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    Decorated Treats » Recipes » Frosting and Icing Recipes

    Glaze Icing for Cakes (How to Make)

    Published: Oct 11, 2020 · Modified: Oct 2, 2022 by Priya Maha

    Jump to Recipe

    This glaze icing recipe, also referred to as cake glaze by many, is a mere two ingredient recipe that is absolutely easy to make. It adds that extra little oomph to desserts with in just a drizzle form and also works wonders as a cake covering. 

    A slice of cake covered in glaze icing
    Glaze Icing for Cakes

    The icing is in a pourable consistency when just prepared and should be used immediately. Left at room temperature, it will crust and set into an opaque white finishing.

    Glaze icing requires only 2 main ingredients, i.e. warm water and icing sugar. The icing is complete with just this 2 ingredients. Add a few drops of lemon juice into it and the whole icing turns into a heavenly citrus-y topping that is absolutely delicious. Try it and you will know!

    And as in other cake frosting (except for chocolate based ones), since the base color is opaque, this icing can be colored to just about any color.


    Recipe (Printable)

    Here is the full printable version of my glaze icing recipe. Right below are my notes on how to cover cakes with glaze icing, be sure to check it out too!

    📖Recipe

    A slice of cake covered in glaze icing

    Glaze Icing

    This glaze icing recipe, also referred to as cake glaze by many, is a mere two ingredient recipe that is absolutely easy to make. It adds that extra little oomph to desserts in just a drizzle form and also works wonders as a cake covering.
    4.88 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 15 minutes minutes
    Yield: 170 g
    Author: Priya Maha
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Metric - US Customary

    For best results, use the metrics measurements. US customary measurements have not been tested and are only meant for guide.

    Ingredients

    • 170 g icing sugar sifted
    • 2 tablespoon hot water
    • 10 drops of lemon juice optional
    • food coloring optional
    Metric - US Customary

    Instructions

    • Place icing sugar in a heatproof bowl. Add hot water to the icing and stir.
    • Place the mixture over a double boiler and whisk until mixture is smooth and lump-free.
    • Add lemon juice and coloring (optional) and stir well. Remove from heat and use immediately to prevent the icing from crusting.
    • This amount is sufficient to coat the top of an 8 inch round cake.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 4kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 2mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @decorated_treats or tag #decoratedtreats!

    How to cover cake with Glaze Icing

    Here is how this icing can be used to cover cakes:

    1. Cake top only (Glaze as a layer of topping on the cake top)

    • Dust the cake top with a little icing sugar. This will avoid the butter from the cake from seeping into your glace icing. Cut a long piece of parchment paper. The length should be enough to wrap along the sides of the cake. Add an extra 5 inches allowance for wrapping.
    • Wrap the paper around the cake tightly (not leaving a gaps for the icing to slip through) and secure with a paper clip. Make sure it is tightly wrapped around the cake. Otherwise the glaze will drip to the sides of the cake.
    • Slowly pour the warm glaze onto the cake in circular motion, starting from the center of the cake, moving towards the out edge of the cake. Let the icing to set completely before removing the parchment paper.

    2. Cake top and side drips

    • Follow the same steps above but just don’t wrap the cake with parchment paper.
    • Pour the glaze on the cake starting from the center. And as you move to the outer edge, let the icing drip to the sides of the cake. For more drips, fill remaining glaze icing into a piping bag. Squeeze it at the top edge of the cake, letting the icing drip on the sides of the cake naturally. 

    And that's pretty much my glaze icing recipe for you.

    Happy decorating 🙂

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Crystal

      July 01, 2023 at 9:20 am

      Hi,
      May I use a liquid coffee creamer to flavor the icing? If so how do I get it to crust? Thanks so much!

      Reply
      • Priya Maha

        July 03, 2023 at 8:33 am

        Hi Crystal,

        I have never tried with liquid coffee creamer.

        Reply
    2. Jasmine

      November 14, 2022 at 11:07 pm

      Hello there,
      Can the glaze be applied on a cake covered with butter icing?

      Reply
      • Priya Maha

        September 16, 2023 at 10:32 am

        Hi Jasmine,
        I have not tried this glaze on buttercream covered cake. If you try, please let me know how it goes.

        Reply
    3. NJ

      July 12, 2022 at 10:50 am

      In your instructions you tell us in step 3 for the cake icing to remove from heat??? We are to put the hot water in the bowl with the powdered sugar. When and why do we put something on the stove? Please clarify. Thanks

      Reply
      • Priya Maha

        July 12, 2022 at 11:24 pm

        Hi NJ,
        Thanks for pointing out. The icing should be placed on a double boiler and whisked until smooth. I have added this process in step 2. Thanks again.

        Reply
    4. Narvan

      April 22, 2022 at 11:52 am

      Hi there, can i use this icing to cover my cake completely? I mean both the top and the sides, just as we do with royal icing.

      Reply
      • Priya Maha

        July 12, 2022 at 11:29 pm

        Hi Narvan,
        This icing is of a pourable consistency. While you may be able to pour it over the top and the sides of the cake to cover them, you will not be able to smooth it with a palette knife like you could with royal icing.

        Reply
    5. Sharmila Nair

      February 26, 2021 at 9:03 pm

      Do we double boil it?

      Reply
      • Priya

        February 28, 2021 at 11:08 pm

        Hi Sharmila,

        There is no need to double boil.

        Reply
    4.88 from 8 votes (8 ratings without comment)

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