Easy Four Ingredient Pound Cake Glaze Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

This incredibly easy cake glaze recipe requires just four staple ingredients and less than five minutes of time to make. It’s smooth, delightfully sweet, and easy to customize with a variety of extracts.

This is the perfect vanilla cake glaze that is perfect for adding to your favorite bundt cakes, angel food cakes, pound cakes, muffins and even doughnuts.

You’ll found countless ideas for where to use it! It’s such a great little recipe to keep in your back pocket… pretty soon you’ll be making it from memory! It’s that easy!

Easy Four Ingredient Pound Cake Glaze Recipe | Julie Blanner (1)

Table of Contents

  • Pound Cake Glaze
  • What is the Difference Between Glaze and Icing?
  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Variations
  • How to Make this Cake Glaze
  • Tips
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Serving Suggestions
  • How to Store
  • More Icings
  • Cake Glaze Recipe
  • Explore More

You know the saying, “the icing on the cake”? Well, it’s my belief that the icing is just as important, if not more important than the cake itself. This basic cake glaze recipe never disappoints!

One of the reasons I love using a glaze is that it is beautiful without any effort at all. Just make, warm and pour! It’s such an easy way to elevate your baked goods and add a hit of sweetness.

It really couldn’t be easier to make this yummy glaze! Let’s get started!

Pound Cake Glaze

It’s perfect to decorate cakes for friends and family, as well as occasion cakes.

Why You’ll Love this Recipe

  • Make Ahead – With just four ingredients that you likely have on hand.
  • Feeds a Crowd – So easy to throw together for any dessert, and any occasion!
  • Easily Customized – Add an incredible variety of extracts to create citrus flavors and so much more.

“*Chef’s kiss* to you and your glaze recipe. (I used Amaretto instead of vanilla extract for my little almond cakes)”

– Michele

What is the Difference Between Glaze and Icing?

It can be confusing, right? What’s the difference between these toppings… frosting, icing, glaze, and the list goes on!

Icing is quite a bit thinner than frosting, but then not as thin as glaze.

Easy Four Ingredient Pound Cake Glaze Recipe | Julie Blanner (2)

In this case, icing and glaze are quite similar. The difference is generally defined not by the ingredients, but by the final consistency. Glaze is liquid enough to be poured, whereas icing is generally spread on.

Easy Four Ingredient Pound Cake Glaze Recipe | Julie Blanner (3)

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Butter – Salted or unsalted, your preference.
  • Powdered Sugar – Also known as confectioners sugar or icing powder. If you don’t have powdered sugar, you can puree granulated sugar in a food processor until soft and fluffy – read more at the link above.
  • Vanilla Extract – Pure rather than imitation if possible. Even better? Make your own at that link!
  • Heavy Cream – You can substitute milk if needed.

Variations

  • Add Zest – Use lemon or orange zest for a fruity flair.
  • Substitute Extract – You can flavor this recipe in so many ways. A few favorites are with almond extract, lemon extract or orange extract.

How to Make this Cake Glaze

  1. Combine ingredients, beat on medium until smooth.
  2. Warm in microwave 30 seconds to make it a pourable glaze for easy topping.
Easy Four Ingredient Pound Cake Glaze Recipe | Julie Blanner (4)
Easy Four Ingredient Pound Cake Glaze Recipe | Julie Blanner (5)

Tips

  • Use Immediately – Use the glaze as soon as you’ve made it or it will harden.
  • It’s easy to make this glaze in a stand mixer, but if you don’t have one, you can also beat it by hand with a spatula in a large bowl, just make sure everything is well combined with no lumps.
  • For thinner glaze, add more heavy whipping cream. Use a tablespoon at a time until you get the consistency you’d like.
  • Allow Baked Goods to Cool – Before glazing your cake, ensure that the cake has full cooled, or the glaze can run off of it.

Make More (or Less!)

Scaling up, down or substituting? You’ll love this printable Measurement Conversion Chart!

Easy Four Ingredient Pound Cake Glaze Recipe | Julie Blanner (6)

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I let my cake cool before glazing?

Yes. Always ensure that your baked goods are cooled completely before glazing or icing. If your cake or muffins are too warm, the glaze will simply melt right off.

