The Ultimate Guide to Homemade Glazes & Dessert Sauces
Easy Mix-and-Match Recipes for Bundt Cakes, Coffee Cakes, Cookies & More
If you’ve ever pulled a beautiful warm cake from the oven and thought, “This needs just a little something extra,” you’re in the right place. A good glaze is the quickest way to elevate any dessert and add shine, sweetness, flavor, and that bakery-quality finish we all love.
Whether you’re topping a classic Bundt cake, drizzling over warm coffee cake, or finishing cookies, scones, breads, or pastries, these simple glaze and sauce recipes come straight from the Nordic Ware Factory Store archives. They’re reliable, versatile, and endlessly customizable.
Below you’ll find classic vanilla glazes, bright citrus options, rich chocolate variations, spiced and seasonal favorites, indulgent boozy glazes, and fruity sauces perfect for holiday bakes.
Table of Contents:
- Why Glazes Make Every Bake Better
- Classic Glazes
- Chocolate & Nutty Glazes
- Caramel, Butterscotch & Creamy Glazes
- Boozy Syrups & Sauces
- Fruit Sauces
- Final Tips for Glazing Success
Why Glazes Make Every Bake Better
Glazes do more than look pretty, they:
- Add moisture and flavor
- Highlight the design of detailed Nordic Ware Bundt pans
- Create a smooth, glossy finish with minimal effort
- Bring balance to rich or spiced baked goods
- Are fast… like five minutes fast
The best part? All of these recipes use pantry staples and can be whisked together in one bowl.
Classic Glazes
Basic Glaze (Vanilla, Rum, or Almond)
Perfect for Bundt cakes, coffee cakes, scones, and cookies.
Ingredients:
-
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tbsp butter, softened
- 1 tsp vanilla, rum, or almond extract
- 2–3 tbsp milk
Mix sugar and butter. Add extract. Stir in milk until smooth.
For thinner drizzle (coffee cakes & breads):
Use half the ingredients and add milk 1 tbsp at a time until pourable.
Citrus Glaze: Orange or Lemon
Bright, fresh, and perfect for spring and holiday bakes.
Ingredients:
-
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tbsp butter, softened
- 2–4 tbsp lemon or orange juice
- 1–2 tsp grated peel
Mix sugar and butter, add juice gradually, then stir in peel.
Spice Glaze
Warm and cozy—ideal for pumpkin, gingerbread, or apple cakes.
Ingredients:
-
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tbsp butter, softened
- ½ tsp pumpkin pie spice OR cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves
- 2–4 tbsp milk
Combine all ingredients and stir to desired consistency.
Chocolate & Nutty Glazes
Chocolate Glaze
Glossy, smooth, and perfect on everything.
Ingredients:
-
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tbsp cocoa powder
- 1 tbsp butter, softened
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 2–4 tbsp milk
Mix dry ingredients, add butter and vanilla, then milk until smooth.
Peanut Butter Glaze
Amazing on chocolate, banana, or peanut butter Bundts.
Ingredients:
-
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2½ tbsp peanut butter
- 2–4 tbsp milk
Whisk until creamy and drizzle-ready.
Brandied Chocolate Glaze
Rich and elegant for special occasions.
Ingredients:
-
- 2 squares semi-sweet chocolate
- 1½ tbsp butter
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tbsp brandy or kirsch
- 1–3 tsp milk
Melt chocolate and butter. Combine with sugar and brandy. Add milk as needed.
Caramel, Butterscotch & Creamy Glazes
Butterscotch Glaze
Perfect for fall cakes.
Ingredients:
-
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ cup brown sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla or rum extract
Boil butter, brown sugar, and milk. Stir in sugar and extract.
Cream Cheese Glaze
Thick, tangy, and decadent.
Ingredients:
-
- 3 oz cream cheese
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1½ cups confectioners’ sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla
- 2–3 tbsp milk
Beat cream cheese and butter, then add remaining ingredients.
Coffee Glaze
A dream topping for mocha cakes or brunch bakes.
Ingredients:
-
- 2 tsp instant coffee
- Scant 3 tbsp hot milk
- 2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 1 tbsp soft butter
Dissolve coffee in milk, then mix with remaining ingredients.
Boozy Syrups & Sauces
Bourbon or Rum Syrup
Great for brushing over warm Bundt cakes to enhance moisture.
Ingredients:
-
- 1 cup sugar
- ½ cup water
- 1 tsp butter
- ½ tsp vanilla
- ½ oz bourbon or rum
Boil sugar and water 5 minutes; add remaining ingredients.
Rich Lemon Glaze (Custard-Style)
Velvety, tart, and luxurious.
Ingredients:
-
- 3 egg yolks
- ⅓ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp lemon peel
- ½ cup whipped cream
Cook yolks, sugar, peel, and juice in double boiler until thick. Cool. Fold in whipped cream.
Rum Sauce
Perfect for warm winter desserts.
Ingredients:
-
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 3 egg yolks
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ⅓ cup rum
Cook in double boiler until slightly thickened.
Fruit Sauces
Cherry Sauce
Bright, sweet, and beautiful on chocolate or vanilla cakes.
Ingredients:
-
- ¾ cup cherry juice
- ½ cup sugar
- 1⅛ tsp cornstarch
- ⅛ tsp salt
- ¼ cup red sour cherries
- 1 tbsp butter
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Cook juice, sugar, salt, and cornstarch. Add remaining ingredients.
Blueberry Sauce
Fresh and buttery.
Ingredients:
-
- ⅔ cup sugar
- 2 cups blueberries
- ¼ cup butter
- ¼ tsp nutmeg
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Cook all but lemon juice 5 minutes; add juice and serve warm.
Ruby Cranberry Sauce
Tart, glossy, and stunning. Ideal for holiday Bundts.
Ingredients:
-
- 2 cups cranberry juice
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Cook until bubbly and thickened.
Final Tips for Glazing Success
- Use a thin glaze to highlight intricate Bundt designs
- Place cakes on a cooling grid over a sheet pan before glazing for easy cleanup
- Add more milk for a thinner drizzle, more powdered or confectioner’s sugar for a thicker consistency
- For ultimate control, spoon glaze slowly so it naturally follows the cake’s curves
Ready to put your glaze skills to delicious use? Explore all of Nordic Ware’s Bundt cake recipes which are each crafted to pair perfectly with these stunning glazes. From classic flavors to seasonal showstoppers, you’ll find endless inspiration to elevate every swirl, curve, and crumb.
Discover your next bake and shop our full collection of Bundt pans and recipes here.
