How to Make a Granulated Sugar Glaze for Baked Goods

A sweet, sticky granulated sugar glaze is that extra element that can take a dish from a 9.5 to a perfect 10. On its own, a granulated sugar glaze can be used to add sweetness and moisture to things like banana bread, lemon muffins, and coffee cake. Infusing the glaze with additional flavors adds even more depth of flavor to your favorite baked goods.

So, how do you make a delicious glaze with granulated sugar? There are a few ways to create this topper, and they're all super simple and suitable for all skill levels.

There are a few ways to make granulated sugar glaze. Heating granulated sugar with any kind of liquid will create a basic glaze great for banana bread and other flavored baked goods. Heating the glaze causes the sugar crystals to dissolve, creating a smooth texture.

One of the easiest ways to create a flavor-packed granulated sugar glaze is to combine one part lemon juice and two to three parts granulated sugar in a small saucepan over low heat. (About 6 tablespoons of lemon juice and 12 tablespoons of sugar should yield enough glaze to drizzle over a loaf of bread or a small cake.) Heat and stir the mixture just until it's warm but don't let it boil. Add lemon zest to intensify the citrus flavor.

If you don't want lemon flavor, make a basic granulated sugar glaze with two parts sugar and one part water or milk. Again, heat the mixture over low heat just until the sugar dissolves. If you're striving for true decadence, make a glaze of sugar and heavy cream. (If you use milk or cream, your baked goods should be stored in the refrigerator.)

There are a few things to add to your granulated sugar glaze to give it more flavor.

Just a splash of an extract can add a ton of flavor to a granulated sugar glaze. Vanilla extract is the obvious choice, but you may want to experiment with others too. For example, add banana and coconut extracts to a granulated sugar glaze made for pineapple cake or drizzle a granulated sugar glaze flavored with rum and coconut extracts over a homemade rum cake. Add just a drop of an extract to your glaze to start and add more to taste.

Some granulated sugar glaze recipes call for the addition of melted butter. While it's not absolutely necessary, adding a tablespoon of butter to your glaze will make it richer. The glaze may start to crack or congeal a bit as it cools, which is normal.

Many sweet and sticky glaze recipes call for powdered sugar instead of granulated. A glaze made with powdered sugar will taste like one made with granulated sugar but will have more of an opaque white sheen and a thicker texture because this sugar is made with cornstarch.

If you're following a recipe that calls for a powdered sugar glaze, but you only have granulated sugar, there's a quick and easy way to make a decent substitution. To replace 1 cup of powdered sugar, combine 1 cup of granulated sugar with 1 teaspoon of cornstarch in a blender. Blend the mixture until it's a fine powder.

Because of its fine texture, powdered sugar tends to dissolve when it's combined with liquid; no heat is necessary. So, if you do make a substitute with granulated sugar, simply stir together the glaze ingredients in a bowl. There's no need to warm the mixture unless it tastes grainy.