How to make an easy cream cheese glaze for bundt cakes and other pastries!
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There's something incredibly satisfying about bringing a homemade treat to the table, crafted entirely by your own hands. In my kitchen, the journey from a cake's tender crumb to its luscious Cream Cheese Filling for Bundt Cakes (and other pastries), all the way through to the icing and delightful toppings, is a labor of love I cherish deeply. Whenever time allows, I dive into the process of creating each element from scratch, reveling in the joy it brings not just to me, but to everyone who gets a slice.
But let's be real for a moment—life often has other plans, and those luxurious baking days can sometimes feel like a distant dream. Amidst the whirlwind of daily commitments, finding hours to devote to baking from scratch is a luxury few of us can afford regularly. Yet, the craving for that homemade warmth and taste doesn't dim. For those moments, my Store-bought Buttercream Frosting Hacks can save the day, offering quick solutions that maintain the essence of homemade.
That's where a little kitchen magic comes in handy. Over the years, I've gathered a treasure trove of tips and tricks to infuse store-bought ingredients with a dash of homemade charm, saving time without sacrificing flair. From a quick Cake Syrup to enhance moisture to a decadent Chocolate Ganache, these shortcuts keep the spirit of homemade alive, even on the busiest of days.
Enter the hero of my baking adventures: the quick and easy Cream Cheese Glaze, a versatile darling that graces Bundt cakes and pastries alike with its sweet yet tangy embrace. This glaze is my go-to when time is of the essence, proving that you can keep your creations utterly homemade—even when the clock is ticking. Whether you're drizzling it over an Easy Bundt Cake or pairing it with Homemade Whipped Cream, let me show you how this delightful concoction comes together, ensuring your desserts wear their homemade badge proudly, no matter the rush.
To make an easy cream cheese cake glaze all you need is: cream cheese, milk, vanilla extract, powdered sugar, a hand mixer, and a mixing bowl. Just combine all the ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat them together with the hand mixer until runny and smooth. If the glaze is not runny, add 1 teaspoon of milk at a time until the desired consistency is reached.
Easy Equipment
First, let me go over the simple baking equipment I use to make this delectable cake glaze. I don’t need much at all for this simple recipe, just a few common baking utensils. Here are the tools I use to make easy cream cheese cake glaze:
Bundt Cakes
- Lemon Blueberry Bundt Cake – Bright, Moist, and Full of Flavor
- Funfetti Bundt Cake with Vanilla Glaze and Rainbow Sprinkles
- Red Velvet Bundt Cake Recipe with Heart-Shaped Chocolate Topping
- Easy Lemon Glaze for Cookies and Bundt Cake
- Powdered Sugar Dusting for Bundt Cakes – Simple and Elegant
- Bundt Cake Baking Tools and Equipment
Creamy Ingredients
Now let me break down my short and simple ingredient list. Nothing fancy or complicated here either, just some common baking ingredients. These are the ingredients I use to make simple cream cheese glaze:
- 8 oz cream cheese - 1 package, room temperature. Opt for 8 oz of low-fat or non-fat cream cheese, at room temperature. This adjustment significantly reduces the glaze's overall fat content without compromising the creamy texture and tangy flavor essential to the perfect cream cheese glaze.
- 4 tablespoon Whole Milk Swap the 4 tablespoon of whole milk for almond milk, oat milk, or another plant-based milk of your choosing. These milk alternatives are not only lower in calories and fat but also introduce a delightful subtle nutty or sweet undertone that enhances the glaze's flavor profile.
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract Stick with the ½ teaspoon of vanilla extract; it's already the perfect choice for adding that rich flavor depth without additional sugar or fat.
- 2 cups powdered sugar Consider using 2 cups of powdered erythritol or monk fruit sweetener as a healthier substitute for traditional powdered sugar. These natural, low-calorie sweeteners are excellent for keeping the sweetness we crave in our glaze, minus the unwanted blood sugar spikes.