How long should a cake cool before glaze?

If you want to cool the cake faster, refrigerate for approximately 30 minutes. Otherwise, let it rest at room temperature for at least an hour before adding your cake glaze.

How long does it take for glaze to harden?

It can take up to thirty minutes for this cake glaze to harden.

Easy Four Ingredient Pound Cake Glaze Recipe | Julie Blanner (7)
Easy Four Ingredient Pound Cake Glaze Recipe | Julie Blanner (8)

Serving Suggestions

This cake glaze recipe is perfect for topping pound cake, angel cake, bundt cake and even doughnuts! Try it on all of these baked goods:

  • Homemade Baked Donuts
  • Valentine Doughnuts
  • Lemon Pound Cake Recipe
  • Pumpkin Muffin Recipe
  • Apple Pound Cake
  • Biscuit Donuts
  • Carrot Cake Muffins
  • The Best Blueberry Bread
  • Cinnamon Roll Bread

How to Store

  • Room Temperature – You can store this cake glaze for up to three days at room temperature.
  • Refrigerator – Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
  • Freezer – You can store this easy cake glaze in the freezer in an airtight container for up to three months. It will last even longer but will start to lose its fresh flavor and quality over time.
Easy Four Ingredient Pound Cake Glaze Recipe | Julie Blanner (9)

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Easy Four Ingredient Pound Cake Glaze Recipe | Julie Blanner (14)

5 from 76 votes

Cake Glaze Recipe

By Julie Blanner

This basic pound cake glaze recipe never disappoints. It's perfect for topping pound cake, angel cake, bundt cake and even doughnuts! It requires just 4 staple ingredients and less than 5 minutes of time to make.

Prep: 5 minutes mins

Total: 5 minutes mins

Servings: 10

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Ingredients

Instructions

  • Combine ingredients, beat on medium until smooth.

  • Warm in microwave 30 seconds to make it a pourable glaze for easy topping.

Julie’s Tips

Substitutions

  • Butter – Salted or unsalted, your preference.
  • Powdered Sugar – Also known as confectioners sugar or icing powder. If you don’t have powdered sugar, you can puree granulated sugar in a food processor until soft and fluffy.
  • Heavy Cream – You can substitute milk if needed.

Variations

  • Add Zest – Use lemon or orange zest for a fruity flair.
  • Substitute Extract – You can flavor this recipe in so many ways. A few favorites are with almond extract, lemon extract or orange extract.

Tips

  • Use Immediately – Use the glaze as soon as you’ve made it or it will harden.
  • It’s easy to make this glaze in a stand mixer, but if you don’t have one, you can also beat it by hand with a spatula in a large bowl, just make sure everything is well combined with no lumps.
  • For thinner glaze, add more heavy whipping cream. Use a tablespoon at a time until you get the consistency you’d like.
  • Allow Baked Goods to Cool – Before glazing your cake, ensure that the cake has full cooled, or the glaze can run off of it.

To Store

  • Refrigerate –Store refrigerated in an airtight container. Warm and stir well to use.

Calories: 219kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Fat: 8g | Saturated Fat: 5g | Cholesterol: 24mg | Sodium: 63mg | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 280IU | Calcium: 5mg

Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.

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Easy Four Ingredient Pound Cake Glaze Recipe | Julie Blanner (2024)

FAQs

What is brown sugar glaze made of? ›

directions. Combine 1 cup firmly packed brown sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1/2 teaspoons dry or prepared mustard, 1/8 tsp cinnamon and 3 tablespoons dry sherry (optional), 3 tablespoons vinegar and 3 tablespoons water.

What is glaze made of cake? ›

A glaze is usually drizzled onto a cake or applied with a pastry brush to give a glisten to pastries. Glazes also add a glassine look to fruit pies and tarts. A basic glaze contains powdered' sugar and a liquid such as water or milk.

Can you make glaze without powdered sugar? ›

You can still make a delicious glaze with a substitute. Use Granulated Sugar: You will have to heat it over the stove to get the bigger granules of sugar to melt, but it still makes a great glaze! You will need a little flour to help it thicken up, and some people add some butter as well.

