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    Easy Maple Glaze (for donuts, scones, cakes and more!) Recipe Index

    Easy Maple Glaze (for donuts, scones, cakes and more!)

    Published: Sep 28, 2022 · Modified: Oct 7, 2022 by Nicki Sizemore · This post may contain affiliate links

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    A hand dipping a donut into maple glaze.

    This creamy maple glaze couldn’t be easier to make and comes together in just minutes. Use it to make maple glazed donuts, or drizzle it over scones, muffins, cakes and more!

    Maple glaze scoop with a spoon.

    I originally developed this glaze for my baked maple donuts recipe but soon began using it on other baked goods, such as scones, muffins, and cakes. The glaze has a delicious maple flavor and hardens as it sits, forming a crunchy, sweet crust that’s completely irresistible

    Donuts with maple glaze.

    Ingredients:

    • Powdered sugar: This is a simple powdered sugar glaze—no butter or corn syrup needed.
    • Maple syrup: Be sure to use pure maple syrup. I prefer a dark maple syrup, which has a more robust flavor than lighter colored syrups. 
    • Maple extract: The secret ingredient in this glaze is maple extract, which you can buy at well stocked supermarkets or online. It boosts the maple flavor without making the glaze overly sweet. However, you can use vanilla extract instead, although the maple flavor won’t be as pronounced. 
    • Milk: Milk thins out the glaze, making it pourable. It also allows the glaze to harden once cooled. 
    • Salt: A pinch of salt balances all the flavors.
    Ingredients shot with labels.

    How to make this maple donut glaze recipe:

    • In a small bowl, whisk together all of the ingredients until smooth. The consistency should be thick but pourable. If needed, you can add more milk for a thinner glaze. 
    Maple glaze ingredients in a bowl.

    Maple icing

    If you prefer to make a spreadable maple icing instead of a thinner glaze, cut back on the milk, starting with 1 tablespoon. Add more milk, drop by drop, until you get the consistency you desire. 

    Serving suggestions

    Dunk donuts in the glaze to make maple glazed donuts. Or, drizzle the glaze over scones, muffins, poundcake or even banana bread (so good!). The glaze will harden as it sits. 

    Donut dip in the maple glaze bowl.

    Recipe tips:

    • The secret ingredient in this glaze is maple extract, which you can buy at well stocked supermarkets or online. It boosts the maple flavor without making the glaze overly sweet. However, you can use vanilla extract instead, although the maple flavor won’t be as pronounced.
    • If you prefer to make a spreadable maple donut icing instead of a thinner glaze, cut back on the milk, starting with 1 tablespoon (add more bit by bit, as needed). 
    • Try this glaze on pumpkin poundcake, gingerbread and carrot cake muffins!

    *This post contains Amazon and other affiliate links to products I use and love (from which I earn income, at no cost to you). Thank you or supporting From Scratch Fast!

    Donut coated with maple glaze.

    FAQs

    What is maple glaze made of for donuts?

    This maple donut glaze recipe is made of just powdered sugar, maple syrup, maple extract, milk and a pinch of salt. The maple extract boosts the maple flavor without making the glaze overly sweet. 

    How do you make maple donuts?

    To make maple donuts, dunk cooled donuts in the maple glaze. Let the donuts sit at room temperature until the glaze is hardened.  

    How do you store maple glaze?

    This glaze should be used right after it’s made, as it will harden as it sits.

    Maple Glazed donuts on a plate.

    Glazed donuts VIDEO!

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    Stay connected

    I'd love to answer any of your questions and see what you're cooking!! Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment below. Follow along on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube & Pinterest, and be sure to tag @fromscratchfast so that I can share your creations!

