Three Holiday Glazes
As we round the corner into the last month of the year, I’m daydreaming of slow snowy days with my family, no technology, nowhere to be and something working in the oven. I’ve got a few busy weeks in the pipeline before I make it Jackson Hole, Wyoming for Christmas where those daydreams become reality for a few glorious days. Until then, I’m enjoying the crazy that December brings with its many holiday parties, house guests and last minute sweet needs. These busy weeks are when I reach for easier ways to finish my desserts. Rather than turning to frosting recipes (or Wild Rye frosting mixes ;)), I look to glazes as a way to finish my cakes for a dinner party or sweet swap. Here are my three current favorites. The Orange Pomegranate Glaze has the most swoon-worthy color. The Winter Spice and Cream Cheese is a fit for literally everything you could be baking. And the peppermint chocolate, well, need I say more?
These glazes can be put together in mere moments and will hopefully have you feeling like the baking king or queen that you are (even if you don't know it yet!). A note about glazes: you kinda have to see yourself as Goldilocks when it comes to finding your desired thickness and pourability. I prefer my glazes to be thick so I can get those nice drips down the side of my cakes. I know plenty of people who like their glazes thin so they lightly coat more surface area to give a different effect. My point is, use these recipes as a starting place to find your perfect consistency. Play around! Add a little more liquid if you prefer a thinner glaze. Add more powdered sugar if you want to thicken it up! I hope to encourage you to discover your glaze’s “just right!”
If you feel like being extra (come on, be extra with me!), top off your glazed cakes with some pomegranate seeds, chopped toasted pecans, or flaky salt like Maldon.
Orange Pomegranate Glaze
Ingredients:
2 cups powdered sugar
3 tablespoons pomegranate juice or pomegranate molasses
Zest of 1 orange
Pinch of salt
Step 1: Whisk powdered sugar, pomegranate juice or molasses, orange zest and salt together in a medium bowl until smooth. If needed, add more pomegranate juice or molasses until pourable.
Step 2: Freestyle pour over your cake and enjoy!
Peppermint Chocolate Glaze
Ingredients:
1 ½ cups powdered sugar
4 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons milk or alt milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon peppermint extract, plus more if you prefer
Step 1: Sift together sugar and cocoa powder in a medium bowl.
Step 2: Slowly whisk in the milk, vanilla and peppermint extracts a little at a time to make a smooth and pourable glaze.
Step 3: Freestyle pour your glaze atop your cake and enjoy!
Winter Spice & Cream Cheese
Ingredients:
4 oz or ½ cup cream cheese, softened at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons milk or alt milk
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon cinnamon
Pinch of nutmeg
Pinch of cloves
Step 1: In a medium bowl, stir together cream cheese, powdered sugar, salt and milk until thick and smooth. It may take some time to work out the lumps so stay patient :)
Step 2: Stir in spices and mix until well combined, smooth and pourable.
Step 3: Freestyle pour your glaze atop your cake and enjoy!