Vanilla Glaze is a baking staple that every baker should have in their toolkit - and this one has a secret ingredient to make it extra special.
This isn't your average vanilla glaze recipe. While most glazes are just powdered sugar and milk, this version uses melted butter for a richer flavor, silky-smooth texture, and a slightly firmer set, making it perfect for drizzling over a bundt cake, dipping donuts, or glazing scones without it sliding off or soaking in.
I use this homemade vanilla glaze across many of my dessert recipes because it's incredibly versatile and easy to adapt. Add citrus zest, swap in almond extract, or tweak the consistency to suit your bake - this glaze handles it all beautifully.
And unlike many recipes online that use "glaze" and "icing" interchangeably, this is a true glaze: pourable, glossy, and designed to set. After years of baking professionally and developing recipes for the blog, I've honed this one to be both foolproof and flexible, with plenty of tips to help you get perfect results every time.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Vanilla Glaze Recipe
- Powdered Sugar Icing vs Vanilla Glaze
- Ingredients For Powdered Sugar Glaze Recipe
- How to Make a Glaze with Powdered Sugar
- Vanilla Glaze Recipe Variations
- How to Use Powdered Sugar Glaze
- How To Store Vanilla Glaze
- Vanilla Glaze Recipe FAQs
- Recipes to use with Vanilla Glaze
- Recipe
Why You'll Love This Vanilla Glaze Recipe
- Richer flavor and smoother texture from using melted butter.
- Extremely versatile - change the flavor and consistency to suit any dessert.
- Foolproof and easy - ready in just a few minutes.
Powdered Sugar Icing vs Vanilla Glaze
The terms 'glaze' and 'icing' are often used interchangeably, but there is a slight technical difference. Though they both use the same simple ingredients, icing is typically thicker, making it ideal for spreading or piping, whereas glaze is usually thinner and pourable, better for drizzling and dipping.
With a regular powdered sugar icing, you could just add a little more liquid to it to turn it into a glaze - but my recipe for vanilla glaze also adds the melted butter for a smoother mouthfeel and slightly firmer set, so I do consider them as two separate recipes.
Ingredients For Powdered Sugar Glaze Recipe
The basic ingredients for this vanilla glaze recipe are similar to those for a powdered sugar icing, but with one delicious addition:
- Powdered Sugar - Also known as confectioner's sugar or icing sugar. If you don't have it, you can still make icing without powdered sugar by pulsing granulated sugar in a food processor until it makes a fine powder.
- Butter - Use unsalted butter. This is my secret ingredient for the best vanilla glaze, but if you prefer, you can leave it out.
- Milk - Milk will let you control the consistency of the glaze. The more milk, the runnier the glaze. I like to use whole milk for that creamy flavor, but any kind of milk, heavy cream, or even water, will do the trick.
- Vanilla - A really high-quality vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract will make all the difference, adding a lovely depth of flavor. The paste will give little flecks from the vanilla beans which make for a beautiful vanilla bean glaze.
See the recipe card for measurements and the full recipe.
How to Make a Glaze with Powdered Sugar
Just like classic vanilla icing, this easy vanilla glaze recipe could not be simpler.
Sift Powdered Sugar
Sift the powdered sugar into a medium bowl - this is crucial in any powdered sugar icing, to make sure there are no lumps.
Melt Butter
Melt the butter in the microwave in 30-second bursts, then pour it into the bowl with the powdered sugar, along with the vanilla and milk.
Mix all the ingredients together with a spoon until smooth and lump-free.
Perfect the Consistency
Adjust liquid to get your desired consistency - add a dash more milk for a runnier glaze.
If you want a thicker glaze, you can add less liquid to begin with, add a little more powdered sugar, or wait for the icing to set up a little.
Vanilla Glaze Recipe Variations
One of the best things about this simple vanilla glaze is that one easy recipe can be modified so many ways, just by adding different flavorings.
In my mini bundt cakes recipe, I make one big batch of vanilla icing and divide it into small bowls, adding a different flavoring to each, to get 6 flavors out of one recipe.
- Lemon Glaze - Add a squeeze of lemon juice to your base vanilla glaze, then top with lemon zest to decorate.
