How to Glaze a Cake

Give your cake a finished look by pouring sweet glaze over it. For a classic glaze that's great on tea cakes, whisk powdered sugar with water or milk. If you have something fancier in mind, create a glossy mirror glaze that shines on the surface of the cake. You can also mix together a simple chocolate glaze that makes even the simplest cake taste decadent.

Ingredients

Simple Powdered Sugar Glaze

4 cups (500 g) of powdered (confectioners') sugar
4 to 5 tablespoons (59 to 74 ml) of water or milk
1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of vanilla extract, optional
Food coloring, optional

Makes 1 ¹⁄₂ cups (350 ml) of glaze

Basic Mirror Glaze

2 tablespoons plus 1 teaspoon (21.5 g or 3 packets) of unflavored gelatin
¹⁄₂ cup (120 ml) plus ³⁄₄ cup (180 ml) of warm water
1 3/4 cups (375 g) of sugar
1/2 cup (153 g) of sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon (1 g) of kosher salt
2 1/2 cups (425 g) of white chocolate chips
Gel food coloring, optional

Makes 4 cups (950 ml) of glaze

Rich Chocolate Glaze

2 ounces (57 g) of bittersweet chocolate
2 1/2 ounces (70 g) of unsweetened chocolate
³⁄₄ cup (180 ml) of heavy cream or whipping cream
3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (175 g) of sugar
4 tablespoons (56 g) of unsalted butter, at room temperature
³⁄₄ teaspoon (3.7 ml) of vanilla extract
1 pinch of salt

Makes 2 cups (470 ml) of glaze

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Simple Powdered Sugar Glaze

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1
Put the powdered sugar, water, and vanilla in a bowl. Pour 4 cups (500 g) of powdered (confectioners') sugar into a large bowl and add 4 tablespoons (59 ml) of water or milk. If you'd like to give the glaze a faint vanilla flavor, add 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of vanilla extract.^{[1]XResearch source}
- Feel free to substitute any flavor extract to customize the glaze. For example, use almond extract, butter extract, or peppermint extract.
- To make vegan glaze, buy vegan powdered sugar since it hasn't been made using bone char.
- To thicken the glaze, you can add more sugar while mixing.
Variation: For a citrusy glaze, use freshly squeezed lemon juice or orange juice instead of water or milk.
2
Whisk until the glaze is smooth. Whisk for at least 30 seconds so the powdered sugar absorbs the liquid. Press against lumps of powdered sugar to break them up so they dissolve. If the glaze is too thick for your liking, whisk in the remaining 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of water or milk.^{[2]XResearch source}
- If you don't have a whisk, you can use a spoon. Use the back of the spoon to break up any lumps of powdered sugar.
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3
Stir in food coloring if you want to make a tinted glaze. If you don't color the glaze, it will dry pale white in color. To make a colorful glaze, squirt in a few drops of food color and stir well. Keep adding the food coloring a few drops at a time until the glaze is the shade you want.^{[3]XResearch source}
- Use storebought food coloring or make homemade natural dye.
4
Place a completely cooled cake on a wire rack. Then, set the rack with the cake onto a rimmed baking sheet. The baking sheet will catch the drips from the glaze.^{[4]XResearch source}
- If you pour the glaze over a warm cake, the cake will absorb the icing.
- If possible, let the cake sit overnight in the fridge.
5
Pour the glaze over the cake and let the glaze set. Slowly pour the icing onto the center of the cake. Then, pour around the edges of the cake so the icing falls over the sides. Let the cake rest for at least 10 minutes so the icing hardens.^{[5]XResearch source}
- If you prefer, use a ladle to pour spoonfuls of the glaze over your cake.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Basic Mirror Glaze

