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This pumpkin bread glaze takes this tasty loaf over the top! Try it with this simple maple or vanilla icing.
Looking for a glaze for pumpkin bread? This recipe is the best way to take your loaf to the next level!
This delicious maple glaze has a sweet, nuanced flavor and sets up beautifully. It’s ideal for drizzling over any quick bread, and it comes together quickly. In just 5 minutes, you’ve got a thick, bakery-style glaze.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s the best glaze for pumpkin bread? We think this easy maple glaze takes the cake, with just a few ingredients and a quick prep time. It also sets nicely at room temperature, so it stays solid instead of becoming sticky like other glazes. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:
- Powdered sugar
- Butter
- Maple syrup
- Salt
- Maple extract or vanilla extract
- Milk of choice
Secrets to This Pumpkin Bread Glaze
The secrets to the flavor and texture in this pumpkin bread glaze? Maple extract and butter. In addition, it’s important to drizzle the glaze with a fork rather than a spoon.
- Maple extract is a flavoring made by steeping maple syrup in a neutral solvent, like vodka or grain alcohol, for weeks to extract its flavor. It offers a much stronger maple flavor than the syrup itself. It’s the same idea as using vanilla extract instead of a vanilla bean.
- Butter used in this pumpkin bread glaze helps it set to a solid at room temperature. Other types of glazes can become sticky during room-temperature storage, but this maple glaze sets beautifully.
- Use a fork to drizzle the glaze across the bread. This gets a much better drizzle consistency than a spoon, which makes very large lines.
Storage Info
Allow approximately 20 minutes for the glaze to dry. The glazed bread stores for up to 5 days at room temperature (without getting sticky!). For best results, store refrigerated for up to 10 days.
Variations to Try
There are a few other glaze options for pumpkin bread. Here are a few variations to try:
- Vanilla Glaze: This glaze is simple and requires only 4 ingredients. You can also add butter to make it more stable at room temperature.
- Cream Cheese Glaze: Perfect for pumpkin bread! This drizzle is best added directly before serving.
- Easy Chocolate Glaze: Pumpkin and chocolate work well together! Try my Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Bread for even more decadence.
Use it on Any Pumpkin Bread
This 1- Bowl Pumpkin Bread recipe is my pick for this glaze, but you can use it on many different types of pumpkin bread! Here are a few ideas:
- This classic Pumpkin Bread is my favorite.
- Make Healthy Pumpkin Bread in a blender.
- Go for Vegan Pumpkin Bread (use vegan butter and non-dairy milk in the icing).
- Try Pumpkin Banana Bread.
- Go for muffins instead with these Pumpkin Muffins.
Dietary Notes
This recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. For vegan, use vegan butter and non-dairy milk.
Pumpkin Bread Glaze
This glaze for pumpkin bread takes this tasty loaf over the top! Try it with this simple maple or vanilla icing.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: Enough for 1 loaf or 12 muffins 1x
- Category: Baked
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Baked
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the maple glaze:
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon melted butter, salted or unsalted (or vegan butter, or omit*)
- 2 tablespoons maple syrup
- 1 pinch kosher salt
- 3 drops maple extract (or ½ teaspoon vanilla)
- 1 tablespoon milk of choice, plus more if needed
For the pumpkin bread:
- Go to 1-Bowl Pumpkin Bread (or one of these 10 Pumpkin Bread Recipes)
Instructions
- Make the Pumpkin Bread.
- When the pumpkin bread is fully cooled to room temperature, heat the butter and maple syrup in a small saucepan until the butter melts. In a medium bowl, slowly whisk the powdered sugar, butter and maple syrup, salt and maple extract (or vanilla) until a thick glaze forms. Gradually add the milk to make a smooth, pourable glaze. If the glaze is too sticky, add a teaspoon more milk until it comes to a smooth, thick consistency. (If desired, you can add more maple extract to taste.)
- Use a fork to drizzle across the bread. Allow approximately 20 minutes for the glaze to dry. The glazed bread stores up to 5 days at room temperature (without getting sticky!) or for best results, store refrigerated up to 10 days.
Notes
*The butter is crucial for having a glaze that stays solid during storage and doesn’t become sticky. If you choose to omit it, adjust the milk quantity accordingly and store refrigerated for best results.
Let us know if you have any questions!