How to Make Cream Cheese Glaze for Bundt Cakes and Other Pastries
Now let’s move on to making the magic happen. This cake glaze process is super quick and easy so let’s get right into it! Here’s how I make easy cream cheese glaze:
- First, measure out the glaze ingredients with the measuring cup and spoons.
- Then, combine the softened cream cheese, milk, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar in a large glass mixing bowl.
- Beat all of the ingredients together using a hand mixer.
- The cream cheese glaze should be runny. If not, add and mix in 1 tsp. of milk at a time until a runny consistency is reached.
Glaze Tips
- All baked goods need to be completely cool before pouring glaze on them. If you try to glaze pastries that are still warm the glaze will not stick, it will only slide off the pastry.
- If you need to thicken the glaze just add a little more powdered sugar until it reaches the desired consistency.
- To thin the glaze, just add a little bit more milk.
- After pouring the glaze on baked goods, allow them to sit until the glaze forms a thin crust layer. This can take up to 2 hours at room temperature.
- Allow glazed sweets to dry completely before wrapping in plastic wrap and store them in a cool, dark place.
Storing Cream Cheese Glaze
Once you let the glaze form a thin crust layer on the bundt cake or other pastry, the glaze will stay good for the life of that pastry. However, since it is milk-based, the glaze needs to remain refrigerated on its own.
To store leftover cream cheese glaze: pour leftover glaze into an airtight container, label it, and store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Before using the glaze again, remove it from the refrigerator and bring it to room temperature.
Sweet and Satisfying Recipes
Want to be ready for any baking creation that may arise? Then you’ve come to the right place! Check out more of my favorite cake toppers, glazes, icings, and frostings so you can be ready for any baking adventure that comes your way!
This cream cheese glaze is perfect for:
- Cookies
- Coffee cake
- Muffins
- Cinnamon rolls
- Turnover pies (hand pies)
- Doughnuts
- Any other homemade pastries
Need a little “umph” for your homemade cakes? Check these out:
- Cream Cheese Filling for Bundt Cakes (and other pastries)
- Cake Syrup
- Homemade Buttercream Frosting
- Cream Cheese Frosting
- Caramel Glaze
- Chocolate Glaze for Bundt Cakes
- Homemade Whipped Cream
- Meringue Frosting
- Homemade Strawberry Buttercream Frosting
- Chocolate Ganache
- White Chocolate Ganache
- Toffee Glaze
- Easy Bundt Cake Glaze
- Easy Bundt Cake Frosting
- Store-bought Buttercream Frosting Hacks
- Eggnog Frosting
Cream Cheese Glaze for Bundt Cake
Video
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese 1 package, room temperature
- 4 tablespoon Whole Milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 cups powdered sugar
Instructions
- First, measure out the glaze ingredients with the measuring cup and spoons.
- Then, combine the softened cream cheese, milk, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar in a large glass mixing bowl.
- Beat all of the ingredients together using a hand mixer.
- The cream cheese glaze should be runny. If not, add and mix in 1 tsp. of milk at a time until a runny consistency is reached.
Notes
- All baked goods need to be completely cool before pouring glaze on them. If you try to glaze pastries that are still warm the glaze will not stick, it will only slide off the pastry.
- If you need to thicken the glaze just add a little more powdered sugar until it reaches the desired consistency.
- To thin the glaze, just add a little bit more milk.
- After pouring the glaze on baked goods, allow them to sit until the glaze forms a thin crust layer. This can take up to 2 hours at room temperature.
- Allow glazed sweets to dry completely before wrapping in plastic wrap and store them in a cool, dark place.
Nutrition
Food Photography & Video Tips from My Studio
Here’s a peek at the tools, gear, and camera setups I use to film my recipe videos and photograph food at home. Over the years, I’ve tested dozens of different setups, and now I’m sharing what actually works for me—whether I’m filming overhead shots for YouTube or styling still photos for my blog. If you’re curious about how I create the content you see here, these posts are a great place to start.
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