This easy glace icing recipe creates smooth, glossy glace icing that's rich and spreadable, making it the very best topping for biscuits, cookies, sponge cakes and finger buns.
This quick and easy icing for biscuits and cookies also sets with a subtle, smooth sheen, making it an ideal edible ‘glue’ for decorating your baking creations.
We love using Silver Spoon Icing Sugar for a glossy, lump-free glace icing recipe that works every time. Using just water and icing sugar, this simple cupcake icing recipe is perfect for drizzling on cupcakes or dolloping on sprinkle sponge cake.
Why Use Our Recipe for Glace Icing?
⭐Ready in minutes
⭐Can be made ahead of time and stored in the fridge
Sift the icing sugar into a bowl and add a tiny amount of the warm water, then stir. Keep adding drops of the water gradually and stirring in between until the icing becomes thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.
Ingredients for this step
125gSilver Spoon Icing Sugar
15mlWarm water
Step 2
If necessary, add more water (a drop at a time) to make the icing runnier. If the icing becomes too watery, add an additional spoonful of icing sugar to thicken the mixture. If you want to colour your icing, use a tooth pick and food colouring gel. Mix in the gel in small amounts until you get your desired colours.
Ingredients for this step
Food Colouring Gel (Optional)
Top Tips
If your glace icing is too thick, add liquid (water, juice, or milk) a little at a time to thin it out. If it's too thin, add more icing sugar to thicken it. Remember to stir gently and test the consistency before adding more.
If you're looking to "flood ice" a biscuit to bring it to life, watch our video demonstration by Juliet Sear.
Glacé icing is a simple, smooth, and glossy icing made by mixing icing sugar with a small amount of water or milk. It's typically used to coat biscuits, fairy cakes, as a drizzle over other baked goods or as an edible 'glue'. The icing sets with a subtle, glossy sheen, making it easy to work with and decorate.
What is the difference between royal icing and glacé icing?
Royal icing and glacé icing differ primarily in their ingredients and resulting textures. Royal icing is a thicker, stiffer icing made with egg whites and powdered sugar that can be piped. It dries hard with a smooth surface and is often used to create ornate cookie decorations. Glacé icing is a thinner, glossier icing made with powdered sugar and a liquid like water, milk or juices. It can be applied thickly like a syrup (use less liquid if this is the result you want) or as a drizzle (simply add more water), the icing then sets with a subtle, smooth sheen.
Does glacé icing harden?
Yes, glacé icing does harden when it dries with a subtle smooth sheen. It's designed to set hard, making it a popular choice for decorating biscuits and cakes, and even as an edible glue.
Which bakes can I decorate with glace icing?
Glace icing is a simple way to add decoration to your bakes - it’s usually drizzled over cakes, cookies, and pastries to add a sweet, shiny coating. It also works beautifully on cinnamon rolls, scones, fruit tarts, and even doughnuts. Glace icing can also be used to decorate gingerbread houses or to create intricate designs on sugar cookies. We love it on a lemon drizzle cake!
What can I use icing sugar for apart from icing?
Icing sugar, also known as powdered sugar or confectioner's sugar, is a versatile ingredient used for sweetening and decorating bakes. However, it has several other uses:
Sweetening: Sift icing sugar over cakes, cookies, and doughnuts for a sweet dusting and a professional-looking finish.
Decorating: Use icing sugar to make royal icing for decorating cookies, cakes, and gingerbread houses. Mix it with egg whites and flavourings for a smooth, pipeable icing that hardens when dry.
Thickening: Use icing sugar to thicken fruit fillings for pies and tarts. You can also sprinkle freshly-cut fruits, such as berries, with icing sugar to soak up any moisture.
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I’m not a good baker but these muffins came out absolutely delicious. So soft and fluffy!
