Easy Strawberry Glaze Recipe (Cookie and Cake Icing)

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Strawberry Glaze adds a pop of color and flavor to baked treats like cookies, cakes, and muffins. The scrumptious strawberry icing recipe has just the right amount of sweetness and includes tiny bits of fresh berries for extra fruit flavor. It’s such an easy recipe! 

titled (shown on a sugar cookie) strawberry glaze cookie icing


 

I love making this simple strawberry topping. I find it to be especially delicious during strawberry season because they’re ripe and ready to eat.

Using ripe strawberries from the garden or grocery store makes a huge difference in the flavor of this great recipe.

For a fresh strawberry flavor, be sure that you use ripe strawberries! 

ingredients to make strawberry icing

Strawberry Glaze

This strawberry glaze recipe is super simple to make with just 4 ingredients, and it makes enough to decorate a dozen 2-inch cookies. 

Well, if you don’t sneak a few bites first!

Perfect for decorating Valentine’s desserts or other holiday cookies, this simple and sweet strawberry icing is packed with real fruit flavor!

Learn how to make a strawberry glaze in just 15 minutes. You can even double the recipe and save some for later!

whisking powdered sugar into strawberry simple syrup

How To Make A Strawberry Glaze

Baking with strawberries can be a bit tricky, but there’s one surefire easy way to add that fresh berry flavor to all of your baked goods!

Simply simmer chopped berries in homemade simple syrup, then stir in some powdered sugar and vanilla. 

I dare you not to lick this delightfully sweet strawberry glaze right off of the spoon!

Check out my lemon and caramel glaze recipes as well — both are just as easy to make and can be enjoyed throughout the year.

metal whisk in bowl of strawberry glaze

Different Ways to Use Strawberry Icing

This strawberry icing recipe is perfect for cookies, but don’t stop there! Add a touch of pink, fresh berry sweetness to a variety of desserts.

  • Muffins – Wait until the muffins have fully cooled or the glaze will soak right into the domed tops.
  • Rice Krispie Treats – The next time you make Krispie treats, pour cooled strawberry glaze over the top! 

    Spread it out to each corner of the pan and let it set before cutting your squares.
  • Donuts – Follow this easy air fried donuts recipe, but swap the cinnamon sugar coating for some of this fresh berry icing!
  • Bundt Cake – I recommend making a double batch of this strawberry glaze recipe for a full-size bundt cake.
  • Scones – This glaze would be delicious on vanilla, fruit, or sour cream scones.
  • Waffles – Skip the homemade pancake syrup and fill each crevice with this topping instead!

As you can see, this homemade strawberry glaze is a great way to add extra flavor to so many delicious food options.

I also think that it’s great on ice cream, pound cake, and even fresh strawberry scones! 

Kitchen Tools You Will Need

  • Saucepan – Use this to make a quick strawberry simple syrup as the base for this glaze recipe.
  • Mixing Bowls – I like to have a variety of sizes on hand, and this set has them all.
spooning strawberry icing over cookies

Strawberry Glaze Recipe FAQ

What is strawberry glaze made of?

All you need to make this strawberry glaze recipe is liquid, fresh strawberries, and powdered sugar! 

A little vanilla extract makes the topping extra sweet, and the warm vanilla flavor pairs perfectly with the fruit.

Some recipes use milk for the liquid, but I like to make mine with a small batch of simple syrup. 

Not only does the berry flavor come through stronger when simmered in the sugar water, but the finished cookie glaze is safe at room temperature without the dairy.

Why is my strawberry icing runny? 

You just need more sugar! Stir extra powdered sugar into the icing (a tablespoon or so at a time) until it thickens up.  

It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, but thin enough to still run easily off of the side.

If the mixture becomes too thick, add a few drops of water or lemon juice to thin it back out.

What is the difference between glaze and icing?

Glaze and icing are terms that are often used interchangeably in recipes. Both are poured or spooned over desserts rather than spread like frosting.

If you want to get extra specific, icings tend to have more sugar — this causes them to set quickly and dry firm. Glazes also set over time, but they tend to remain soft and gel-like under the crust.

This icing recipe combines the best of both worlds! The topping is thick enough to use on cookies, but thin enough to drizzle over other desserts as well.

Can I make this with my other favorite fruit? 

You could absolutely make this into a raspberry sauce! I love using other delicious fruits and creating flavors like this! 

sugar cookies topped with strawberry glaze

Prep Ahead Instructions 

Have your fresh strawberries chopped and ready to go before starting this strawberry icing recipe — it comes together quickly! 

Once prepared, you can use your icing immediately or store it for later.

How to Store Glaze Icing

If you want to prepare a big batch of strawberry cookie glaze — or if you’re just knee-deep in holiday baking — you can safely store the mixture in a jar or airtight container.

Keep at room temperature for 2 to 3 days or refrigerate for up to a week.

This strawberry glaze thickens when it’s chilled, so bring it back to room temperature and give it a good stir before using it.

holding a cookie with strawberry icing that has a bite taken out of it

Enjoy!
With love, from our simple kitchen to yours. 

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bitten cookie with strawberry glaze stacked on top of another cookie

Other Delicious Baked Treats

strawberry glaze cookie icing on homemade cookies

Easy Strawberry Glaze Recipe (Cookie and Cake Icing)

Donna Elick
Strawberry Glaze adds a pop of color and sweetness to treats like cookies, cakes, and muffins! This simple recipe uses just 4 ingredients!
5 stars from 3 reviews
Tried this recipe?Please comment and review!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Method Stovetop
Servings 12 2-inch cookies

Ingredients
 

  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 tablespoons white granulated sugar
  • cup chopped strawberries
  • 2 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions
 

  • To a small saucepan over medium heat, add water and sugar, and stir to combine.
  • Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, for 3-4 minutes, until the sugar dissolves.
  • Mash strawberries in a small bowl, then add them to the sugar syrup. Simmer on low for 7 minutes, stirring occasionally.
  • Remove pan from the heat and let the sauce cool.
  • Add the vanilla extract and powdered sugar to a medium-sized bowl. Pour the cooled strawberry sauce into the bowl and stir until well combined.

Donna’s Notes

  1. Adjusting the consistency. If the strawberry glaze is too thick, stir in a few drops of water or lemon juice. If the glaze is too thin, stir in more powdered sugar (a tablespoon or so at a time) until you reach your desired consistency.
  2. Nutrition shown is for 1/12th of the entire batch of glaze.

Nutrition

Calories: 88cal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Sugar: 22g | Fiber: 1g | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 1mg

All nutritional information is based on third party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe’s nutritional value will vary depending on the ingredients used, measuring methods, and portion sizes.

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
titled pinterest collage for strawberry glaze cookie icing

Originally published May 2022, updated and republished May 2024

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9 Comments

  1. Looks wonderful! Could you share what cookies you used the glaze on? Would like to make them too!

  2. 5 stars
    so easy to make! I added a splash of lemon juice to the glaze for an extra kick of acidity. Donna’s recipes never disappoint!

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