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    The Heirloom Pantry » Recipes » Sweets

    Lemon Vanilla Bean Glaze (For Cakes, Cookies, and More)

    Published: May 15, 2023 · Modified: Nov 10, 2023 by Kathleen Higashiyama · The following content may contain paid links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.

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    Lemon vanilla bean glaze Pinterest pin.

    Lemon Vanilla Bean Glaze adds a bright and zesty accent to cookies, cakes, scones, and more! It is rich with sunny lemon and flecks of warm vanilla bean paste and adds a sweet sheen to your baked goods. Just add ingredients to a bowl and whisk!

    Cookie dipped in a bowl of lemon vanilla bean glaze, for cakes, scones, cookies, muffins, and more.

    This Lemon Vanilla Bean Glaze is packed with rich lemon and vanilla bean flavor. We love to drizzle it on our lemon shortbread cookies or Meyer lemon olive oil cake for dessert. We also love it with our blackberry lemon bread and pancakes for breakfast. In general, we recommend making some to enjoy with a yummy sweet then saving the rest for later!

    If you are looking for a pure vanilla glaze, try our Easy Vanilla Icing!

    Jump to:
    • About Lemon Vanilla Glaze
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions/Variations
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Top Tip
    • Related Recipes
    • Did You Like This Recipe?
    • 📖 Recipe

    About Lemon Vanilla Glaze

    • Taste - The combination of lemon, sugar, and vanilla add a bright and citrusy accent to sweets.
    • Texture - The glaze is thick but light enough to drizzle over your favorite baked goods.
    • Effort - All you need to do is mix the ingredients then use it or store it for later.
    • Time - It takes just 3 minutes to mix the ingredients.

    Ingredients

    Ingredients to make lemon vanilla bean glaze (for cakes, cookies, and more), including vanilla bean paste, powdered sugar, lemon juice, and lemon zest.
    • Powdered sugar - Powdered sugar is the sweet base for the glaze.
    • Lemon juice and zest - Fresh lemon juice and zest provides a bright and zesty flavor.
    • Vanilla bean paste - Vanilla adds a delicious complexity to the glaze. Use high-quality vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract for a true distinct vanilla flavor. Vanilla bean paste will show flecks of vanilla bean in the glaze.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Substitutions/Variations

    • Pure lemon glaze - Omit the vanilla for a more pure lemon glaze.
    • Miso glaze - Replace the lemon with miso paste for an umami flavored glaze.
    • Matcha glaze - Try our matcha glaze for a unique and earthy alternative.
    • Citrus - Use other citrus juice and zest, like grapefruit, lime, Meyer lemon, orange, tangerine, and more.
    • Pure Vanilla Glaze - Check out our simple vanilla icing for a purer vanilla glaze.

    Instructions

    Steps to make lemon vanilla bean glaze (for cakes, cookies, scones, and more), including adding the powdered sugar, lemon juice and zest, and vanilla bean paste to a bowl, whisking until smooth, and using for cookies, cakes, and more.
    • Whisk glaze - In a bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla bean paste until it forms a smooth glaze. If the glaze is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar; if the glaze is too thick, add a little more lemon juice. Use for cakes, cookies, scones, and more.

    Pro tip - Be sure the baked goods are cool before you glaze them. This ensures the glaze won't run off the baked goods or soak into them too much.

    Storage

    Store leftover glaze in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week for best results. After 1 week, the glaze will lose its texture. You can also freeze the glaze in a freezer bag for up to 1 month.

    Recipe FAQs

    What is the consistency of lemon glaze?

    The lemon glaze should be smooth and sticky. It should be slightly thinner than syrup but not runny.

    Can you use other citrus fruits to make glaze?

    Yes, you could use orange, lime, or grapefruit to make a delicious glaze.

    What is the difference between frosting and glaze?

    Frosting is typically thicker than an icing or glaze. Frosting also usually has a cream cheese or butter base while a glaze is usually made from powdered sugar.

    How do you thicken or thin lemon glaze?

    If you want to make it thicker, add a little more powdered sugar. If you want to make it thinner, add a little more water, milk, or lemon juice.

    Does lemon glaze harden?

    Once the glaze dries, it should add a nice sheen to your baked goods. But it should still be soft once it dries.

    Lemon vanilla bean glaze in a glass bowl for cakes, cookies, bread, and more.

    Top Tip

    • Sift the powdered sugar and whisk the ingredients thoroughly so there aren't any clumps.

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    • Hand whisking easy vanilla bean icing for muffins, cakes, cinnamon rolls, scones, and more.
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    Did You Like This Recipe?

    Love this easy lemon glaze recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating in the recipe card below & consider leaving a comment below. Thanks!

    Sign up for THP's newsletter and keep in touch on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, TikTok, and YouTube. If you make this recipe, tag #theheirloompantry so we can see your lemon icing.

    📖 Recipe

    Cookie dipped in a bowl of lemon vanilla bean glaze, for cakes, scones, cookies, muffins, and more.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 2 votes

    Lemon Vanilla Bean Glaze (For Cakes, Cookies, and More)

    Lemon Vanilla Bean Glaze adds a bright and zesty accent to cookies, cakes, scones, and more! It is rich with sunny lemon and flecks of warm vanilla bean paste and adds a sweet sheen to your baked goods. Just add ingredients to a bowl and whisk!
    Prep Time3 minutes mins
    Total Time3 minutes mins
    Course: Condiment, Sweets
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 1 cup
    Calories: 494kcal
    Author: Kathleen Higashiyama

    Equipment

    • 1 mixing bowl
    • 1 Measuring spoons
    • 1 whisk

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 1 teaspoon lemon zest
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste optional
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Whisk glaze - In a bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, lemon juice, lemon zest, and vanilla bean paste until it forms a smooth glaze. If the glaze is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar; if the glaze is too thick, add a little more lemon juice. Use for cakes, scones, cookies, and more.
      1 cup powdered sugar, 2 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 teaspoon lemon zest, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

    Video

    Notes

    Top Tips
    • Make sure the baked goods are cool before you glaze them. This ensures the glaze won't run off the baked goods or soak into them too much.
    • Whisk the glaze ingredients thoroughly so there aren't any clumps.
    Storage
    • Store leftover glaze in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week for best results. After 1 week, the glaze will lose its texture. You can also freeze it in a freezer bag for up to 1 month.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 494kcal | Carbohydrates: 125g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 3mg | Potassium: 37mg | Fiber: 0.3g | Sugar: 121g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theheirloompantry or tag #theheirloompantry!

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    About the Author

    Kat Higashiyama and Alec Totto are recipe developers, food photographers, and the authors behind The Heirloom Pantry. Since 2017, they have shared recipes inspired by their Japanese and Italian heritage and California and Hawaii roots. They reside in San Jose with their two dogs, Peeps and Paisley. Read More…

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    5 from 2 votes (2 ratings without comment)

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    Alec and Kat with Paisley and Peeps on the beach

    We're Kat and Alec, the culinary duo behind The Heirloom Pantry, where family recipes from our Italian and Japanese heritage meet fresh California ingredients and Hawaiian sunshine. Our chef-tested dishes help you conquer weeknights and wow guests with effortless entertaining. Join us on this delicious journey – let's cook up confidence, together!

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