• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

The Heirloom Pantry

  • Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Brunch Recipes
    • Dinner
    • Dogs
    • Dressings and Sauces
    • Drinks
    • Main Course
    • Pasta
    • Sides
    • Soups and Stews
    • Sweets
  • ENTERTAINING
  • SHOP
    • Shop Our Kitchen
    • Amazon Shop
    • Promotions & Codes
  • About
    • Bio
    • Connect
    • The Heirloom Pantry Newsletter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Spring Recipes
  • Recipes
  • About
  • Shop
  • Subscribe
  • Promotions
  • Follow Along

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Spring Recipes
    • Recipes
    • About
    • Shop
    • Subscribe
    • Promotions
  • Follow Along

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×
    The Heirloom Pantry » Recipes » Sweets

    Simple & Easy Vanilla Icing

    Published: Sep 4, 2023 by Kathleen Higashiyama · The following content may contain paid links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.

    71 shares
    • Share56
    • Tweet
    • Yummly
    • Flipboard
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Simple and easy vanilla icing for cakes, scones, cinnamon rolls, and more Pinterest pin.

    Vanilla Icing is perfectly sweet and adds warm vanilla flavor to your baked goods. Just add the ingredients to a bowl and whisk! Then drizzle it on cakes, cookies, scones, cinnamon rolls, and more.

    Hand whisking easy vanilla bean icing for muffins, cakes, cinnamon rolls, scones, and more.

    This is our go to icing for baked goods and sweet breakfasts. We especially love it on our Lemon Curd Coffee Cake or Blackberry Lemon Bread. But we recommend making some to enjoy with a yummy sweet then saving the rest for later!

    Jump to:
    • About Vanilla Icing
    • Ingredients
    • Substitutions and Variations
    • Instructions
    • Storage
    • Recipe FAQs
    • Top Tips
    • Related Recipes
    • Did You Like This Recipe?
    • 📖 Recipe

    About Vanilla Icing

    • Taste - The combination of sugar, vanilla, and milk create a decadent yet light accent for cakes and other sweets.
    • Texture - The glaze is thick but light enough to drizzle over your favorite baked goods.
    • Effort - This vanilla glaze recipe is easy. 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 easy vanilla icing, powdered sugar, vanilla bean paste, milk, salt.
    • Powdered sugar - Powdered sugar is the sweet base for the glaze.
    • Milk - Use milk, dairy-free milk, or heavy cream to make the icing creamy. Heavy cream will result in thicker icing; milk or dairy-free milk will result in thinner icing.
    • 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.
    • Kosher salt - Kosher salt accentuates the rich glaze.

    See recipe card for quantities.

    Substitutions and Variations

    • Lemon Vanilla glaze - Add lemon juice and zest for a bright and vibrant glaze.
    • Matcha glaze - Try our matcha glaze for a unique and earthy alternative.
    • Citrus - Use other citrus juice and zest, like orange, grapefruit, lime, and more.

    Instructions

    Steps to make simple and easy vanilla icing, whisk powdered sugar, milk, vanilla bean paste or extract, salt until it forms a smooth glaze.
    • Mix vanilla glaze - In a bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla bean paste or extract, and salt 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 milk. (Photo 1, 2, and 3)
    • Enjoy - Use for bundt cakes, scones, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and more. (Photo 4)

    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 icing in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week for best results. After 1 week, the icing will lose its texture. You can also freeze the icing in a freezer safe bag for up to 2 months.

    Recipe FAQs

    Is vanilla frosting the same as vanilla glaze?

    No, frosting is typically thicker than an icing or glaze. Frosting also usually has a cream cheese or butter base while a glaze typically has a powdered sugar base.

    How do I keep vanilla glaze from getting hard?

    The glaze should remain soft when it dries, but if you have leftover icing, be sure to store it in an air-tight container in the refrigerator or it can harden.

    Can I add other flavors to icing?

    Yes, this icing is great with citrus flavors like lemon or orange. It is also delicious with a little cocoa powder.

    Easy classic vanilla bean icing drizzled on a slice of coffee cake.

    Top Tips

    • Sift the powdered sugar and whisk it the other ingredients thoroughly so there aren't any clumps.
    • Use high quality powdered sugar. The finer the powdered sugar, the smoother the icing will be.
    • Use high-quality vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for a true vanilla flavor. We recommend Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste or Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract.
    • Use heavy cream for a thicker glaze or milk for a thinner glaze. If you use heavy cream, be sure to shake the heavy cream before adding it to the powdered sugar.

    Related Recipes

    • Closeup of donuts with strawberry, Nutella chocolate, and matcha glaze.
      How to Make Glaze for Donuts (5 Types)
    • Spoon holding easy lemon curd with vanilla bean paste from a glass jar.
      Easy Lemon Curd
    • Spoon pouring matcha vanilla bean glaze for cakes, muffins, quick breads, and more in a white ceramic ramekin.
      Matcha Vanilla Bean Glaze
    • Homemade graham cracker crust in an Emile Henry pie dish for pies, cheesecakes, and more.
      How to Make Graham Cracker Crust

    Did You Like This Recipe?

