Easy powdered sugar icing uses only 3 ingredients and is the perfect way to elevate your cookies, cakes and muffins. Just whisk the glaze together and drizzle on baked goods!

Powdered sugar icing in a bowl.

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Vanilla Powdered Sugar Icing

Powdered sugar icing is one of the easiest ways to add a sweet finish to your baked goods. With just a few simple ingredients, you can whip up a quick icing that’s perfect for drizzling over cookies, cakes, or sweet breads.

It’s quicker than making buttercream frosting and very similar to sugar cookie icing or the classic gingerbread house icing, but with even less effort.

Ingredient Notes

Powdered sugar icing ingredients on counter.

Find the full printable recipe with specific measurements below.

  • Heavy cream: Or whole milk, the higher the fat content, the thicker the icing will be. Thin icing to desired consistency by adjusting the amount of cream or milk. To make a dairy-free or vegan icing, use oat milk, coconut milk, soy milk or almond milk.
  • Powdered sugar: This is sugar ground up to a powder and usually contains cornstarch to act as an anti-clumping agent. Even still, make sure to sift it to guarantee a smoother glaze.
  • Vanilla extract: I use pure vanilla extract. For a pure white glaze, use a clear vanilla extract.

How to Make Powdered Sugar Icing

If you can stir, you can make this vanilla powdered sugar glaze recipe. Just be sure to get the right consistency by adjusting the amount of liquid, if needed.

Powdered sugar icing in a glass bowl.
  1. Combine: Sift the powdered sugar into a bowl and add heavy cream (or whole milk) and vanilla. Stir until smooth.
  2. Add: If you are finding it too thick, add more cream a teaspoon at a time, as needed. You want it on the thicker side, otherwise, it will run off of your baked goods!
  3. Use immediately: Once your cookies, muffins, donuts, quick bread or other baked goods have cooled, drizzle the icing over top using a spoon. Do not add while hot.

Recipe Tips

  • Yield: This icing makes about 3/4 cup glaze or 12 Tablespoons. This could differ depending on how thin or thick you make it.
  • If your icing is too thick or dry: Add a Tablespoon of milk or cream until icing is spreadable, drippy or desired consistency.
  • Icing is too thin: If you have added too much liquid and it’s now too drippy, add a few Tablespoons powdered sugar and stir until smooth.
  • Frosting with powdered sugar and butter: Try my sugar cookie frosting instead!
powdered sugar glaze in bowl

More easy frosting recipes to try include chocolate frosting, vanilla frosting and cream cheese frosting.

More Easy Icing Recipes

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Powdered sugar icing in a glass bowl.

Powdered Sugar Icing

5 from 17 votes
Recipe by: Jamielyn Nye
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 12
Easy powdered sugar icing uses powdered sugar, milk and vanilla for the easiest 3-ingredient glaze for all your baked goods.
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Ingredients 

  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 2-3 Tablespoons heavy cream or whole milk , more or less as needed
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla extract , plus more to taste
  • Pinch salt (optional)

Instructions

  • In a medium bowl, stir together the 1 cup powdered sugar, 2-3 Tablespoons heavy cream and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla until smooth.
  • Add more cream as needed to thin out the consistency. You want it to be smooth and slightly thicker so that it doesn't run off your baked goods. Taste and add salt or more vanilla, if desired.
  • Drizzle or pipe. Place in a zip-top bag and snip the end or use a spoon to drizzle over the top of cookies, doughnuts, quick breads, or muffins. Best used immediately.

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

Notes

Storage: This glaze will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days. The small amount of milk is preserved by a large amount of sugar and will remain safe.

Nutrition

Calories: 48kcal, Carbohydrates: 10g, Protein: 0.1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.04g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 3mg, Sodium: 1mg, Potassium: 3mg, Sugar: 10g, Vitamin A: 37IU, Vitamin C: 0.01mg, Calcium: 2mg, Iron: 0.01mg

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

Variations

  • Citrus: Make a lemon icing, lime icing or orange glaze. Replace the milk with 2 Tablespoons lemon juice, lime juice or orange juice and omit vanilla. Add citrus zest.
  • Extract: For a almond icing, substitute almond extract for the vanilla. You can also use coconut extract, lemon extract or butter extract.
  • Chocolate: Add unsweetened cocoa powder for a chocolate version.
  • Fresh berries: Add 1/4 cup pureed strawberries, raspberries or blueberries.
  • Color your cookie icing: Tint your powdered sugar icing by adding any food coloring or gel food coloring you would like.
  • Seasonal: Add a pinch of cinnamon sugar or pumpkin pie spice to add a warm flavor to the icing or sprinkle on after glazing.
  • Light icing: Use a low-fat milk. Increase vanilla extract for added flavor.

Recipe FAQs

Can powdered sugar be used as icing sugar?

The names can be confusing, but powdered sugar, icing sugar, confectioner’s sugar, confectioners sugar and 10x sugar are one and same thing and can be used interchangeably.

Is powdered sugar icing the same as royal icing?

No, royal icing is different as it uses egg whites or meringue powder to hold a better structure when decorating cookies. While we are talking differences, a powdered sugar frosting uses butter!

Can I pipe this a simple powdered sugar glaze?

If you’re wanting to decorate using a piping bag, make your own by placing the icing in a zip-top bag and snip the end to create a small opening. Best used immediately while nice and smooth!

Does powdered sugar icing need to be refrigerated?

No, even if you use milk. This glaze will keep at room temperature for up to 3 days. The small amount of milk is preserved by a large amount of sugar and will remain safe.