Last Updated on December 21, 2022
Glazes are one of my favorite parts about baking and I love learning new techniques, like this easy brown sugar glaze for cakes that I use on top of my spice cake. I think this glaze brings a balance in flavor and really brings out the spiciness. You can also use it on top of cinnamon rolls, for example, I think it would complement them very nicely. It is also really easy to make!
Making the Best Brown Sugar Glaze for Cakes
This recipe will yield enough glaze to cover a cake made in a 9-inch pan generously. You can always store it in the fridge for two days and use it over other things, like pancakes or toast. It is absolutely delicious and will not take very long to make at all!
Ingredients
- 6 Tbs of unsalted butter
- 2 Tps of heavy cream
- 1/2 cup of packed light-brown sugar
- 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp of salt
How to Make Brown Sugar Glaze
Step 1
Place butter and sugar in a medium saucepan and put it over low heat.
Step 2
Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Step 3
Add cream, vanilla, and salt. Now you need to bring it to a boil.
Step 4
Remove it from the flame and set it aside to cool. This will thicken it up and it will turn into syrup.
Step 5
Use it immediately. If you plan to store it, place it in a sealed container in the fridge once it is cool and use it in less than 2 days. If it has turned too thick and is unpourable, you will need to heat it again to be able to use it. Heat it in the microwave in 30-second intervals mixing every time to avoid burning.
Flavoring Your Brown Sugar Glaze
Although brown sugar has a spicy taste that is very distinguishable, it can work well with other add-ins. Here are some of my favorites: coffee, brandy, apple cider, other spices, orange or lemon zest, etc.
The liquids on this list would be used instead of the heavy cream. To achieve the same thick glaze, though, you will need to reduce it further down. That means leaving it a little while longer to simmer. Make sure to keep an eye on it as we do not want our sugar to burn! That would ruin the whole lot.
On the other hand, citrus zest or spices -I love adding some cinnamon, clove, mace, ginger, and even pumpkin spice blend- will not have the same effect. As they are not liquid, they will not change the ratio or consistency of your glaze. You can just add these to the mix when you would put the salt into the saucepan and you are good to go.
Easy Brown Sugar Glaze for Cakes
Ingredients
- 6 Tbs of unsalted butter
- 2 Tps of heavy cream
- 1/2 cup of packed light-brown sugar
- 1 tsp of pure vanilla extract
- 1/2 tsp of salt
Instructions
- Place butter and sugar in a medium saucepan and put it over low heat.
- Stir until sugar is completely dissolved.
- Add cream, vanilla, and salt. Now you need to bring it to a boil.
- Remove it from the flame and set aside to cool. This will thicken it up and it will turn into a syrup.
- Use it immediately. If you plan to store it, place it in a sealed container in the fridge once it is cool and use in less than 2 days. If it has turned too thick and is unpourable, you will need to heat it up again to be able to use it. Heat it up in the microwave in 30-second intervals mixing every time to avoid burning.
Notes
The liquids on this list would be used instead of the heavy cream. To achieve the same thick glaze, though, you will need to reduce it further down. That means leaving it a little while longer to simmer. Make sure to keep an eye on it as we do not want our sugar to burn! That would ruin the whole lot.
On the other hand, citrus zest or spices -I love adding some cinnamon, clove, mace, ginger, and even pumpkin spice blend- will not have the same effect. As they are not liquid, they will not change the ratio or consistency of your glaze. You can just add these to the mix when you would put the salt into the saucepan and you are good to go.
How Do You Make Brown Sugar Icing Not Gritty?
To make brown sugar icing not gritty, you need to make sure that the sugar has completely dissolved. If there are any lumps or granules of sugar while melting it with the butter this will cause a grainy texture. This gritty texture will prevent your frosting from being smooth.
To help prevent your brown sugar icing from being gritty, make sure to use a whisk to get rid of any lumps while melting the butter and sugar together. You will want to whisk the icing frequently to ensure you get the desired smooth texture in your icing.
If the frosting is still grainy, keep it on the heat for longer and keep mixing it. You may have to mix constantly with your whisk when heating the butter and brown sugar together.
Will Brown Sugar Thicken a Sauce?
Brown sugar can be used to thicken sauces. In addition, it is a great way to add some sweetness to your dish as well. Brown sugar is a versatile ingredient you can use in many different recipes, both sweet and savory.
You can use brown sugar to thicken barbecue sauces, teriyaki sauces, and more. It is great at thickening up sauces while also enhancing the flavor of your sauce. Though brown sugar is a great addition to several different types of sauces, be careful not to add too much as it can add too much sweetness and increase the calories in the sauce.
Is Brown Sugar Glaze Gluten-Free?
Most brown sugar glazes are gluten-free. A typically brown sugar glaze will contain ingredients such as brown sugar, honey, water, and spices. Fortunately, brown sugar is naturally gluten-free.
Since brown sugar glazes can vary, it is important to read the ingredients to ensure that they are all gluten-free. Brown sugar glaze is typically used on hams, but you can also use it for other dishes as well such as roasted carrots, salmon, pork, roasted vegetables, kabobs, and more.
How Do You Make a Glaze Without Brown Sugar?
Instead of brown sugar, you can use powdered sugar for your glaze. Powdered sugar will give your glaze a wonderful flavor and texture.
There are several variations of glazes you can make with powdered sugar including maple glaze, vanilla glaze, lemon glaze, orange glaze, and more. These different types of glazes are great for different types of desserts such as donuts, cookies, pound cakes, muffins, and more.
Store any leftover glaze in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. When ready to use, let your glaze come to room temperature and use a fork to whip it before adding it to your desserts. You can also soften it by putting it in the microwave for a few seconds.
You can also use granulated sugar in place of brown sugar when making a glaze. However, you do have to be careful to ensure that the granulated sugar fully melts with your butter. Granulated sugar can make a gritty glaze if you are not careful to fully dissolve it in the butter, which can be tricky to do, so powdered sugar is often your best bet.
Conclusion
Glazes are an amazing way to finish up, decorate, and give an extra flavor punch to any baked good. I love this particular glaze on top of my spice cake but also on regular vanilla cupcakes, for example. I think the spiciness brings extra warmth and makes them even more delicious. Will you try them? Tell us below!
Karen is a passionate pastry chef who loves to create delicious baked goods. She has been in the culinary arts for over 10 years, honing her skills and perfecting her craft. Karen is known for her creativity and attention to detail, creating unique desserts that bring a smile to everyone’s face. She is always looking for ways to challenge herself and come up with new recipes that are both tasty and visually appealing. Karen loves to experiment with different flavors and textures, and she is committed to providing the highest quality of products to her customers.