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cream cheese glaze recipe With Lemon Zest Veil
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: Approximately 2 cups (enough for a sheet cake, 12–16 servings) 1x
- Diet: General
Description
This cream cheese glaze with lemon zest offers a perfect balance of creamy sweetness and bright tang, transforming any treat into a masterpiece. It’s an easy recipe for muffins, sheet cakes, or even toast, adding a gourmet flourish to your baked goods.
Ingredients
- 8 oz (226 g) cream cheese, softened (full-fat or reduced-fat)
- 2 cups (240 g) powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar)
- 2 to 4 Tbsp (30 to 60 ml) milk or cream (dairy or non-dairy)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla extract
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon zest (from 1 large lemon)
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) fresh lemon juice
Instructions
- Get Ready: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature for at least 30 minutes; this prevents lumps and guarantees a super smooth finish.
- Cream the Cheese: In a medium mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with a hand mixer or stand mixer on medium speed until it’s perfectly smooth and fluffy, about 1 to 2 minutes.
- Sweeten Up: Gradually add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, beating until fully incorporated and no lumps remain. The mixture should thicken considerably as you beat, usually taking 1 to 2 minutes per addition.
- Add Liquid: Drizzle in the milk or cream and vanilla extract, beating until the glaze reaches your desired consistency. For a thick, spreadable glaze, use less liquid (2 tablespoons); for a thinner, drizzling consistency, use more (up to 4 tablespoons). This step should take about 30 seconds.
- Finish with Zest: Gently fold in the fresh lemon zest and a tiny squeeze of lemon juice (about 0.5 teaspoon) using a spatula. This brightens the entire glaze, adding a fantastic aroma.
Notes
To soften cream cheese quickly, microwave it unwrapped for 10-15 seconds at 50% power. Sifting powdered sugar helps prevent lumps. For extra flavor, rub lemon zest into powdered sugar with your fingertips before mixing. If the glaze is too thin, gradually add more powdered sugar; if too thick, add milk or cream one teaspoon at a time. Store extra lemon zest in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or freeze for longer.
- Prep Time: 35 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Condiment
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 Tbsp (30 g)
- Calories: 105 calories
- Sugar: 20 g
- Sodium: 66 mg
- Fat: 2.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1.4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 20 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 0.6 g
- Cholesterol: 7 mg