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3-ingredient pumpkin spice icing/glaze comes together in just minutes and is the perfect pumpkin cake glaze and topping for vegan muffins, cookies, donuts, cupcakes, etc!
Table of contents
2-Minute, 3-Ingredient Pumpkin Spice Glaze
With fall fully upon us, get ready for us to introduce you to the perfect topping for any spiced/ pumpkin dessert this season! This pumpkin spice icing/glaze combines just 3 base ingredients (though there are several optional add-ins to choose from) for a simple, flavorful glaze for pumpkin cake and other pumpkin and fall-flavored cookies, donuts, muffins, and more.
The Ingredients
- Powdered sugar: Use regular powdered sugar (aka confectioner’s sugar), make your own powdered sugar with less refined options (like coconut sugar), or use a sugar-free powdered sugar substitute, like erythritol or Truvia.
- Plant-based milk: Use any unsweetened dairy-free milk, like soy milk, oat milk, etc. For a creamier pumpkin spice glaze, use canned coconut milk.
- Pumpkin pie spice: Use store-bought or homemade pumpkin spice.
For creamy pumpkin spice frosting, refer to our vegan vanilla buttercream recipe, but add 1 teaspoon of pumpkin pie spice (or adjust the amount to taste). Make it more pumpkin-forward with ¼ cup pumpkin puree and reduce the plant-based milk slightly.
Flavor Variations
- Pumpkin puree: Make a pumpkin-forward flavor with a tablespoon of pumpkin. Adjust the remaining ingredients accordingly to achieve the correct consistency.
- Cinnamon: Make the pumpkin glaze more cinnamon-forward, added to taste.
- Maple syrup: Replace about a tablespoon of vegan milk with maple syrup.
- Vanilla extract: Just ¼-½ teaspoon for a more aromatic, warming flavor.
- Salt: Just a little salt balances the sweetness of the pumpkin cake glaze.
- Vegan butter: Add 1-2 tablespoons of melted but cooled vegan butter for a luxurious, silky mouthfeel and flavor.
How to Make Pumpkin Spice Glaze
- 1) First, combine the powdered sugar and pumpkin spice in a small bowl, then add one tablespoon of vegan milk and whisk.
- 2) Add the second tablespoon of vegan milk and whisk to a smooth pumpkin spice glaze.
Add slightly less or more plant-based milk to achieve your preferred consistency. Also, taste it and add more spice if preferred.
- 3) Then, drizzle (with a spoon or Ziplock bag), dip, or spread the pumpkin spice icing over fully cooled baked goods. Enjoy!
Place a layer of parchment paper beneath the baked item when icing to reduce mess. Note that while this pumpkin spice glaze will set, it doesn’t harden like royal icing.
Recipe Pro Tips
- To adjust the consistency: For a thicker pumpkin glaze for cake/bakes, add more sugar (or cornstarch). For a thinner one, add more plant-based milk, just a few drops at a time.
- For smooth glaze: Sift the powdered sugar into the bowl to remove lumps.
- If the glaze is grainy: Microwave it for 10-15 seconds, stirring well until smooth and lump-free. Then leave to cool before using.
- For a very thin layer: Add the pumpkin spice icing when the baked good is still slightly warm, as it will lightly melt the glaze for a very thin layer. For a thicker layer, wait until it’s fully cooled.
How to Use Pumpkin Spice Icing?
- As a glaze for vegan pumpkin cake (bundt cake, sheet cake, loaf, etc.)
- Over a spice cake/ spice bread/ spiced banana bread
- Drizzle it over pumpkin muffins and cupcakes
- As a pumpkin spice cookie icing for pumpkin choc chip cookies, pumpkin molasses cookies, and ginger cookies
- As a pumpkin spice donut glaze
- Over vegan brownies and blondies
How Else Can You Top Pumpkin Baked Goods?
Several flavors pair particularly well with pumpkin, including:
- A simple cinnamon glaze (replace the pumpkin spice with cinnamon)
- Maple icing
- Salted caramel sauce
- Vegan cream cheese frosting
- Cinnamon, caramel, chocolate, or espresso buttercream
- Coconut whipped cream
- A simple orange glaze
Storage Instructions
If you aren’t using all the pumpkin spice glaze immediately, cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap or transfer it to an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator for 4-5 days.
When you want to use it, allow it to sit at room temperature for a while and whisk it well, adding a little more plant-based milk if needed to bring it back to the correct consistency.
Related Recipes
Photos by Alfonso Revilla
Pumpkin Spice Glaze
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup of powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoons of pumpkin spice
- 2 tablespoons of plant-based milk
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, add the sugar and pumpkin spice. Add one tablespoon of plant-based milk and whisk.
- Add the second tablespoon of plant-based milk and mix until the desired glaze consistency is achieved.
- Drizzle over fully cool baked goods.
Notes
- To adjust the consistency: For a thicker pumpkin glaze for cake/bakes, add more sugar (or cornstarch). For a thinner one, add more plant-based milk, just a few drops at a time.
- For smooth glaze: Sift the powdered sugar into the bowl to remove lumps.
- If the glaze is grainy: Microwave it for 10-15 seconds, stirring well until smooth and lump-free. Then leave to cool before using.
Nutrition
Disclaimer: Although plantbasedonabudget.com attempts to provide accurate nutritional information, kindly note that these are only estimates. Nutritional information may be affected based on the product type, the brand that was purchased, and in other unforeseeable ways. Plantbasedonabudget.com will not be held liable for any loss or damage resulting for your reliance on nutritional information. If you need to follow a specific caloric regimen, please consult your doctor first.
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This pumpkin spiced glaze is so yummy over my favorite pumpkin muffin recipe … thank you!
Ooo I bet it was amazing! So glad you gave it a go 🙂
So easy!