The hunt is over for the perfect Strawberry Glaze! This berry glaze or icing can be used on your favorite sugar cookies, these awesome Fresh Strawberry Scones (or any scone recipe), drizzled over a lemony cake (such as this Lemon Olive Oil Cake), citrus loaf cakes, donuts and more!
It’s super versatile and after macerating your berries (see the Q&A for more details) for anywhere from 10 to 20 minutes, it will take you just 5 minutes to whisk this glaze up. It’s that quick!
Why You Should Make This Berry Glaze (Icing)
- It’s uses only five ingredients: fresh strawberries (see note on Frozen Strawberries below), fresh lemon juice, granulated sugar, confectioners’ sugar and heavy whipping cream.
- It’s the prettiest soft-pink color.
- Adds extra strawberry flavor to whatever you’re pairing it with.
- It’s awesome on cakes, scones, muffins, donuts, loaf cakes, sugar cookies or whatever you’re looking to add a little berry flavor and jazz hands (plus it’s pretty, see the next point 👇🏼)
- It is beautifully opaque and does really nice drips down the sides of your baked goods.
Can I use frozen strawberries?
YES! Allow the frozen strawberries to come to room temperature, strain out any excess moisture and then combine with the granulated sugar and lemon juice.
Step-by-Step Instructions for Perfect Strawberry Glaze
Below are step-by-step photos (with captions) to make Perfect Strawberry Glaze for cookies, scones, loaf cakes, donuts and more, every time! My biggest tips are:
- Give the berries time to release their juices. Depending on how juicy your strawberries are, they’ll release more or less juice. Additionally, less ripe strawberries may take a touch longer to release any liquid.
- Sift the confectioners’ sugar. It’s easy to get impatient and just throw it all in (and if you don’t have a fine-mesh sieve, that’s fine), but you will get the best results with the smoothest glaze if you sift beforehand.
- Add the cream in 1-tablespoon (15 g) increments. Since we want a nice thick glaze you’ll add the cream slowly, whisking well in between additions. This will insure that you get the best texture and dripability (not a word, but you get the gist) from your glaze.
To Macerate the Berries
To Make the Glaze
Fresh Strawberry Glaze Q&A
What do I do if my glaze is too thin?
Since the amount of juice that your berries release will vary, there can be some consistency variables. Typically they will release anywhere from 3 to 5 tablespoons of liquid (about 39 to 65 g); some extra delicious and juicy berries may release more.
If your glaze ends up too thin, simply add in more confectioners’ sugar. Add in 1 tablespoon (7 g) increments until you reach the desired thickness.
What does it mean to macerate strawberries?
When you macerate berries, you are softening them. Adding sugar and acid (lemon) both soften the strawberries allowing them to release liquid. This is an especially helpful technique when using fruit that isn’t super ripe.
Leave any other questions in the comments below! xx
Tools for Making Extra Fabulous Strawberry Glaze
A nice Silicone Spatula for stirring.
These nested, heat-safe Glass Bowls are perfect for macerating the berries and whisking up the glaze.
Don’t forget my favorite scale. I wrote both of my books with this one, it will serve you well on your baking journey!
Fine-Mesh Sieve. Use when sifting your confectioners’ sugar and when straining the strawberry juice. I use mine all the time!
That beautiful Williams-Sonoma whisk with the wooden handle that’s in my videos. It’s so pretty. But when I’m being practical (and not making videos), this Material whisk is THE BOMB. I love their stuff!
I’ve adding a shopping section (woo hoo!), you can check it out here!
Recipes To Use Your Fresh Strawberry Glaze
This recipe was created specifically for my Fresh Strawberry Scones, but it honestly has so many uses! You could add the small-dice macerated strawberries to this Lemon Olive Oil Cake and use this glaze over the top for a delicious Strawberry-Lemonade Cake.
Enjoy your Fresh Strawberry Glaze!
Fresh Strawberry Glaze (Icing) for Scones, Cakes and Cookies
Ingredients
For the Strawberries
- 1 pint (12 ounces or 340 g) fresh, ripe strawberries (cleaned and cut in a small dice)
- 1 tablespoon (13 g) fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon (12 g) granulated sugar
For the Glaze
- 1 1/2 cups (180 g) confectioners' sugar
- 4 to 6 tablespoons (60 to 90 g) heavy whipping cream
Instructions
For the Strawberries
- In a medium bowl combine your chopped strawberries, lemon juice and granulated sugar. Set aside for 10 to 20 minutes (or longer), stirring periodically.
For the Glaze
- Use a fine-mesh sieve to strain the berries, reserving the juice for the glaze. (See note below regarding the Strawberries).
- Whisk together the juice from the berries with the confectioners' sugar until a thick paste forms. Add the heavy whipping cream in 1 tablespoon (15 g) increments until you get a glaze that is thin enough to pour and thick enough to hold its shape. Keep whisking until smooth and use immediately. See storage notes below.
10/10 I love how simple yet delicious this glaze is. I always have the dry goods on hand, have used this recipe with different berries and all were delish! Highly recommend for a quick and simple glaze
You will love it. Let me know if you have any questions! xo