This easy powdered sugar icing is a simple glaze that is perfect for cakes, cookies, donuts, and so much more! Mix up this icing recipe in under 5 minutes!
You might also like Vanilla Buttercream Frosting, Cinnamon Walnut Coffee Cake, and Orange Cranberry Cake.
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Easy Powdered Sugar Icing
Have you ever wanted to make a delicious homemade glaze to drizzle over cakes, muffins, scones, and other treats? If so, you’ve come to the right place!
This super simple powdered sugar icing recipe takes less than 5 minutes to make. It also pairs perfectly with a variety of baked goods. Take your desserts and breakfast foods to the next level with this easy glaze.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
There are about a million uses for this powdered sugar icing. Plus, you can make it in no time with just 3 ingredients. Here’s what else you’ll love about this glaze:
- Versatility: This simple powdered sugar icing can be a topping for pound cakes, bundt cakes, muffins, and more!
- Quick to make: You can easily whip up this sweet glaze in minutes.
- Customizable: Create new flavors with different extracts, zests, or spices. You can even swap out the milk for another liquid or try adding some food coloring.
- Elevate store-bought baked goods: Use this glaze to add a sweet touch to store-bought pastries and baked goods.
Powdered Sugar vs Confectioners Sugar
Powdered sugar and confectioner’s sugar are essentially two different names for the same thing. It’s made from granulated sugar that has been ground down to a powder. In some countries, it is also referred to as icing sugar.
This type of sugar is commonly used in frostings, glazes, and icings. It is also a common ingredient for candy making as well as a topping for baked goods.
Ingredients
Starting with the right ingredients is key to making powdered sugar icing. Here's everything you'll need to make this recipe.
Powdered sugar: For the majority of frostings and glazes, powdered sugar is the base ingredient. It’s soft powdery texture allows it to mix well with liquid to make creamy icings and frostings.
Milk: We like to use 2% or whole milk in this recipe but you can also use whatever milk you have on hand. Heavy cream, half-and-half, or evaporated milk could also be used here.
Pure vanilla extract: Adding pure vanilla extract to your icing will give it a deep, rich flavor. Note that the dark color may slightly tint the shade of your glaze. For a brighter white glaze, you can opt for clear imitation vanilla, however, the flavor won’t be as rich.
Recipe Variations
Flavor variations for this powdered sugar icing are endless, but here are just a few of our favorites:
- Swap the milk for juice to make a fruity glaze: This works especially well with citrus fruits like oranges and lemons. Add a little bit of zest for an even bolder flavor.
- Make it chocolate: Add cocoa powder to the icing mixture for a chocolate powdered sugar icing that’s out of this world. Chocolate icing is great for donuts!
- Add spices: Mix in a hint of cinnamon, ginger, or nutmeg for warm spiced icing.
How To Make This Recipe
Start by adding the powdered sugar to a medium mixing bowl. It’s usually not necessary to sift the powdered sugar unless there are a lot of large lumps. Next, pour in the milk.
Add the vanilla extract. Whisk the ingredients together until fully combined.
You can add more powdered sugar or milk if needed until the desired consistency is reached. The consistency should be smooth and silky without any lumps.
Finally, you can drizzle it on top of your baked goods using a spoon or fill a piping bag for more decorative drizzling. Enjoy the sweet finish it adds to your treats!
Recipe Tips and Tricks
Adjust the consistency: Depending on what you’re using the powdered sugar icing for, you may want a different consistency. You can do this by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker icing. Be sure to add the ingredients gradually until you reach the desired consistency.
Mix with a whisk: The best way to get a super smooth consistency is to combine the ingredients using a whisk. Be sure to whisk thoroughly until there are no lumps.
Add some color: For a more festive glaze, try adding some food coloring. If you want your powdered sugar icing to be bright white, try using clear imitation vanilla instead of pure vanilla extract.
How To Store Leftovers
This powdered sugar icing can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. If you store it in the refrigerator, it will last up to 5 days. Since it will firm up in the fridge, you may need to let it come to room temperature before using it.
Although this glaze contains milk, it doesn’t have to be kept in the refrigerator. The small amount of milk is stabilized by the sugar, making it safe to store at room temperature for a few days.
Recipe FAQ’s
Powdered sugar icing or glaze is also known as simple icing. It’s made by combining powdered sugar and a liquid element such as milk or juice. This icing has a liquid consistency that can be poured or drizzled on cakes, cookies, pastries, and more.
On the other hand, royal icing is made with powdered sugar, egg whites (or meringue powder), and sometimes lemon juice or cream of tartar. The ingredients are whipped together to create a thick, glossy consistency. Royal icing dries hard, making it ideal for decorating and piping.
Although this glaze contains milk, it doesn’t have to be kept in the refrigerator. The small amount of milk is stabilized by the sugar, making it safe to store at room temperature for a few days.
There are so many desserts that taste great with powdered sugar icing. A few of our favorites include bundt cakes, sweet loaves, muffins, coffee cake, cookies, monkey bread, and donuts.
No. Powdered sugar has been ground down to a powder in order to make creamy icings, glazes, and frostings. Granulated sugar can’t dissolve in the milk, which would result in a grainy consistency.
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Recipe
Easy Powdered Sugar Icing
May 6, 2023Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2-3 tablespoon milk
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Add the powdered sugar to a medium mixing bowl followed by the milk and the vanilla extract.
- Whisk together until fully combined. Adjust the consistency as needed by adding more powdered sugar or milk. It should be smooth with no lumps.
- Drizzle the finished icing on top of your baked goods with a spoon or a piping bag and enjoy!
Notes
- Depending on what you’re using the powdered sugar icing for, you may want a different consistency. You can do this by adding more milk for a thinner glaze or more powdered sugar for a thicker icing. Be sure to add the ingredients gradually until you reach the desired consistency.
- The best way to get a super smooth consistency is to combine the ingredients using a whisk. Be sure to whisk thoroughly until there are no lumps.
- Switch up the color by adding some food coloring.
- For a bright white powdered sugar icing, try using clear imitation vanilla instead of pure vanilla extract.
Nutrition
Nutrition information provided is an estimate. It will vary based on cooking method and specific ingredients used.
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