Add this cream cheese glaze to all of your baking for a simply delicious way to create an elegant drip down your cakes, a smooth creamy frosting for your cookies, or an extra special topping on your pancakes!

Cream cheese glaze in bowl.

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Easy Cream Cheese Glaze

With only 5 ingredients, this fool-proof recipe allows you to play around with the consistency. It’s totally customizable to whatever your needs are, whether it’s a drip, dunk, dip, or spread. Use it to smother your cinnamon rolls, drizzle over elf on the shelf pancakes or apple turnovers or even frost your easy carrot cake.

This quick and easy glaze along with my powdered sugar icing is something you’re going to want to have on hand, especially during the holidays!

Elevate your cookies, donuts, pumpkin cakes or even this cheese danish recipe with this finishing touch! It tastes similar to my easy cream cheese frosting or cheesecake dip, but with a drippier consistency. We love to use it on a homemade funnel cake, so good!

5 Simple Ingredients

These pantry staple ingredients are always ready to go and make the best cream cheese glaze. Soften your cream cheese and butter ahead of time and this homemade glaze will be ready in minutes!

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Cream cheese: Softened. Take it out about half an hour prior to get it to room temperature. It will help with the creamy consistency.
  • Unsalted butter: Softened. Also something you want to have at room temperature prior to starting.
  • Powdered sugar: Depending on how thick or thin you want your glaze, will determine how much you use in the end.
  • Milk: Another component that will determine the final consistency. You can also use heavy cream or half and half.
  • Vanilla extract: I use pure vanilla extract. It adds a lovely flavor but also adds a bit of color which turns it from stark white to a more mellow white. For flavor variations, swap out vanilla for citrus extract, almond extract, or even cinnamon!
  • Optional salt: If you are using unsalted butter and would like to add more salt, just a pinch will do. I like to be able to add the desired amount myself.

How to Make this Cream Cheese Glaze

The delicate balance of sweetness from the sugar and a slight tang from the cream cheese is complemented by the smooth creamy texture. It is an essential topping to any baked treat!

Mixing cream cheese glaze.
  1. Beat: In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter until smooth. Can you imagine trying to mix cold cream cheese with a cold stick of butter?!
  2. Add: To the bowl, add powdered sugar, some of the milk, and vanilla. Beat until combined. Do not overmix.
  3. Taste: Add a pinch of salt and more vanilla if desired. Add a Tablespoon of milk at a time to reach the desired consistency. The thinner you want it, the more milk you’ll add. If you want it thicker, use less milk and a tablespoon of powdered sugar.

Pro Tip: If you are still finding the consistency is not as thin as you’d like and you find yourself going back and forth between milk and powdered sugar, try warming it up a bit. This should help get it to where you need it.

Electric mixer in a glass bowl making cream cheese glaze.

Recipe FAQs

What’s the difference between cream cheese frosting and glaze?

Cream cheese frosting is thick and fluffy whereas glaze has a thin and glossier look. The frosting is more for coating cakes and cream cheese glaze is used for drizzling and decorating desserts. They both have sweet and delicious flavoring!

How do I thicken the cream cheese glaze?

The best way to thicken the glaze is to set it in the refrigerator for ten minutes. This helps the butter cool and firm up. You can also add the meringue powder to help the thickening process too.

Do you put the glaze on a warm or cool cake?

A cool cake for sure! You will want to make sure the dessert you are frosting with the glaze is completely cool or at room temperature before adding it to it. The glaze will melt off of the dessert if not.

How do you drizzle icing with a spoon?

I like to use a spoon and dip it into the bowl with mixed glaze ingredients. Drizzle over top donuts, cookies, scones, or any dessert you are making. To avoid making a mess, set the dessert on a sheet of parchment paper or waxed paper. Once the glaze has set, simply throw away the paper.

A spoon with cream cheese glaze.
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“Made this as toppings for our breakfast pancakes and it was such a hit to our kids! It is so good and creamy I highly recommend this.”

Natasha

Storing Tips

Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Because of the milk and cream cheese, it will not keep at room temperature for long.

Do you love a light and creamy glaze recipe!? Then I have just what you are going to love with this maple glaze, orange glaze, or for a savory dish this balsamic glaze. Try these on your favorite sweet or savory recipes!

More Recipes to Use it on

Cream cheese glaze.

Cream Cheese Glaze

5 from 36 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 10
Add this cream cheese glaze to all of your baking for a simply delicious way to create an elegant drip down your cakes, a smooth creamy frosting for your cupcakes, or an extra special topping on your pancakes!
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Ingredients 

  • 4 ounces cream cheese (softened)
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (softened)
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar (more or less as needed)
  • 2-3 Tablespoons milk (more as needed)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Optional: pinch of salt

Instructions

  • In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and butter until smooth. Then add the powdered sugar, 2 Tablespoons of milk and vanilla. Beat just until combined. Do not over mix. 
  • Taste and add a pinch of salt and more vanilla if desired. Add a Tablespoon more of milk at a time until reach desired consistency. If you want it to drip down a dessert, you'll need a little more. If you want it thicker, use less or add a Tablespoon more of powdered sugar.
  • Store in the refrigerator for 3-5 days. 

Last step: Please leave a comment and rating after you make the recipe.

Nutrition

Calories: 117kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 9g, Saturated Fat: 5g, Cholesterol: 25mg, Sodium: 39mg, Potassium: 20mg, Sugar: 9g, Vitamin A: 300IU, Calcium: 16mg, Iron: 1mg

Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.