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The easiest bundt or loaf cake icing you can make is a simple orange cake glaze. All you need is powdered sugar, a little vanilla, and a fresh orange. Mix together in just 3 minutes, then pour over your favorite cakes and quick breads for a sweet citrus topping.
Key Ingredients & Test Notes
- Powdered Sugar: Aka confectioner’s sugar or icing sugar, creates a smooth pourable icing.
- Test Note: Any brand will do, just make sure to sift it before mixing.
- Fresh Orange Juice & Orange Zest: A double punch of citrus for a bright, zingy cake glaze.
- Test Note: Change it up with lemon, lime, or grapefruit in the same amount for different flavor options.
- Vanilla Bean Paste: I like using vanilla bean paste for the little black flecks of vanilla, but vanilla extract will deliver the same vanilla flavor if that’s what you have.
How to Make Orange Glaze
I love how simply stirring a few ingredients together can transform just about any baked good into an elevated citrus enhanced treat.
- Place the sifted powdered sugar, vanilla, orange zest, and orange juice in medium bowl.
- Take a metal hand whisk and stir until smooth.
- To make it thinner add another teaspoon of orange juice. Or to make it thicker, stir in a tablespoon of powdered sugar. Adjust thickness to your personal preference.
How to Use Orange Cake Glaze
Wait until your baked goods have cooled to room temp, then go ahead and pour or drizzle on the glaze with a spoon. Trust me, if you add the glaze to a warm cake it will just melt and run away!
I love adding a citrus glaze to similar flavored citrus cakes and fruity bakes, like these.
- Pour over loaf cakes, like a my vanilla orange cake or this buttery sour cream pound cake.
- Drizzle on top of fresh fruit scones and muffins, my favorites are cherry scones and blueberry crumble muffins.
★★★★★ Please leave a star rating and review below if you make this recipe! THANK YOU!!
Simple Orange Cake Glaze
Equipment
- hand whisk
Ingredients
- 150 grams (1 ¼ cups) powdered sugar, *more to thicken
- 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice, *more to thin
- 2 teaspoons orange zest
- 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a medium sized mixing bowl and whisk together until smooth.150 grams powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons fresh orange juice, 2 teaspoons orange zest, 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or pure vanilla extract
- Consistency should be a thick but spreadable icing. Add a teaspoon of orange juice and stir again for a thinner glaze. To thicken stir in a tablespoon more of powdered sugar.
- Spoon the glaze over the top of cooled cakes, scones, muffins, or cookies.