What are the three basic ingredients in a glaze What does each ingredient do? ›

Every glaze is made of the following 3 materials:
  • Silica – Creates glass. Examples: quartz, flint, pure silica.
  • Alumina – Stiffens the glaze so it doesn't slide off the clay. ...
  • Flux – Causes the glaze to melt at a low enough temperature to be used in ceramics.

Should you glaze a cake hot or cold? ›

Cool the cake or pastries completely before glazing. Warm baked goods will make the glaze too runny, and it may soak into the crust, making the cake soggy. Brush away any loose crumbs on the cake or pastries before decorating.

What are the 4 main ingredients in glaze? ›

A basic understanding of glaze application and firing yields consistent and desirable results, as the key components of different glazes each have their own function.
  • 01 of 04. Silica: The Glass-Former. ...
  • 02 of 04. Alumina: The Refractory. ...
  • 03 of 04. Flux: The Melting Agent. ...
  • 04 of 04. Colorant: The Beautifier.
Nov 13, 2019

Can I use regular sugar for a glaze? ›

Make a Granulated Sugar Glaze for Banana Bread, Lemon Cake, and Other Baked Goods | ehow.com. A granulated sugar glaze is the perfect final touch for certain baked goods. Learn how to make the best granulated sugar glaze with a few flavor variations.

Can you use white sugar instead of brown sugar for glaze? ›

You can substitute white sugar for brown sugar in equal amounts as a replacement in a pinch. But if you have molasses on hand, our Test Kitchen suggests this brown sugar alternative, which will maintain brown sugar's dynamic, rich flavor.

What are the tips in making a glaze? ›

Always start with half of the amount of liquid the recipe is asking and then add more if you still want to make it thinner. On the other hand, if you added too much by mistake and want your glaze thicker, place again the sieve on top of the bowl and sift about ¼ cup of powdered sugar and whisk again.

How is glaze made? ›

A glaze is made up of three parts. A flux/melter that lowers the melting point, a refractory/stabilizer that bonds the glaze to the clay, and a glass former like silica. This creates the base and then a stain is added to give the glaze its color. It's a bit like mixing paint and a bit more like a chemistry experiment.

Can you use frosting as a glaze? ›

Simply transfer your frosting to a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high to 20 to 30 seconds. Stir well, then pour over your cake (or use it for donut glaze).

What happens if you use granulated sugar instead of powdered sugar? ›

"Regular sugar has a larger crystal size than powdered sugar," he explains. "This means, cup for cup, there would be more sugar in a cup of powdered sugar than in a cup of regular sugar." In addition to inconsistent measurements, regular sugar won't dissolve and mix as well into recipes like frosting and icing.

How do you thicken brown sugar glaze without cornstarch? ›

Use powdered sugar to thicken sweet glazes prepared at room temperature. When you're putting together a quick glaze for a cake or similar confection and it turns out a little too thin, the simplest way to rectify the situation is to stir in a little more sugar.

How do you thicken a glaze without icing sugar? ›

If you are trying to avoid adding more sugar to an already sweet dessert, try adding a flavor-appropriate thickening agent to your frosting. These thickening agents include: cornstarch, gelatin, cream cheese, cocoa powder, cold heavy cream, tapioca, arrowroot starch, flour and even butter.

What's the best way to drizzle icing over a cake? ›

Use a spoon rather than a piping bag.

A piping bag results in a spindly drizzle rather than more organic flowing drips that create the imperfect effect we are after, so a small serving spoon is best for the job.

What is the best way to apply glaze? ›

Dipping. Dipping wares into pots or buckets of glaze is probably the most common glaze application method. It's fast, easy, and generally gives a coating of even thickness. Dipping is the most useful glazing process for production work, where speed and efficiency are important.

How to glaze a cake without making a mess? ›

Set a completely cooled cake on a wire rack.

To make clean-up easier, put the wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet. Then, set a completely cooled cake on the rack. Avoid using a cake that's still warm from the oven or it will absorb the glaze.

How do you get a perfect finish on a cake? ›

With the crumb coat added, place your cake in the refrigerator for 30 minutes prior to frosting. This will ensure that the crumb coat has a chance to set, and that the cake is firm enough to be frosted easily. When applying frosting, don't be shy. Add it to the cake generously, then spread it and smooth as you go.

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