    Love this easy vanilla icing 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 homemade vanilla glaze.

    📖 Recipe

    Hand whisking easy vanilla bean icing for muffins, cakes, cinnamon rolls, scones, and more.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    5 from 1 vote

    Simple & Easy Vanilla Icing

    Vanilla Icing is perfectly sweet and adds warm vanilla flavor to your baked goods. Just add the ingredients to a bowl and whisk! Then drizzle it on cakes, cookies, scones, cinnamon rolls, and more.
    Prep Time3 minutes mins
    Total Time3 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert, Sweets
    Cuisine: American
    Servings: 1 cup
    Calories: 505kcal
    Author: Kathleen Higashiyama

    Equipment

    • 1 mixing bowl
    • 1 Measuring spoons
    • 1 whisk

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • 2-3 tablespoon milk, dairy-free milk, or heavy cream
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract
    • ¼ teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Mix vanilla icing - In a bowl, whisk the powdered sugar, milk, vanilla bean paste or extract, and salt 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 milk. Use for cakes, scones, cookies, cinnamon rolls, and more.
      1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 tablespoon milk, dairy-free milk, or heavy cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract, ¼ teaspoon kosher salt or sea salt

    Video

    Notes

    Storage
    • Refrigerate leftover icing in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week for best results. After 1 week, the icing will lose its texture. You can also freeze the icing in a freezer safe bag for up to 2 months.
    Top Tips
    • Let the baked goods cool before you glaze them. This ensures the glaze won't run off the baked goods or soak into them too much.
    • Sift the powdered sugar and whisk it the other ingredients thoroughly so there aren't any clumps.
    • Use high quality powdered sugar. The finer the powdered sugar, the smoother the icing will be.
    • Use high-quality vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste for a true vanilla flavor. We recommend Nielsen-Massey Vanilla Bean Paste or Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla Extract.
    • Use heavy cream for a thicker glaze or milk for a thinner glaze.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 505kcal | Carbohydrates: 124g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 595mg | Potassium: 48mg | Sugar: 122g | Vitamin A: 49IU | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 0.1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @theheirloompantry or tag #theheirloompantry!

    More Sweets

    • Brown butter pistachio chocolate chip cookies with flaky sea salt on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
      Brown Butter Pistachio Chocolate Chip Cookies
    • Homemade cinnamon persimmon curd in weck jars, made for spreading on toast, biscuits, waffles, and more, or drizzled on ice cream, yogurt, and more.
      Persimmon Curd
    • Chocolate-dipped pistachio shortbread cookies topped with toasted chopped pistachios and flaky sea salt.
      Pistachio Shortbread Cookies
    • Chocolate chunk brown butter shortbread cookies with flaky sea salt.
      Chocolate Chunk Brown Butter Shortbread Cookies

    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…

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    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!

    More about us →

    Fresh Spring Recipes

    • Flower lavender lemon curd cookies dusted with powdered sugar on parchment paper with lemon slices, lavender, and a jar of homemade lemon curd.
      Lavender Lemon Curd Cookies
    • Pesto, burrata, prosciutto, and toasted pine nut pizza on a wooden Boos Block cutting board.
      Pesto, Burrata, and Prosciutto Pizza
    • Edible flower shortbread cookies with a lemon zest vanilla bean glaze.
      Edible Flower Shortbread Cookies
    • Whipped lemon feta dip topped with toasted pine nuts, herbs, and olive oil and served with toasted pita, crudités, and olives.
      Whipped Lemon Feta
    • Japanese fruit sandwich (sando) made with shokupan (white bread) and filled with fresh honey whipped cream and fresh fruit, including kiwi, mandarin oranges, and strawberries.
      Fruit Sando (Japanese Fruit Sandwich)
    • Healthy corn and zucchini fritter stacked and topped with greek yogurt, roasted corn, and basil.
      Healthy Corn and Zucchini Fritters

    As Featured In

    The Heirloom Pantry As Featured In

    Popular Recipes

    • Closeup shot of ricotta tomato tartlets with puff pastry.
      Tomato Tartlets with Puff Pastry
    • Furikake Salmon with Kewpie mayo on a sheet pan with a spatula.
      Furikake Salmon
    • matcha cookies in a pile
      Matcha Cookies (Soft and Chewy)
    • White and brown fotzu waiting for bowl of bone broth.
      How to Make Beef Bone Broth for Dogs
    • Overhead shot of sliced Spam in a pan with homemade teriyaki sauce.
      Fried Spam (How to Cook Spam)
    • Broiled Salmon Collars (Sake Kama) on serving plate with beer.
      Broiled Salmon Collars (Sake Kama)
    The Heirloom Pantry shop page.

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    Recipes

    About

    Shop

    Contact

    Privacy Policy

    Copy-of-The-Heirloom-Pantry-Typography-Logo
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • Instagram
    • TikTok
    • YouTube

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2024 The Heirloom Pantry, LLC®

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.