The Best Vanilla Icing for Cakes and Cookies

By
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Diana Rattray
Southern-cuisine expert and cookbook author Diana Rattray has created more than 5,000 recipes and articles in her 20 years as a food writer.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Updated on 08/30/24
Tested by
Tracy Wilk
Photo of Tracy Wilk
Tested by Tracy Wilk
Tracy Wilk is a professional pastry chef, recipe developer and chef instructor, and, most importantly, a firm believer in sprinkles.
Learn about The Spruce Eats' Editorial Process
Vanilla icing being drizzled with a dinner spoon over cinnamon buns

The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

Prep: 10 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 10 mins
Servings: 16 servings

A simple, thin glaze icing is a perfect finishing touch for many desserts. Drizzle it on top of cinnamon rolls, pound cake, cookies, Bundt cake, pastries, and more. You can even dip homemade doughnuts into it for a pretty sweet treat.

The glaze icing only requires a few ingredients, no special equipment, and just a few minutes of time. Thin the icing as much or as little as you like. Keep it thick to make a spreadable icing or add more milk to make it a drizzling consistency. As written, the glaze is vanilla, but you can easily add other ingredients to flavor it; try citrus zest and juice for a fruity version. This glaze pairs with most baked desserts, so try it out on a variety of dishes.

What Is the Difference Between Icing and Glaze?

The terms icing and glaze are often used interchangeably in recipes. Both refer to a thin, sweet mixture of sugar and liquid that can be used to drizzle, dip, or coat baked goods. Some glaze recipes produce shiny results, and some icing or glaze recipes harden upon cooling.

Tips for Making Powered Sugar Icing Recipe

  • Cool your baked goods - Use icing glaze on baked goods that are completely cool for the best results. Otherwise, the icing will sink into the bake or other hot dessert.
  • Dip into icing - For cupcakes, doughnuts, or muffins, it might be easier to dip them in the icing.
  • Catch the drippings - When glazing a cake, place it on a rack over a sheet of wax paper or foil to catch the drips.
  • Decorate before the icing sets - Add decorations like sprinkles, coconut, or nuts soon after glazing and before the icing sets. This way the toppings will stick to the dessert.
  • Soft setting - This glaze icing will be set once dried but will remain soft. If you're looking for an icing that will harden once set, try royal icing.
What You'll Need to Make This Powdered Sugar Glaze Recipe
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A Handy Dandy Sifter
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A Nice Big Mixing Bowl
Best whisks group photo
A Good Whisk

"This recipe uses common, easy-to-find ingredients to make a tasty glaze that you can use for any cake or dessert. If you have a flavored cake, like lemon, you can add some fresh zest or lemon oil to the glaze, or keep it vanilla to go with any pastry you'd like." —Tracy Wilk

A Note From Our Recipe Tester
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Ingredients

  • 2 cups confectioners' sugar (sifted before measuring)

  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly

  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (clear for whiter icing)

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

  • 3 to 4 tablespoons milk

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients for vanilla icing recipe gathered

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  2. Combine 2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar, 2 tablespoons melted unsalted butter, 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 3 tablespoons milk in a mixing bowl.

    Ingredients for icing added to a glass bowl

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  3. Stir until smooth and well blended.

    Smooth and thick icing being stirred with a wire whisk

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  4. Adjust for desired consistency as needed, adding more milk for drizzling or more confectioners' sugar for spreading.

    Smooth icing being whisked in a large bowl, small bowls with confectioners' sugar and milk to the side

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

  5. Use immediately to top a cake, cookies, and other treats.

    Baking pan with cinnamon buns covered with vanilla icing, bowl with icing to the side,

    The Spruce Eats / Diana Chistruga

How To Store Icing Recipe

Glaze icing will last about a week in an airtight container in the fridge or for several months in the freezer. Thaw it in the refrigerator overnight before using it.

Feeling Adventurous? Try This:

  • Orange Icing: Replace the vanilla and milk with orange juice and add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest.
  • Lemon Icing: Replace the milk and vanilla with fresh lemon juice and 1/2 teaspoon of finely grated lemon zest. Add 1/2 teaspoon of lemon extract, if desired.
  • Almond Icing: Replace half of the vanilla extract with almond extract and top with slivered almonds.
  • Mint Icing: Replace all or half of the vanilla extract with mint extract. Add red or green food coloring if desired.
  • Maple Icing: Replace the vanilla extract with maple extract.
  • Cinnamon Icing: Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the icing.
  • Coconut Icing: Replace the vanilla extract with coconut extract and top with shredded, sweetened coconut.
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
69 Calories
2g Fat
14g Carbs
0g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 16
Amount per serving
Calories 69
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 2g 2%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 4mg 1%
Sodium 35mg 2%
Total Carbohydrate 14g 5%
Dietary Fiber 0g 0%
Total Sugars 14g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Calcium 5mg 0%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 6mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)