Description
This Cinnamon Roll Icing without Cream Cheese is a luscious, smooth glaze made with browned butter, powdered sugar, and natural sweeteners. Perfect for drizzling over warm cinnamon rolls, it offers a rich, nutty flavor without the tang of cream cheese. The addition of vanilla, lemon juice, and maple syrup creates a balanced sweetness with a subtle depth, making it an easy and crowd-pleasing topping for your baked delights.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons cornstarch
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons milk (whole or plant-based)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
Instructions
- Brown the Butter: Begin by melting the unsalted butter over medium-low heat in a small saucepan. Stir constantly until the butter foams, then turns golden brown and releases a nutty aroma, which takes about 4–5 minutes. Watch carefully to avoid burning and remove from heat as soon as the foam subsides to capture the perfect browned butter flavor.
- Sift Dry Ingredients: While the butter cools for 1–2 minutes, sift together the powdered sugar, cornstarch, and salt in a mixing bowl. This prevents weeping and ensures the icing will have a firm glaze suitable for warm cinnamon rolls.
- Combine Ingredients: Add the browned butter, including any browned bits, to the dry mixture. Then pour in the milk, vanilla extract, lemon juice, and maple syrup. Whisk vigorously until the mixture is completely smooth. If lumps persist, use a hand mixer on low speed for 10–15 seconds to ensure a silky texture.
- Rest the Icing: Let the icing rest for about 3 minutes to thicken slightly. Adjust the consistency as desired by adding up to 1 tablespoon more powdered sugar for thicker icing or 1 teaspoon more milk at a time to thin the glaze to your preference.
- Apply and Store: Drizzle the icing over warm cinnamon rolls in concentric circles for an even coat. Store any leftover icing in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 7 days. To reuse, gently warm in the microwave for 10–15 seconds and whisk before applying.
Notes
- Watching the butter closely during browning is key to achieving the perfect nutty flavor without burning.
- Sifting the powdered sugar and cornstarch helps prevent the icing from becoming watery or weeping on warm rolls.
- The lemon juice balances the sweetness and brightens the overall flavor of the icing.
- Maple syrup adds a natural sweetness and subtle complexity but can be substituted with honey if preferred.
- Use whole milk or your favorite plant-based milk to keep the icing dairy-free or suited to your dietary needs.
