This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, please see our affiliate policy.
Leave a ReviewJump to Recipe
This easy, 3-ingredient Powdered Sugar Icing is perfect for bundt cakes, pound cakes, angel food cakes, cookies, and quick breads. A little glaze makes everything look (and taste) even better.
![Powdered Sugar Icing (1) Powdered Sugar Icing (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.culinaryhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Powdered-Sugar-Icing-Culinary-Hill.jpg)
Table of Contents
- Recipe ingredients
- Ingredient notes
- Step-by-step instructions
- Recipe tips and variations
- More From Culinary Hill
- Powdered Sugar Icing Recipe
Recipe ingredients
At a Glance: Here is a quick snapshot of what ingredients are in this recipe.
Please see the recipe card below for specific quantities.
Ingredient notes
- Confectioner’s sugar: Using powdered sugar is important because it dissolves without heat. To make your own, pour granulated sugar into a blender or food processor, then blend the sugar until it is a fine, fluffy powdered sugar.
- Milk: Or water or half-and-half. Add enough for your desired glaze consistency.
Step-by-step instructions
- In a medium bowl, add powdered sugar and vanilla.
![Powdered Sugar Icing (3) Powdered Sugar Icing (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.culinaryhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Powdered-Sugar-Icing-Culinary-Hill-1.jpg)
- Add enough milk to reach your desired consistency for drizzling. The glaze will harden in 20 to 30 minutes.
![Powdered Sugar Icing (4) Powdered Sugar Icing (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.culinaryhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Powdered-Sugar-Icing-Culinary-Hill-2.jpg)
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes about ¾ cup icing (12 tablespoons) depending on how much liquid you add to thin it.
- Lemon icing: Substitute ¼ cup lemon juice for the milk or water and omit the vanilla extract. Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest if desired.
- Lime icing: Substitute ¼ cup lime juice for the milk or water and omit the vanilla extract. Add 1 teaspoon lime zest if desired.
- Orange icing: Substitute ¼ cup orange juice for the milk or water and omit the vanilla extract. Add 1 teaspoon orange zest if desired.
- Almond icing: Substitute ½ teaspoon almond extra for the vanilla extract.
- Light icing: Mix 1 cup (4 ounces) powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon low-fat milk and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.
- Does powdered sugar icing need to be refrigerated? No, even if you use milk in your icing. The small amount of milk is stabilized by the large amount of sugar and is considered safe at room temperature for two to three days. Always refrigerate any cake with a frosting that contains eggs or egg whites, or one that has whipped-cream frosting or any type of filling.
![Powdered Sugar Icing (5) Powdered Sugar Icing (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.culinaryhill.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Cinnamon-Apple-Cake-Culinary-Hill-1200x800-1.jpg)
Lemon Bundt Cake Recipe
This amazing Lemon Bundt Cake uses two secret ingredients (cake mix and instant pudding!) to make it the easiest, most delicious lemon cake you’ve ever had.
1 hour hour 15 minutes minutes
View Recipe
Desserts to glaze
Cake Recipes
Easy Pound Cake
Breakfast Recipes
Monkey Bread
Fruit Dessert Recipes
Blueberry Lemon Yogurt Cake
Cake Recipes
Spice Cake
More From Culinary Hill
- Sloppy Joes
- Copycat Chipotle Chicken
- How to Make a Strawberry Margarita
- Caesar Salad Dressing
Powdered Sugar Icing
By Meggan Hill
This easy, 3-ingredient Powdered Sugar Icing is perfect for bundt cakes, pound cakes, angel food cakes, cookies, and quick breads. A little glaze makes everything look (and taste) even better.
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Servings 12 servings (1 tbsp each)
Course Dessert, Pantry
Cuisine American
Calories 81
4.99 from 199 votes
ReviewPrint
Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar (see note 1)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 3 to 4 tablespoons milk or water (see note 2)
Instructions
In a medium bowl, stir together powdered sugar and vanilla. Add water or milk until desired consistency is reached. Drizzle over cooled baked goods or dessert. The glaze will harden in 20 to 30 minutes.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Powdered sugar: Using powdered sugar is important because it dissolves without heat. To make your own, pour granulated sugar into a blender or food processor, then blend the sugar until it is a fine, fluffy powdered sugar.
- Milk: Or water or half-and-half. Add enough for your desired glaze consistency.
- Yield: This recipe makes about ¾ cup icing (12 tablespoons) depending on how much liquid you add to thin it.
- Lemon icing: Substitute ¼ cup lemon juice for the milk or water and omit the vanilla extract. Add 1 teaspoon lemon zest if desired.
- Lime icing: Substitute ¼ cup lime juice for the milk or water and omit the vanilla extract. Add 1 teaspoon lime zest if desired.
- Orange icing: Substitute ¼ cup orange juice for the milk or water and omit the vanilla extract. Add 1 teaspoon orange zest if desired.
- Almond icing: Substitute ½ teaspoon almond extra for the vanilla extract.
- Light icing: Mix 1 cup (4 ounces) powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon low-fat milk and 1 tablespoon vanilla extract.
- Does powdered sugar icing need to be refrigerated? No, even if you use milk in your icing. The small amount of milk is stabilized by the large amount of sugar and is considered safe at room temperature for two to three days. Always refrigerate any cake with a frosting that contains eggs or egg whites, or one that has whipped-cream frosting or any type of filling.
Nutrition
Serving: 1tbspCalories: 81kcalCarbohydrates: 20gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 2mgPotassium: 6mgSugar: 20gVitamin A: 6IUCalcium: 4mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @culinaryhill on Instagram so we can admire your masterpiece! #culinaryhill
Meggan Hill
Website | + posts
Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.