Name: Easy Maple Glaze Recipe (Maple Icing)
Prep time: 2 min
Cook time: 3 min
Total time: 5 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons Salted Butter; ⅓ cup Pure Maple Syrup; 1 cup Powdered Sugar; ¼ teaspoon Maple Extract

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This simple recipe for Maple Glaze is an easy 5 minute recipe. It calls for just a few ingredients and is perfect for baked goods and desserts.

maple glaze in a small white bowl with a gold rim with a white and blue spoon in it

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A basic glaze on top of muffins, quick breads, and bundt cake is great but you can really take it up a notch when it’s infused with maple syrup to make a Maple Glaze (aka maple icing).

I first made this glaze when testing my Gluten Free Sour Cream Coffee Cake recipe. I don’t often make a glaze for it but for a special brunch or holiday, glaze really elevates the coffee cake.

A traditional glaze felt too ordinary and the cinnamon glaze I made for my Blueberry Coffee Cake seemed too one-note. Cinnamon on cinnamon is great and all but not what I was going for here because of the apple cinnamon recipe I’m planning on pairing it with.

To keep the glaze very fall-forward, I decided to go with pure maple syrup. I’ve always loved maple and cinnamon together.

They really complement each other without overpowering each unique flavor. You can still distinctly taste maple and cinnamon. It’s like a fall flavor party!

If you’re not planning on serving this with a cinnamon dessert, you can add a pinch of cinnamon to the glaze to get that flavor boost.

I’ve done additional testing and made a few improvements to the original maple glaze recipe from the coffee cake to make the best glaze possible. This version has more flavor with a richer taste, smoother texture, thicker consistency, and sets up beautifully.

This sweet Maple Glaze is good enough to be a stand-alone recipe but it’s also good enough that you’re going to want to pair it with a multitude of fall bakes. I’m confident it will become one of your new favorite glazes, I know it’s one of mine!

Gluten Free Apple Cake will be the newest recipe to get a maple glaze bath so make sure you subscribe to the newsletter to get the first bite when that recipe goes live!

Enjoy!

maple glaze in a white bowl with a gold rim with a white and blue spoon in it

Maple Glaze Ingredients

Powdered Sugar – also known as confectioner’s sugar

Salted Butter – unsalted will work fine if you don’t have salted butter. If you use unsalted butter, add a pinch of salt when mixing to help balance the sweetness and flavors.

Pure Maple Syrup – Real maple syrup has the best flavor and you just can’t replicate it with pancake syrup. Use the good stuff and your glaze will be top-notch.

Maple Extract – or pure vanilla extract. Do not use imitation vanilla here.

*Be sure to read the full recipe card below for exact measurements and step-by-step instructions.

overhead shot of the 4 ingredients in individual bowls to make maple glaze

Substitutions and Alternative Ingredients

Extract – The pure maple syrup adds a hint of maple without being overpowering. I you want stronger maple flavors, sub maple extract for the vanilla extract.

Vegan Option – to make a dairy-free and vegan glaze, use vegan butter or plant-based butter in place of regular butter. My favorite vegan butter is Miyoko’s Cultured Vegan Butter.

Equipment Needed to Make Maple Glaze

This recipe calls for basic kitchen equipment. You’ll need:

Small Saucepan
Measuring Cups
Measuring Spoons
Small Whisk
Mini Spatula – my favorite is this mini supoon. It’s one of the most used utensils in my kitchen!

A small milk pan is the perfect size saucepan. They’re usually 1 quart or smaller and have a convenient pour spout.

How to Make Maple Glaze

Gather Your Equipment

First, you’ll need a few kitchen tools to make this recipe – measuring cups, measuring spoons, a mixing spoon, and a small bowl that’s microwavable.

If you want to start with lump-free powdered sugar, you can use a fine mesh strainer to sift the sugar. Or if you’re feeling like taking a shortcut, you can just press the lumps out with the spoon during the mixing stage.

Melt and Mix

To make the glaze, add the butter and maple syrup to a small saucepan and heat on medium-low heat until the butter is melted.

Remove from the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar and extract. Stir until the glaze is smooth and drizzles nicely off the spoon.

Pour and Set

Pour or drizzle the glaze over baked goods. You can also dip doughnuts, muffins, and cupcakes into the glaze if you prefer.

Let the glaze set at least 15 minutes before serving so it can cool. The glaze will form a bit of a crust on top as it sits but whisk before using and it’ll dissolve right back into the glaze.

pure maple syrup with two tablespoons of solid butter in a small white saucepan with a aqua blue handle to make maple glaze

melted butter and pure maple syrup in a small white saucepan with a aqua blue handle to make maple glaze

Serving Suggestions

Maple Glaze is fantastic on top of Coffee Cake. It’s also exceptional on Blueberry Muffins, Apple Cake, Pumpkin Bread, Yellow Cake Donuts to make Maple Donuts, Cinnamon Rolls, and scones.

You could even use this glaze on top of sugar cookies or shortbread cookies to make simple maple cookies.

As mentioned earlier, this glaze was served on top of Gluten Free Apple Cake, which was an outstanding flavor combination. (linked above)

maple glaze being drizzled on a slice of gluten free sour cream coffee cake

Helpful Tips for Making Homemade Glaze

Do not bring the butter/maple syrup to a boil. You just want the butter to melt, not heat the syrup up so much that it starts to cook and crystalize when it cools.
Add spices to add additional flavor to the glaze. A little bit of Pumpkin Pie Spice, cinnamon, nutmeg, a pinch of ground cloves, or even Apple Pie Spice are all great options. Just stir the spices into the powdered sugar before whisking into the wet ingredients.
Sift the powdered sugar before making the maple syrup glaze. This will help reduce lumps and cut down on your whisking time.
When drizzling, place your baked goods on top of a wire rack with parchment paper underneath. The extra glaze will drip down instead of pooling at the bottom of the baked goods.
To make the glaze thinner, add a teaspoon of milk or heavy cream until it reaches your desired consistency. To thicken, add additional powdered sugar.
This recipe can also be made in the microwave. Just melt the butter with the maple syrup in a microwave safe bowl until the butter is complete melted. Then prepare the glaze as directed in the next steps.

Storage and Make Ahead Directions

For best results, serve this glaze the day of. However, you can make a glaze a day or two in advance.

Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight. Re-heat for 30-60 seconds in the microwave before using and whisk until smooth.

Leftover glaze can also be stored this way.

close up of a gluten free apple bundt cake topped with maple glaze. — Gluten Free Apple Cake with Maple Glaze

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Easy Maple Glaze Recipe (Maple Icing)

5 from 2 ratings

This simple recipe for Maple Glaze is an easy 5 minute recipe. It calls for just a few ingredients and is perfect for baked goods and desserts.

Prep Time: 2

Cook Time: 3

Total Time: 5

Servings: 10

By: Sharon Lachendro

Print Rate Pin

Ingredients

2 tablespoons Salted Butter
⅓ cup Pure Maple Syrup
1 cup Powdered Sugar
¼ teaspoon Maple Extract

Instructions

Add the butter and maple syrup to a small saucepan and heat on medium-low heat until the butter is melted.
Remove from the heat and whisk in the powdered sugar and extract until smooth and no lumps remain.
Stir until the glaze is smooth and drizzles nicely off the spoon.
Let the glaze set at least 15 minutes before serving so it can cool. The glaze will form a bit of a crust on top as it sits but whisk before using and it’ll dissolve right back into the glaze.
Pour or drizzle the glaze over baked goods or dip doughnuts, muffins, and cupcakes into the glaze.