Quick Vanilla Glaze

How do you make vanilla glaze thicker or thinner?

If you want your glaze thicker, whisk in more confectioners’ sugar, a tablespoon at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. For a thinner glaze, gradually stir in a little more milk.

What kind of food coloring should you use in a vanilla glaze?

You can really use any kind of food coloring you desire, but bear in mind that a liquid food coloring will be more likely to thin your glaze than a gel or paste food coloring. It also depends on the results you're looking for: Gel food coloring produces very vibrant, concentrated color in glazes. Here's more on types of food coloring and when to use them.

Can you put vanilla glaze on hot bakes or should you wait until they're room temperature?

Many times, this depends on the recipe. If you would like some of the vanilla glaze to soak into the bake and create a bit of a glossy coating, it’s best to glaze while still warm. If you would like the glaze to coat or sit on top of the bake, let the bake cool to room temperature before proceeding with the glaze—this is often what you want to do with tinted or colored glazes.

—Mark Neufang, Taste of Home Culinary Assistant