This orange glaze is made with fresh orange juice, zest, and powdered sugar. Drizzle it over cakes, muffins, scones, or other baked goods for a burst of sweet citrus flavor!

Orange glaze being drizzled over a freshly baked good for a citrusy finishing touch.

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Tangy Orange Icing Glaze

I love using citrus glazes on baked goods, and while lemon is often my go-to, this sweet and tangy orange glaze never disappoints! In just a few minutes, it can elevate any simple dessert from orange scones to cranberry orange bread and glazed orange muffins.

This orange glaze recipe is a bright, citrusy twist on my classic powdered sugar glaze. Flavored with fresh orange juice and zest, it’s beautifully flecked with bits of zest and makes a stunning orange icing for cakes, especially bundt cakes!

Ingredient Notes

Simple orange glaze ingredients including fresh oranges, powdered sugar, zest and vanilla on a kitchen counter.
  • Powdered Sugar: Adjust the amount to get the consistency you want. Add more for a thicker velvety glaze or less for a thinner drizzle.
  • Fresh Orange Juice: For the best flavor, use freshly squeezed juice from sweet, juicy oranges. Cara Cara oranges are my favorite for their color and sweetness, but Florida Sunkist oranges are also a great choice. Since you’ll be using the zest as well, look for oranges with smooth, healthy skin and minimal blemishes. Avoid thick or damaged peels.
  • Orange Zest: Use a Microplane or fine grater to zest just the outer orange layer of the peel. Avoid the bitter white pith underneath.
  • Vanilla Extract: A splash of pure vanilla brings out the citrus flavor and adds a warm, smooth note to the glaze.

How to Make Orange Glaze

  1. Whisk: In a small bowl whisk or stir together the confectioners’ sugar, orange juice, zest, and vanilla. Stir until everything is smooth.
  2. Taste: Give the glaze a taste test and see if you would like to add more vanilla or orange juice/zest. 
  3. Drizzle: Your glaze is ready to drizzle on top of bread, muffins, rolls, or any of your other favorite desserts!
Homemade orange glaze in a clear bowl showing glossy texture with orange zest.

Recipe Tips

  • Get more juice: Microwave the orange for 10 seconds, then roll it on the counter with firm pressure. This helps release more juice.
  • Want a crunchy glaze? Substitute powdered sugar with about 1/2 cup of granulated sugar for a textured, sugary finish.
  • Adjust the consistency: If the glaze is too thin, mix in more powdered sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Too thick? Add orange juice (or water) a teaspoon at a time until it’s pourable.
  • Citrus swap: Use this same base to make a lemon, lime, key lime, or grapefruit glaze.
  • Add richness: Stir in a little melted butter for a creamier glaze. A pinch of salt can also help balance the sweetness.
  • Boost the flavor: For extra orange flavor, add up to 1 teaspoon of orange extract.

Serving Suggestions

There are so many ways in which you can use an orange icing glaze. Pair it with some of the sweets below or using it on your favorite desserts:

  • Spoon it over a loaf cake or a bundt cake.
  • Dip homemade doughnuts in the glaze.
  • Use a thicker orange glaze to spread over orange sweet rolls. You could also leave it a thinner glaze and pour it on top, allowing it to melt right into the roll.
  • The next time you bake sugar cookies jazz them up with an orange glaze.
Simple orange glaze in bowl on the counter.

You may love these other icing recipes! Cream cheese glaze, cream cheese frosting and sour cream frosting are just a few favorites.

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Spooning thick orange glaze over a baked good showing consistency.

Orange Glaze

5 from 7 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 12
This orange glaze is made with fresh orange juice, zest, and powdered sugar. Drizzle it over cakes, muffins, scones, or other baked goods for a burst of sweet citrus flavor!
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Ingredients 

  • ½ cup powdered sugar
  • 1-2 Tablespoons fresh orange juice
  • zest of 1 orange
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla

Instructions

  • Whisk together 1/2 cup powdered sugar, 1-2 Tablespoons orange juice, zest of one orange and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract in a small bowl. Stir until smooth.
  • Taste and add more vanilla or orange juice/zest as needed. If you want a thicker consistency, add a Tablespoon more of powdered sugar. To thin it down, add in a teaspoon of juice or water until desired consistency is met.
  • Drizzle on top of bread, muffins, rolls or your favorite dessert.

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

Notes

Storing: This glaze will stay fresh in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Before using, let set on counter to come to room temperature. Then mix together and add a few drops of water if needed to loosen it up a bit. 
Flavor: This recipe works for lemon, grapefruit, lime, and key lime too!

Nutrition

Calories: 21kcal, Carbohydrates: 5g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g, Monounsaturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 3mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 5g, Vitamin A: 3IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 1mg, Iron: 1mg

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