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1
Put a frosted cake in the refrigerator 2 hours before you make the glaze. Ensure that the frosting is completely smooth along the top and sides of your cake. If there are any ridges or swirls in the frosting, the mirror glaze won't be perfectly reflective.^{[6]XResearch source}
- You can also pour a mirror glaze over mousse cake.
2
Mix the gelatin with water and let it sit for 5 minutes. Get out a small bowl and pour ¹⁄₂ cup (120 ml) of warm water into it. Open 3 packets of unflavored gelatin and pour the 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) plus 1 teaspoon (21.5 g) of powdered gelatin over the water. Stir to combine the gelatin and let it hydrate for 5 minutes.^{[7]XResearch source}
- The gelatin absorbs the water as it sits, which is why it's important to set it aside while you work on the rest of the glaze.
3
Heat the sugar, condensed milk, vanilla, salt, and water in a pan for 4 minutes. Set a small saucepan on the stove and pour 1 3/4 cups (375 g) of sugar into it along with 1/2 cup (153 g) of sweetened condensed milk, 1 teaspoon (4.9 ml) of vanilla extract, and 1/4 teaspoon (1 g) of kosher salt. Stir the mixture over medium heat until it starts to bubble.^{[8]XResearch source}
- Stir the glaze mixture occasionally as it heats.
Scoop the hydrated gelatin into the saucepan. Then, stir the glaze over medium heat. It's important to completely dissolve the gelatin so the mirror glaze sets up properly when you pour it over the cake.^{[9]XResearch source}
5
Turn off the burner and stir in the white chocolate chips. Add 2 1/2 cups (425 g) of white chocolate chips to the hot glaze and stir constantly. Keep mixing until the chocolate melts and combines with the glaze.^{[10]XResearch source}
- If you don't like white chocolate chips or want a brown mirror glaze, replace the white chocolate chips with semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chips.
Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl. Slowly pour the glaze through the strainer to catch any solids that could prevent your glaze from being perfectly smooth.^{[11]XResearch source}
Tip: If you want to color the mirror glaze, stir in gel food coloring until you get your desired shade. To make a few different colors, divide the glaze between several bowls and tint each bowl a different color.
7
Cool the glaze until it's between 90 and 95 °F (32 and 35 °C). Stir the glaze every few minutes to prevent a skin from forming on the surface. Let the glaze cool for about 10 minutes or until it's between 90 and 95 °F (32 and 35 °C).^{[12]XResearch source}
- If your glaze cools too much and the temperature falls below 90 °F (32 °C), microwave the glaze in 10-second intervals until it's up to temperature.
8
Pour the mirror glaze over the chilled cake. Remove the chilled cake from the fridge and set it on a wire rack. Lift the rack up and set it down on a rimmed baking sheet. Then, pour the glaze over the center of the cake. Pour along the edges so the glaze drips down the side.^{[13]XResearch source}
- Avoid spreading the glaze with a knife or offset spatula since these could leave streaks on the surface of the glaze.
9
Chill the glazed cake for at least 30 minutes before serving it. Transfer the cake back to the refrigerator and let it chill until the glaze sets up. You can glaze the cake and refrigerate it up to 1 day in advance.^{[14]XResearch source}
- Transfer the glazed cake to a cake stand or serving plate before you serve the cake.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Rich Chocolate Glaze

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1
Chop both types of chocolate and place them in a heat-proof bowl. Place 2 ounces (57 g) of bittersweet chocolate and 2 1/2 ounces (70 g) of unsweetened chocolate on a cutting board. Carefully chop the chocolate into fine pieces that are ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) or less in size. Then, put all of the chopped chocolate into a medium-sized heat-proof bowl.^{[15]XResearch source}
- Use the best quality chocolate you can for the glaze.
2
Put the cream and sugar in a small saucepan. Set the pan on the stove and pour ³⁄₄ cup (180 ml) of heavy cream into it. Then, add 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (175 g) of sugar.^{[16]XResearch source}
- You can use heavy cream or whipping cream for the chocolate glaze.
Did You Know? Heavy cream has a milk fat content of 35% while whipping cream contains 30 to 35% milk fat. If you use heavy cream, the glaze will be a little richer and creamier.
3
Warm the cream and sugar over medium heat until it bubbles. Stir the mixture occasionally until it begins to bubble just a little around the edges of the pan. You might need to adjust the burner so the cream doesn't begin to boil.
- Heat the mixture until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Turn off the burner and wear oven mitts as you slowly pour the cream into the bowl with the chopped chocolate. It's important to pour the cream over the chocolate while it's hot so the heat from the cream can melt the chocolate.^{[17]XResearch source}
5
Rest the mixture for 5 minutes before you whisk it. If you stir the chocolate and cream before the chocolate melts, it will become slightly lumpy. Instead, wait a full 5 minutes before whisking.^{[18]XResearch source}
- If you don't have a whisk, you can use a spoon to stir the glaze.
6
Whisk in the butter, vanilla, and 1 pinch of salt. Add 4 tablespoons (59.1 ml) (56 g) of softened butter to the glaze along with ³⁄₄ teaspoon (3.7 ml) of vanilla extract and 1 pinch of salt. Whisk until the butter melts and the glaze thins.^{[19]XResearch source}
- Taste the glaze and add more salt if you like.
7
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.^{[20]XResearch source}
- To glaze cupcakes, arrange them on the wire rack so they're almost touching.
8
Ladle the glaze over the center of the cake. Dip a ladle into the glaze and pour it onto the middle of the cake. Keep pouring so the glaze spills over the sides of the cake. If the chocolate glaze isn't spreading evenly, you can use the bottom of the ladle or the back of a spoon to push the glaze over the sides of the cake.^{[21]XResearch source}
- If you don't want to use a ladle, slowly pour the chocolate glaze onto the cake.
- The chocolate glaze will thicken as it sits, so work quickly. If it's too firm to pour, microwave the glaze for 5 to 10 seconds to loosen it.

Expert Q&A

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Question
How do you glaze a cake before icing it?
Maha Mohamed
Custom Dessert Artist
Maha Mohamed is a Custom Dessert Artist and the Owner of Sweet Treats SJ. Maha has over ten years of experience creating custom treats for special occasions. She specializes in custom cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and chocolate-covered treats.
Maha Mohamed
Custom Dessert Artist
Expert Answer
Add a crumb coat first! Apply a thin layer of glaze around the cake first and let the cake it in the fridge for a little while. Then, frost the rest of the cake.
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