Maple Frosting Recipe: Easy Sweet and Smoky Maple Glaze

Maple frosting might refer to a buttercream frosting, cream cheese frosting, or glaze that uses pure maple syrup or maple extract for its primary flavor.

For maple buttercream frosting or cream cheese frosting, add the real maple syrup or extract into the frosting as you whip it. To make a thick maple glaze, melt maple syrup into salted butter before mixing it with powdered sugar. Whip the frosting until it becomes fluffy for a light and airy buttercream.

Maple has a sweet and smoky flavor that pairs well with other sweet foods. Here are three ways to use the ingredient with other recipes:

1. 1. Coat homemade donuts. Fry yeasted or cake donuts in oil and coat them in a thick brown sugar and maple glaze while they’re still warm. The glaze will set and develop a crackly texture as the donuts cool to room temperature.
2. 2. Frost a cake. Maple flavor complements spice cake, carrot cake, and other warm-spiced cake recipes well. Spread a thick maple buttercream over a sheet cake, layer cake, or cupcakes.
3. 3. Top a stack of pancakes. Take breakfast to a new level and use maple frosting as a pancake topping instead of butter and maple syrup. It adds a dessert quality and a smoky flavor to the pancakes. Sprinkle toasted pecans over top if you want a crunch.