This simple vanilla icing recipe is easy to make with just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep. Use it to top your favorite cakes, muffins, and donuts with a little extra sweetness!
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Vanilla icing is one of those things that will add a little something special to your baked goods.
I love this simple icing recipe on loaf cakes, bundt cakes, muffins, breakfast pastries, donuts, and cinnamon rolls. Its easily customizable to match the flavors of whatever you're pairing with it, and ready in just 5 minutes!
Take a look at how easy this is, then let me know in the comments what you'll be pouring it on (or if you'll just eat it off the spoon, wink!).
Ingredients
- Powdered sugar
- Vanilla extract
- Milk
- Salt (optional)
How to make vanilla icing
- Add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, and milk to a bowl and stir or whisk to combine. The icing should be smooth and run off the whisk without being transparent.
Top tips
Sift the powdered sugar
This isn't 100% necessary unless you want silky smooth icing without any lumps. It can be difficult to whisk the icing enough to get all the little lumps out that form with powdered sugar, but sifting it will eliminate all of them!
If you do choose to sift your sugar, measure it first, then sift it. The volume will change slightly with sifting.
How to adjust the consistency of icing
Icing is easier to make thinner or thicker, even if you mess up and pour in too much liquid! The amount of liquid in your icing is what will make it pourable or thick like frosting. Milk will also give you a thinner icing than heavy cream.
If you want your icing thinner for drizzles and glazes, add a little more milk or vanilla. A little bit goes a long way, so add it in small increments until you get the desired result.
If your icing is too thin, add a little more powdered sugar to even it out. If you need to go this route, you may want to add a few drops of extra vanilla or a tiny pinch of salt to balance the flavor.
The best vanilla for making icing
I love my homemade vanilla because it doesn't tint the frosting too much and you can see the tiny vanilla bean seeds in it! If you don't have homemade vanilla, look for a high quality, pure vanilla extract rather than imitation. The brands I usually grab are Watkins or McCormick.
How to store
Fresh icing is best, but you can keep leftover icing covered with plastic wrap in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You may want to press the plastic wrap against the icing to help prevent it from forming a crust. I recommend giving it a good stir before using.
Where to use this vanilla icing recipe
- Banana Bundt Cake
- Carrot Muffins
- Mini Chocolate Muffins
- Lemon Poppyseed Muffins
- Chocolate Chip Mug Cake
- Healthy Banana Mug Cake
- Grandma's Lemon Pound Cake
- Chocolate Pistachio Christmas Star Bread
- Buttery Bourbon Cherry Cookies
- Giant Ginger Cookies
Tips for customizing vanilla icing
- Flavor your icing by adding cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, or allspice
- Swap the milk for heavy cream, orange juice, lemon juice, maple syrup, honey, or tea (you may choose to omit the vanilla with some of these)
- Use less milk to make it thicker and spread with a knife
- Add a dash of almond extract
FAQ
You might think these two things are the same, but there's actually a distinct difference between them. Icing is thin and glossy, and is often used as a glaze for small cakes, muffins, and donuts.
Frosting is thicker and a little fluffy. It usually contains butter, shortening, or cream cheese and is meant to be spread on top of and between the layers of a cake.
Yes, you can easily make this vanilla icing into a vanilla glaze by adding a little more milk at a time and whisking until it reaches your desired consistency.
More dessert recipes
- Applesauce Cupcakes
- Applesauce Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting
- Chai Baked Donuts
- Whiskey Salted Caramels
- Easy Chocolate Chip Blondie Recipe
- Orange Chocolate Cake
If you make this recipe, be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram!
Recipe
Vanilla Icing
Ingredients
- ¾ cup confectioner's sugar, sifted
- 2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 1-2 teaspoons milk, or more as needed
- Pinch of salt, optional
Instructions
- To a medium sized bowl, add powdered sugar, vanilla extract, 1 teaspoon of milk, and salt if using. Stir or whisk to combine.
- Add more milk a few drops at a time to reach the desired consistency. The icing should be smooth and run off the whisk without being transparent.
Notes
Tips for customizing vanilla icing
- Flavor your icing by adding cinnamon, cardamom, ginger, or allspice
- Swap the milk for heavy cream, orange juice, lemon juice, maple syrup, honey, or tea (you may choose to omit the vanilla with some of these)
- Use less milk to make it thicker and spread with a knife
- Add a dash of almond extract
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