Cream Cheese Glaze is a secret weapon that can be used to make many desserts extra delicious. Sweet, tangy and so versatile, and this recipe takes just 5 minutes to make!
This cream cheese glaze recipe is one I have used and adapted time and time again for various different desserts, snacks, and breakfasts. It's amazing drizzled over my Cinnamon Roll Muffins or as a beautiful topping for my Pumpkin Bundt Cake.
The beauty of this homemade cream cheese glaze is that it is super versatile - just a slight tweak in the amount of liquid added can take it from dipping consistency to piping consistency. This is one of those glaze recipes I guarantee you will come back to time and time again.
Jump to:
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Easy recipe takes just 5 minutes
- Change the consistency for drizzling, dipping, or piping.
- Adds an effortless extra layer of flavor to any sweet treat
Ingredients
This easy cream cheese glaze has just a few staple ingredients you probably already have at home.
- Cream Cheese - Full-fat cream cheese is best. Make sure it's at room temperature.
- Butter - Salted or unsalted, according to personal preference. Room temperature.
- Powdered Sugar - Also known as confectioner's sugar or icing sugar. You can adjust the amount of sugar depending on how sweet you want the glaze to be.
- Vanilla - This really deepens the flavor - you can use pure vanilla extract, or I like to use vanilla bean paste so I get the little black specks of vanilla in the cream cheese glaze.
- Milk (optional) - You can use milk to control the consistency of the glaze, the more you add, the more runny it will be. Use any kind of milk.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Cream Cheese Glaze
This easy cream cheese glaze recipe couldn't be much simpler, it will be ready to use in just a few minutes.
- Beat together the butter and cream cheese until smooth. It is important they are both at room temperature or it may turn out lumpy. You can use an electric mixer or just do this by hand with a bowl and a wooden spoon.
- Sift in the powdered sugar to remove any lumps. Mix in until combined. If you are using a hand mixer, make sure you do this on low speed to avoid a dust cloud.
- Add the vanilla and mix until incorporated.
- Check the consistency of your glaze. If you want it a little runnier, add a dash of milk. If you want it thicker, add a little more powdered sugar until you reach the desired consistency.
How To Use Cream Cheese Glaze
This simple cream cheese glaze can be used in so many different ways. Combining it with some of your favorite recipes can really take them to the next level. The tangy cream cheese cuts through the sweetness of a lot of desserts and makes a huge difference to the end result.
Here are some of my favorite ways to use it:
- Muffins - Drizzling cream cheese glaze over any muffin recipe instantly makes them better. I love them in top of my cinnamon roll muffins.
- Breakfasts - Add some extra flavor to pancakes or waffles, such as my Cinnamon Waffles recipe.
- Cinnamon Rolls - If you make homemade cinnamon rolls, the cream cheese cinnamon roll icing is arguably the best part! Make it a little thicker so you can spread it on.
- Bundt Cakes - Pour the cream cheese glaze over a bundt cake for a beautiful and delicious topping. For more control over the drips, put it in a piping bag and squeeze it on. I did this for my Maple Pecan Bundt Cake and my Pumpkin Bundt Cake.
- Donuts - Make the glaze a little runnier and you can dip whole donuts into it to coat them in glaze. I used this method for my Pumpkin Spice Donuts.
- Banana Bread - Cream cheese glaze makes a great topping to drizzle over some warm banana bread.
Variations
Maple Cream Cheese Glaze - Add a few tablespoons of maple syrup, instead of milk to the glaze for this tasty twist. This is great for fall desserts like my Maple Pecan Bundt Cake or my Pumpkin Spice Donuts.
Almond cream cheese glaze - Add a dash of almond extract for an almond cream cheese glaze. This would be delicious drizzled over my Almond Croissants recipe.
Boozy Cream Cheese Glaze - For an extra special glaze, add a few tablespoons of your favorite booze into the glaze instead of the milk. I particularly like this with Amaretto.
Cinnamon Cream Cheese Glaze - add some warm spices like cinnamon or ginger for a perfect glaze for your fall baking.
Colorful Cream Cheese Glaze
Cream cheese glaze takes on color really well, which makes it a great way to add some fun into festive and holiday desserts. Try adding some food coloring to tailor it to your theme.
Equipment
You don't need any fancy equipment to make this easy cream cheese glaze. You can use a stand mixer or electric mixer if you want, but it's also easy to make with just a mixing bowl and a wooden spoon.
Storage
Leftover cream cheese glaze can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
I don't recommend freezing it, as it can split when thawing and have an unpleasant texture.
FAQ
Cream cheese frosting is a thick and fluffy frosting that can be piped and holds its shape, it is made by beating air into the cream cheese and butter. This is what you get on things like my Red Velvet Brownies.
Cream cheese glaze is a silky, decadent glaze that has a pourable consistency and can create a beautiful drip down your desserts or can be drizzled on top of things.
Cream cheese frosting is the classic frosting found on red velvet cake and carrot cake. Cream cheese glaze is a great alternative for those who don't like the thicker frosting but still want the perfect balance of cream cheese and sweetness.
If you've added too much liquid, your cream cheese icing will spill off your favorite desserts instead of clinging to the sides. The easiest remedy is to add a little extra powdered sugar, as that will absorb the liquid.
It's very easy to add too much icing sugar and make your frosting extremely sweet. If you've already doctored the icing and have found it's way too sweet, add some extra cream cheese.
Start with a tablespoon or two and add a little more as needed until you get the perfect consistency.
This is a great cream cheese glaze for cakes, donuts and muffins. It is also a wonderful cinnamon roll icing recipe.
Pairing
This easy cream cheese glaze pairs well with these dessert recipes:
Recipe
Cream Cheese Glaze
Ingredients
- 4 oz Cream Cheese 113g (room temperature)
- ½ stick Unsalted Butter 57g (room temperature)
- 1 cup Powdered Sugar 120g
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- 2 tablespoon Whole Milk (optional)
Instructions
- Make sure the butter and cream cheese are both at room temperature, then beat them together until creamy and smooth.4 oz (113 g) Cream Cheese, ½ stick (57 g) Unsalted Butter
- Sift the powdered sugar into the bowl, then mix it in until there are no lumps.1 cup (120 g) Powdered Sugar
- Add the vanilla and a pinch of salt if desired. Mix until incorporated.1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Check the consistency of your glaze. If you want a more runny glaze, add 1-2 tablespoons of milk until the desired consistency is reached. If you want a thicker glaze or have added too much milk, you can add a little more powdered sugar to thicken it up again.2 tablespoon Whole Milk
laura
Any baked goods with this glaze will have to be stored in the refrigerator??
Jules Grasekamp
Hi Laura,
Yes as the glaze contains cream cheese, any baked goods with it on will need to be stored in the refrigerator if keeping for more than 4 hours.
Jules
Azi
8uabdn
Monica v
Does the glaze harden?
Jules Grasekamp
Hi Monica,
No this glaze stays soft 🙂
Jules
Chris Radwanski
I could sit down and eat this stuff with a spoon, its that good! Great recipe, keep up the good work!
Victoria
Could I add pumpkin pie spice to this glaze without ruining it?