• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Recipes
  • About MBC
  • Get in Touch

Midnight Bake Club

menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • About MBC
  • Get in Touch

search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • About MBC
  • Get in Touch

×
Home » Recipes » Frostings & Icings

March 4, 2026

2 Minute Small Batch Vanilla Glaze

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

You can literally make this small batch vanilla glaze in two minutes, and you won't end up with a bunch of leftovers. (I can't even tell you how much glaze I've thrown out over the years.) And with just three ingredients, you probably already have everything in your pantry right this very second. I love drizzling it over small batch cinnamon rolls!

A spoon scooping small batch vanilla glaze.

I'm convinced that the best way to elevate a dessert in seconds is to just drizzle some glaze over the top. As a trained pastry chef, this has seriously been my go-to move for like, a decade.

The problem is, most recipes make a ton of glaze, and I always end up throwing a bunch of it away. And like, 90% of the time, all you need is a small amount for drizzling.

I especially love using this glaze on my small batch blueberry muffins or these no chill sugar cookies. But you could even use it on my half batch vanilla cupcakes for donut vibes.

Either way, this is a nice recipe to have in your back pocket for last-minute treats or sweet snacks! Let's make it. 🙂

Vanilla bean paste

White bowls of milk and powdered sugar next to a jar of vanilla bean paste on a white counter.

For a more intense vanilla flavor, I love vanilla bean paste! A little goes a long way, and you'll end up with those gorgeous black flecks. It adds a deeper vanilla flavor, and it's totally worth a little extra cost!

Of course, if you don't have vanilla bean paste on hand, you can totally use vanilla extract instead. I've done it many times!

Whisk it up

A white bowl of powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla bean paste on a white counter.
Add the powdered sugar, milk, & vanilla bean paste to a small bowl.
A hand using a whisk to mix vanilla icing in a white bowl.
Whisk the glaze until it's smooth and there are no lumps of powdered sugar.
Small batch vanilla glaze.
Use the glaze right away, or press plastic wrap to the top & refrigerate it for later.

For a smooth and silky glaze, I would sift the powdered sugar first. (Ok tbh, I don't do this every time if I'm feeling lazy haha. But it is worth the extra 30 seconds of prep!)

Make it thicker or thinner

If the glaze is too thin, add more powdered sugar, 1-2 teaspoons at a time. Or, if it's too thick, you can add more milk, about ½ teaspoon at a time instead.

A white bowl of small batch vanilla bean glaze with a spoon on a white counter next to a white bowl of powdered sugar.


When it comes to small-batch baking, I always recommend using a scale to measure the ingredients. If you don't have a scale, here are all my tips on how I measure ingredients for small batch baking.


If you try this recipe, I would love if you left a star rating and review. I read every comment and love hearing what you think about my recipes. Thanks so much for supporting Midnight Bake Club!

3 Ingredient Small Batch Vanilla Glaze

You can literally make this small batch vanilla glaze in two minutes, and all you need is three basic ingredients. It's super quick, easy, and has the perfect amount of vanilla flavor thanks to a little vanilla bean paste. Drizzle it over cinnamon rolls, cookies, muffins, or any other desserts you like!
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 2 minutes mins
Cook Time 0 minutes mins
Total Time 2 minutes mins
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 12 teaspoons

Equipment

  • Whisk

Ingredients
  

  • 60 grams powdered sugar (½ cup)
  • 2 teaspoons whole milk, more as needed
  • ½ teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • Add the powdered sugar, whole milk, and vanilla bean paste or extract to a small bowl. Whisk until smooth.
  • If the glaze is too thick, add more milk, ½ teaspoon at a time. If it's too thin, add more powdered sugar, 1-2 teaspoons at a time.
  • Immediately use the glaze. Or, press a piece of plastic wrap to the surface of the glaze and refrigerate it for later.

Notes

For a smooth and silky glaze, I would sift the powdered sugar first. (Ok honestly, I don't do this every time if I'm feeling lazy haha. But it is worth the extra 30 seconds of prep!)
The glaze might get some bubbles on the top, just whisk the glaze to smooth it out again.
Make sure to press a piece of plastic wrap to the top of the glaze if you're going to store it. Otherwise, it'll harden.
After you drizzle the glaze, let it set for 30-60 minutes, until it hardens.
This recipe makes about 75 grams or ¼ cup of glaze.

Nutrition

Serving: 1teaspoonCalories: 20kcalCarbohydrates: 5gProtein: 0gFat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 0mgPotassium: 2mgFiber: 0gSugar: 5gCalcium: 0mgIron: 0mg
Keyword frosting, glaze, icing, vanilla bean
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

More Frostings & Icings

  • Fluffy Small Batch Lemon Buttercream Frosting
  • Fluffy Small Batch Cream Cheese Frosting
  • Small Batch Whipped Chocolate Ganache
  • The Best Small Batch Chocolate Buttercream Frosting

Reader Interactions

Did you make this recipe? I'd love to hear what you think! Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Primary Sidebar

Hi, I'm Sara!

I am a trained pastry chef who loves listening to music & baking late into the night. Here, I'm sharing my go-to small batch baking recipes for any late night craving.

Meet Me

Trending Recipes

  • Small Batch Lemon Poppy Seed Cupcakes
  • Small Batch Chocolate Peanut Butter Rice Krispie Treats
  • Small Batch Chocolate-Covered Rice Crispy Treats
  • Small Batch Chocolate Peanut Clusters

Footer

Quick Links

Privacy Policy
Editorial Policy

About MBC

About
Get in Touch

Copyright © 2024 Midnight Bake Club.