- Coffee Glaze - Simply pour in freshly brewed espresso or some espresso powder.
- All White Glaze - In this recipe, the butter and vanilla can add a slight color to the glaze. Personally, I think it looks more appetizing, but if you want a completely white glaze, leave out the butter and use a clear vanilla extract.
- Pistachio Glaze - Mix in some pistachio butter or pistachio cream.
- Strawberry Glaze - Homemade strawberry glaze is perfect for tarts and fruit, but for drizzling on top of cakes, you can mix this vanilla glaze with a spoonful of seedless strawberry jam.
- Maple Glaze - Stir a little maple syrup into the base icing for a sweet maple glaze.
- Chocolate Glaze - For a shiny chocolate glaze, melt a little bit of dark chocolate at the same time as the butter, and replace the milk with 1-2 tablespoons of boiling water. Keep adding until the chocolate glaze is shiny and fluid.
How to Use Powdered Sugar Glaze
The beauty of this powdered sugar icing is its versatility. You can dip, drizzle, or pour this velvety glaze to your heart's content!
- Bundt Cakes - I love using this glaze as the perfect icing for bundt cakes. In my mini bundt cakes recipe, I use one base recipe to make 6 different flavors, just by adding to this glaze recipe.
- Scones - Dip or drizzle your fluffy scones with vanilla glaze for the perfect finishing touch.
- Pound Cake Glaze - You can pour this on top of pound cake as a thick glaze, or you can thin it out with some milk for more of a Lemon drizzle cake icing.
- Cinnamon Roll Icing - Though i'm a sucker for a cream cheese glaze for this, if you want something simpler then this vanilla glaze works well on cinnamon rolls or Cinnamon Roll Muffins.
- Icing for Muffins - This glaze adds just the right amount of sweetness to blueberry muffins, highlighting the juicy berries to give each bite a soft, sweet finish.
- Pancake Icing - Drizzle over pancakes or French toast as a sweet topping. It goes beautifully on its own or with fresh fruit.
- Cookie icing - Though glaze is runnier than icing, this glaze does set dry (but not firm like royal icing), so it can be a quick and easy icing for sugar cookies.
How To Store Vanilla Glaze
Store your vanilla glaze in an airtight container or in a bowl covered with plastic wrap in the fridge, and keep for up to a week.
When ready to use it, put it in the microwave for 5-10 seconds and stir it to bring back the correct consistency.
Vanilla Glaze Recipe FAQs
If you have a question about this recipe that isn't answered here, feel free to write it in the comment section, and I will get back to you as soon as I can.
Glaze will stay soft, but it will set up dry to the touch. It doesn't go hard like royal icing.
Yes! It's easy to thicken vanilla glaze, just add in some extra powdered sugar until it reaches your desired thicker consistency.
My version of vanilla glaze does have a slightly yellow hue because of the butter and vanilla paste.
Personally, I think it looks more appetizing than a bright white icing, but if you don't want any color in there, you can leave the butter out and use a clear vanilla extract instead.
Recipes to use with Vanilla Glaze
Try drizzling your delicious vanilla glaze over these bakes:
Recipe
Easy Powdered Sugar Glaze Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups Powdered Sugar 240g
- ¾ stick Butter 85g
- 3 tablespoon Milk
- 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract or vanilla bean paste
Instructions
- Sift the powdered sugar into a large bowl to remove any lumps.2 cups (240 g) Powdered Sugar
- Melt the butter in the microwave in 30-second bursts, then pour it into the bowl with the powdered sugar, along with the milk and vanilla.¾ stick (85 g) Butter, 3 tablespoon Milk, 1 teaspoon Vanilla Extract
- Stir everything together with a spoon until smooth and combined. Add more liquid if you would like a thinner consistency.
Chris Radwanski
This powdered sugar glaze was incredibly easy to make and I never knew how versatile it was! I used it on a bundt cake and it turned out amazing! It added the perfect touch of sweetness without being overpowering. Definitely a go-to recipe that I will use again and again!
Jules Grasekamp
I use this glaze for so many different desserts! What would you use it for?