an extra layer of indulgence over Pumpkin Cheesecake Monkey Bread or Cranberry-Orange Scones.

Pies, Cakes, Cupcakes, or Desserts: Pies and desserts like Chocolate-Caramel Crumb Cupcakes or Blueberry Slab Pie become extra-special when drizzled with glaze. Or make cookies such as Easy Kolaczki Cookies even more irresistible when topped with the glaze.

Scrumptious Glaze Variations

You can change up the glaze to enhance the flavor of your treat or complement it, for a layer of flavor. Try any of these yummy variations on our powdered sugar glaze recipe:

Almond Glaze: Substitute 1/4 teaspoon almond extract for the 1 teaspoon vanilla. Once glaze has been spread or drizzled on your baked good, sprinkle with sliced almonds for even more flavor and texture.

Chocolate Glaze: Add 2 oz. unsweetened chocolate, melted with the butter.

Coffee Glaze: Substitute hot water for milk. Dissolve 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules or crystals in the hot water.

Lemon Glaze: Substitute 2 tablespoons lemon juice for part of milk and add 1 teaspoon grated lemon peel.

Maple Glaze: Add 1/2 teaspoon maple extract or flavor.

Orange Glaze: Substitute orange juice for milk and add 1 teaspoon grated orange peel.

Spice Glaze: Add 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, allspice, or ginger with the butter.

Add Toppings: Add color and texture by sprinkling the glaze (once spread or drizzled over your baked good) with candy decors, finely chopped or sliced nuts, or mini chocolate chips, before the glaze has a chance to set up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is My Glaze Runny?

The glaze can be runny because either too little powdered sugar was used or too much milk was added. See the How to Make Powdered Sugar Glaze section above to see how to measure the powdered sugar and add the milk.

It’s easy to fix runny glaze! Simply add a tablespoon of additional powdered sugar at a time—stirring until smooth—until the desired consistency is achieved.

Why is My Powdered Sugar Glaze Lumpy?

Lumpy glaze happens when either the butter was added before it was completely softened, or the glaze wasn’t stirred until all the powdered sugar was dissolved. See the How to Make Powdered Sugar Glaze section above for the correct butter consistency. You can use the back of a spoon to press out any powdered sugar clumps, until the glaze is smooth.

Why Won’t Decors Stick to the Glaze?

If the glaze has set, it will no longer be sticky enough to hold anything sprinkled over the top. And instead, the sprinkles simply roll off.

To get ingredients to stick to the glaze, sprinkle the glazed baked good with any toppings (see Scrumptious Glaze Variations section above) immediately after topping with glaze; before it has a chance to set up.