Make a Citrus Glaze (for Baking)

A citrus glaze is a lightly tart complement to many baked goods, such as lemon pound cake or orange cranberry muffins. Use the citrus fruit of your choice (or a mixture of them!) to make the perfect glaze for your dessert. Once you've tried the basic recipe with orange or lemon, try a more exotic citrus, such as tangerine, kumquat, or key lime.

Ingredients

  • 1 cup powdered sugar (icing sugar)
  • 1/2 cup citrus juice (fresh squeezed and strained)
  • 1 tsp citrus zest (optional)
  • Extra zest, candied fruit sections, or peel curls for garnish (optional)

Steps

  1. Pour powdered sugar into a small mixing bowl. Fluff with a whisk if needed to break up clumps.
  2. Add juice while slowly stirring with a fork.
  3. Stir in zest if desired
  4. Stir gently, until smooth. The texture should be thick, but not stiff.
  5. Refrigerate until needed.

Tips

  • Fresh, 100 percent cranberry juice can be used to make a glaze for cranberry nut muffins or other desserts. Just substitute cranberry juice for citrus. Other juices, such as cherry, pineapple, or pomegranate can be used as well, providing there are no other ingredients in the juice.
  • Gummy citrus fruit slices (often sold in the candy section of grocery stores) or candied fruit chunks (available in health food stores or bulk sections) make a great garnish.

Warnings

  • Will stick prominently to dark clothing. Wear an apron during prep.

Things You'll Need

  • Small mixing bowl
  • Whisk
  • Fork

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