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Home / Icing & Frosting

Caramel Icing Glaze

This delicious buttery caramel icing glaze is the perfect topping for cakes, donuts or any dessert! Simple to make too!

Erren Hart

|

last Updated:

10/08/2021
5 from 35 votes
Jump to Recipe
Serves: 12
Prep: 5 minutes mins
Cook: 7 minutes mins
caramel being poured onto a cake
A creamy, buttery caramel icing glaze being drizzled onto a bundt cake with a spoon.
caramel being poured onto a cake
a spoon adding caramel glaze to a cake

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With just four ingredients you can create this delectable Caramel Icing Glaze that’s great for topping cakes, donuts and desserts.

a spoon adding caramel glaze to a cake
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Sticky, buttery, and oh-so-delicious, this caramel glaze is super easy to make. With just four ingredients, you can take a simple dessert to a whole new level! This caramel glaze is amazing with anything from an apple pie, vanilla ice cream or it makes a wonderful topping for Brown Sugar Cake.

Why This Recipe Works

  • Using mainly brown sugar with just a little granulated sugar offers superior flavor and deep, rich color.
  • Butter gives the glaze richness and a silky smooth finish.
  • Flavoring with vanilla adds an extra depth of flavor.

What You’ll Need

Overhead shot of ingredients for a caramel icing glaze on a white marble surface. Labeled: butter (sliced in a dish), brown sugar (in a bowl), milk (in a small jug), vanilla (in a glass container), and salt (in a small bowl).
  • Butter (1 ½ sticks or ¾ cup): Use unsalted butter to control the salt level in the glaze.

Substitutions: To make this dairy-free, you can use margarine or a plant-based butter substitute. Make sure it’s one meant for baking to get the right texture.

  • Light Brown Sugar (1 cup, packed)

Substitutions: Light brown sugar is recommended, but dark brown sugar can be used for a deeper caramel flavor.

  • Milk (½ cup): Whole milk works best for this recipe

Substitutions: For a dairy-free version, you can swap this with almond milk, soy milk, or oat milk. Use unsweetened versions to keep the sweetness balanced.

  • Vanilla Extract (2 teaspoons): Pure vanilla extract has the best flavor.

Substitutions: If you don’t have vanilla extract, use vanilla paste or the seeds from a vanilla bean for a more intense flavor.

How To Make Caramel Glaze

Melt the butter and sugar together over medium heat.

sugar and butter cooking in a pan

Once melted, cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute.

Be sure the butter and sugar are completely combined and you can’t see any separated butter in the mixture

Bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add the milk and vanilla and continue cooking for another 3 minutes,

butter and sugar melted together in a pan

Remove from heat and set aside to cool. The longer it cools, the thicker it becomes.

If the mixture looks like it’s separating during the cooling process, mix well until it comes back together.

When it’s at your desired consistency, drizzle over the cooled cake and serve.

caramel glaze being pored onto a cake with a spoon

This recipe is perfect for glazing 12 muffins, donuts, buns, or a bundt cake. It can easily be doubled or tripled for a larger batch.

Storage & Freezing Instructions ❄

  • Room Temperature Storage: If you plan to use the caramel glaze within a day or two, you can store it in an airtight container at room temperature. Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Before using, you may need to stir it or gently reheat it to restore its smooth texture.
  • Refrigerator Storage: For more extended storage, refrigerate the caramel icing in an airtight container. It will keep well for up to one week. When ready to use it, let it come to room temperature or gently reheat it over low heat, stirring constantly to regain its pourable consistency.
  • Freezer Storage: If you want to store the glaze for an extended period, you can freeze it. Place the caramel icing in a freezer-safe, airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Thaw it overnight in the refrigerator when you’re ready to use it. After thawing, reheat it gently over low heat, stirring until smooth.

Reheating Tip:

If the glaze separates during reheating for both refrigerated and frozen storage, mix it well until it comes back together. Be sure to heat it gently to avoid burning.

Other Great Cake Glazes

If you’re looking for the perfect glaze or frosting for your cake, why not check out some of these great recipes:

  • Chocolate Glaze
  • Orange Glaze
  • Cream Cheese Glaze

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a spoon adding caramel glaze to a cake

Recipe

Caramel Icing Glaze

This delicious buttery caramel icing glaze is the perfect topping for cakes, donuts or any dessert! Simple to make too!
5 from 35 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time: 5 minutes mins
Cook Time: 7 minutes mins
Cooling: 20 minutes mins
Total Time: 32 minutes mins
Serves 12

Ingredients

  • 1½ sticks butter (¾ cup)
  • 1 cup brown sugar packed packed
  • ½ cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Instructions

  • Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat.
  • Add the brown sugar to the melted butter and cook, stirring constantly, for 1 minute (be sure the butter and sugar are completely combined and you can’t see any separated butter in the mixture).
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring, for 2 minutes.
  • Add the milk and vanilla. Bring to a boil over medium heat. Continue cooking, stirring, for 3 minutes.
  • Remove from heat and set aside to cool. The longer it cools, the thicker it becomes. When it’s at your desired consistency, drizzle over the cooled cake and serve.

Tips

  • This recipe is perfect for glazing 12 muffins or donuts, buns, or a bundt cake. For a larger batch, recipe can easily be doubled or tripled.
  • Be sure the butter and sugar are completely combined and you can’t see any separated butter in the mixture.
  • If the mixture looks like it’s separating during the cooling process, mix well until it comes back together.
  • When drizzeling cakes or desserts, place baking paper under the cake to catch any glaze that runs off the cake, then use the baking paper to drizzle on whatever remains.  You won’t want to waste a drop!
Show Nutrition Hide Nutrition

Nutrition

Calories: 944 | Carbohydrates: 223g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 125mg | Potassium: 466mg | Sugar: 221g | Vitamin A: 198IU | Calcium: 321mg | Iron: 2mg
Created by Erren Hart
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5 from 35 votes (19 ratings without comment)

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46 responses

  1. Stephanie Avatar
    Stephanie
    02/09/2025

    This recipe is so quick and easy to make even when you are short on time. It is simply delicious. I am in Spain so I used Nata Montar which is heavy cream for whipping and the result is a silky smooth caramel sauce. I poured it over a banana bundt cake. I will use this recipe again and again!

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      02/10/2025

      Thank you so much, Stephanie! So glad you loved it and plan to keep using it! 🥰

      Reply
  2. Musetta Dean Avatar
    Musetta Dean
    01/29/2025

    Love it! I’m a novice baker but like to try new thing’s. My husband always talks about his Louisiana Aunt’s Jam cake. I made the cake yesterday and the caramel glacé recipe is perfect!! It is definitely my go to glaze, I used dark brown sugar and got the deep rich taste I was hoping for. Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      01/30/2025

      That’s so wonderful, Musetta! So happy you loved the recipe. The cake sounds delicious!

      Reply
  3. BRENDA R BLUE Avatar
    BRENDA R BLUE
    01/17/2025

    came out perfect!.Thank you for sharing.

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      01/17/2025

      You’re so welcome! Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for leaving a review! 🥰

      Reply
  4. Annie Troy Avatar
    Annie Troy
    08/10/2024

    There is only one problem with this recipe: trying not to eat too much of it before is got on the cake. I used this glaze for a spiced zucchini cake. It was the perfect topper.

    Reply
    1. Erren's Kitchen Avatar
      Erren’s Kitchen
      08/12/2024

      Sounds like the perfect glaze for that cake!! So happy you loved it!!

      Reply
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