    Get the recipe

    Donut dipped in the maple icing
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe

    Maple Glaze

    This easy maple syrup glaze recipe is delicious on these baked donuts, as well as on cakes, muffins, scones and more! The secret ingredient in the glaze is maple extract, which you can buy at well stocked supermarkets or online. It boosts the maple flavor without making the glaze cloyingly sweet. However, you can use vanilla extract instead for a milder flavor (it will taste more like a vanilla glaze).
    Prep Time5 minutes mins
    Total Time5 minutes mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Keyword: maple donut glaze, maple glaze, maple glazed donuts
    Servings: 0.5 cup
    Author: Nicki Sizemore

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar
    • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
    • 1 ½ - 2 tablespoons milk
    • ¼ teaspoon maple extract
    • Pinch salt

    Instructions

    • In a medium bowl, combine the powdered sugar, 1 ½ tablespoons of the milk, maple syrup, maple extract and salt. Stir until smooth. For a slightly thinner glaze, stir in another ½ tablespoon of milk.
    • To make maple glazed donuts, dunk the top of the donuts in the glaze, then transfer them to a wire rack and let them sit until hardened. (If the glaze is a bit too thin, you can glaze them twice—let the first coat harden then dunk the donuts again).

    Notes

    Tips:
    • The secret ingredient in this glaze is maple extract, which you can buy at well stocked supermarkets or online. It boosts the maple flavor without making the glaze overly sweet (if you add too much syrup the glaze turns cloyingly sweet). However, you can use vanilla extract instead, although the maple flavor won’t be as pronounced.
    • If you prefer to make a spreadable maple donut icing instead of a thinner glaze, cut back on the milk, starting with 1 tablespoon (add more bit by bit, as needed). 
    • Try this glaze on pumpkin poundcake, gingerbread and carrot cake muffins!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Joanna says

      September 24, 2023 at 10:38 pm

      5 stars
      Does this need to be refrigerated?

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        September 25, 2023 at 8:50 am

        Hi there! The glaze should not be refrigerated before using, as it will harden. If you use the glaze on baked goods (such as donuts) you can store them at room temperature or in the fridge, according to your preference. I hope you enjoy!

        Reply
    2. Bonita says

      September 18, 2023 at 2:28 am

      5 stars
      Twice monthly, I contribute baked goods to meals for the needy through People Helping People. All told, I bake 425 +/- cookies mainly, but have plans for muffins and other "finger treats" easy to make in large volume.

      Recently I made Buttermilk Cookies [Tom's Tinkering and Adventures], a delight on their own. I used a thick layer of your [thickened] Maple Glaze as the topper on each cookie and embellished with a generous sprinkle of turbinado sugar for sparkle and crunch...two cookies per serving.

      Normally, during distribution our patrons accept their meals gratefully and quietly. On this day, a sweet elderly man returned with compliments, that he had not eaten better cookies in many decades, in his words, since his childhood. We were so thrilled to hear that our meals not only satisfied hunger, but warmed hearts and sparked fond memories.

      Thanks a million for offering your fine [and versatile] Maple Glaze recipe for others to use and enjoy. The frosting performed beautifully, fast forming a lovely crust, although remaining creamy, allowing me to pack the cookies, two by two, in snack bags and stack in boxes for transport, without smearing.

      I will be happily using your Maple Glaze recipe on future baked goods for this endeavor which is so important a service to others and so dearly fulfilling to me personally. Thank you again and blessings for you.

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        September 18, 2023 at 8:35 am

        This comment brought tears to my eyes. Thank you so much for sharing and for all you do. You are an inspiration!

        Reply
    3. Cameron says

      May 08, 2023 at 1:35 am

      5 stars
      Made this yesterday cause I was really, REALLY craving a maple donut. Now that I know about this recipe, namely the maple frosting, I'm very excited to try it on other pastries!

      Reply
      • Nicki Sizemore says

        May 08, 2023 at 9:06 am

        I’m so happy you enjoyed!

        Reply

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    Welcome! I’m Nicki Sizemore, a trained chef, recipe developer and cookbook author. My mission is to help you make wholesome & delicious food from scratch without spending hours in the kitchen. All of my recipes are naturally gluten-free.

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    A hand dipping a donut into maple glaze.