With just four ingredients you can create this delectable Caramel Icing Glaze that’s great for topping cakes, donuts and desserts.
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.
How To Make Caramel Glaze
Melt the butter and sugar together over medium heat.
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,
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.
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.
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:
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Let’s Make Caramel Icing Glaze
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 + Notes
- 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!
Nutrition Information:
Wendy Marten says
I was worried that the recipe might be too complicated, but the tips you included and step-by-step instructions made it easy to follow. It turned out great!
Erren Hart says
Thank you for leaving a comment about this recipe. Your feedback is appreciated, and I’m glad to hear that you enjoyed it. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for future recipes. Thanks again for trying it out and sharing your thoughts!
Lisa Roberts says
Will this harden and slice clean? Looking to pour over banana sheet cake but live in tropics and need something that will have a dry finish. Looks great! Thanks!
Erren Hart says
Hi Lisa, I’m sorry, it won’t harden.
Lyn says
This was really easy AND delicious! I will be making this one a lot!!!
Erren Hart says
Thanks, Lyn! I’m happy to hear that you enjoyed the recipe and found it easy to make. Don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any questions. Happy baking!
Jane says
The last time I made a glaze, I made a mess and it ended up in the trash, but this recipe was so much easier! The fam loved it ❤️
Erren Hart says
Thank you for trying our recipe! We’re so glad you enjoyed it! We appreciate you taking the time to share your experience and leaving a review!
Costan Lundy says
A great quick caramel sauce for cake. I only used 1 stick of butter and the sauce was fine. The cake was so rich I cut back on the butter and it still tasted great.
Erren Hart says
Hi Costan, Thank you for trying our recipe and for taking the time to leave a review. We’re glad you enjoyed it!
Tamela says
I used to love watching my Big Mama make this glaze icing, she was an Awesome cook..These recipe is really similar to hers it’s really easy you just got to stir and not let it burn lol..And it’ll be Delicious..Thanks for Sharing..
Erren Hart says
Hi Tamela, I’m so glad the recipe was so similar and I could help you bring back some fond memories! Thanks so much for letting me know!
Dwight Cimino says
Thanks Erren . . . made some cinnimon rolls . . . wanted carmel icing for them . . . found this recipe . . . sure tastes good so far . . .
Erren Hart says
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review. We’re so glad you enjoyed your experience and hope you’ll come back to try more recipes!
Rene’ Odell says
Going forward, this is my caramel recipe! So easy and soooo delicious!!! Thank you for sharing it!
Erren Hart says
I’m so glad to hear it! Thank you for trying out this recipe and for leaving such a positive review. I’m glad you enjoyed it and hope you’ll come back again soon!
Nicolette says
Perfect glaze to use atop your Apple Cake! just what I was looking for
Erren Hart says
So great to hear and thank you for taking the time to comment! 🙂
Alexa says
I made this with your brown sugar cake. Just the best!@
Erren's Kitchen says
Glad you like it Alexa, it certainly is the icing on the cake!
Lynne Lewis says
I make this with your brown sugar cake all the time – it’s AMAZING!
Erren Hart says
How great! I’m happy to hear it! 🙂