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    Home » Desserts

    Chocolate Glaze That Hardens on Your Favorite Desserts

    Published: Jul 23, 2014 · Modified: Nov 24, 2023 by burntapple · This post may contain affiliate links · 26 Comments

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    I am always in search of that perfect glaze! And I think I found it for you!! This chocolate glaze not only adds a rich and decadent flavor to your desserts but also hardens to give them a glossy finish! Look no further because I have discovered the magic of chocolate glaze that hardens on your favorite desserts. This game-changing glaze is perfect for cakes, cupcakes, donuts, pastries, and more. It's easy to make and requires just a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

    The Secret Behind Chocolate Glaze that Hardens

    The secret behind chocolate glaze that hardens is usually corn syrup. But this recipe doesn't have it! Instead the secret factor is the ratio of chocolate to liquid. Too much liquid can make the glaze too thin, while too much chocolate can make it too thick and difficult to spread. Finding the perfect balance is key to achieving a smooth and shiny finish!

    Types of Desserts that Work Well with Chocolate Glaze

    Chocolate glaze that hardens works well on a variety of desserts, from cakes to pastries to donuts. Here are some desserts that we recommend trying with chocolate glaze:

    Cakes

    Chocolate is perfect for drizzling over cakes, creating a beautiful and glossy finish. It works well on both layered and single-layer cakes.

    Cupcakes

    Glaze can be used to top cupcakes, creating a professional and polished look. It's also great for filling cupcakes, adding an extra layer of chocolatey goodness.

    Donuts

    Donuts coated in glaze are an indulgent treat that is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. The glaze hardens to create a satisfying crunch and adds a rich and chocolatey flavor.

    Pastries

    Chocolate glaze is perfect for adding a finishing touch to pastries, such as eclairs, cream puffs, and turnovers. It creates a beautiful and glossy finish that is sure to impress.

    Ingredients

    • melted butter or coconut oil
    • unsweetened cocoa powder
    • hot water
    • powdered sugar
    • vanilla

    Directions

    1. Mix together ingredients in a bowl. Stir until smooth. Add additional hot water (1-2 teaspoons at a time) to thin if needed. As sauce cools it will begin to thicken. To keep at the same consistency you may need to add in an additional 1-2 teaspoons of water at a time to thin and keep in it's original form. Dip cookies, donuts, or pour over cake or cupcakes for a glaze.
    2. Glaze makes enough to dip the tops of approximately 12 cookies depending on size, 12-18 donut holes, the tops of 6-12 regular donuts, the tops of 12-18 mini donuts, one 9" round cake or the tops of 8-12 cupcakes.

    Tips for Perfecting Your Chocolate Glaze

    Here are some tips for perfecting your chocolate glaze:

    • Use high-quality chocolate chips for the best flavor and texture.
    • Be sure to measure your ingredients accurately to ensure the right consistency.
    • Let the glaze rest for a few minutes before pouring it over your dessert to allow it to thicken slightly.
    • If the glaze is too thick, microwave it for a few seconds to thin it out.
    • If the glaze is too thin, add more chocolate chips to thicken it up.
    • Use a spoon or spatula to spread the glaze evenly over your dessert.
    • Once the glaze has set, store your dessert in an airtight container to keep it fresh.

    Creative Ways to Use Hardened Chocolate Glaze

    Hardened chocolate glaze is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of ways. Here are some creative ways to use it:

    • Dip fruit, such as strawberries, bananas, or apples, in the hardened chocolate glaze for a sweet and decadent treat.
    • Use it as a filling for homemade chocolates or truffles.
    • Drizzle it over popcorn for a sweet and salty snack.
    • Make chocolate-covered pretzels by dipping pretzels in the hardened chocolate glaze and letting them set.
    • Use it as a topping for ice cream, creating a hard shell that cracks when you bite into it.

    Frequently Asked Questions e

    Can I use this recipe for white chocolate glaze?

    Yes, you can use this recipe for white chocolate glaze by substituting white chocolate chips for the chocolate chips.

    Can I use this glaze on cookies?

    Yes, you can use this glaze on cookies. It works well on both soft and crunchy cookies.

    How long does the glaze take to set?

    The glaze typically takes 10-15 minutes to set, depending on the thickness of the layer

    Can I store the glaze for later use?

    Yes, you can store the glaze in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To use it again, microwave it for a few seconds to soften it up.

    A glass bowl filled with chocolate covered cookies. The chocolate glaze on the cookies is smooth and shiny, and it has hardened to a hard shell.

    Chocolate Glaze that Hardens

    Traci Wennerholm
    Elevate your desserts with a rich and decadent chocolate glaze that hardens to a perfect, glossy finish. This simple recipe is incredibly versatile, adding a touch of elegance to cakes, cookies, cupcakes, and more.
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 10 minutes mins
    0 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine American
    Servings 20 servings
    Calories 36 kcal

    Equipment

    • saucepan

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 tablespoons melted butter or coconut oil
    • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
    • 2 tablespoons hot water
    • 1 cup powdered sugar
    • ½ teaspoon vanilla

    Instructions
     

    • Mix together ingredients in a bowl. Stir until smooth. Add additional hot water (1-2 teaspoons at a time) to thin if needed. As sauce cools it will begin to thicken. To keep at the same consistency you may need to add in an additional 1-2 teaspoons of water at a time to thin and keep in it's original form. Dip cookies, donuts, or pour over cake or cupcakes for a glaze.

    Notes

    Glaze makes enough to dip the tops of approximately 12 cookies depending on size, 12-18 donut holes, the tops of 6-12 regular donuts, the tops of 12-18 mini donuts, one 9" round cake or the tops of 8-12 cupcakes.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 36kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 0.1gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.03gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 0.3mgPotassium: 8mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 6gCalcium: 1mgIron: 0.1mg
    Keyword chocolate glaze that hardens, glossy chocolate glaze, hardening chocolate glaze, hardens to a perfect shell
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Michelle

      December 23, 2015 at 8:35 pm

      I'm using this on banana bread mini donuts, sugar cookies and chocolate cookies. It hardened on the donuts already. I had a problem with my frosting and glaze soaking into the donuts, which looked bad. I used coconut oil by the way. I haven't tried the finished product but the glaze tasted good and hardened so I'm happy!

      Reply
      • burntapple

        December 24, 2015 at 6:37 am

        So glad it worked for you. Happy holidays...your recipes sound delicious!

        Reply
        • Michelle

          December 24, 2015 at 7:11 am

          The taste was great! Hubby was very happy to see the chocolate glaze??? I'd like to share a picture of our finished goodies! I was also trying to find a way to make other flavors of glaze. Was able to do a lemon but it took lots more of sugar than the chocolate glaze.

    2. Barbara Breuer Scott

      October 05, 2017 at 8:16 pm

      FANTASTIC! WORKS! THANK YOU!!!

      Reply
    3. Katy

      December 09, 2018 at 2:16 pm

      Thanks! Do you have any idea how to make a white chocolate coating that hardens? We don't use dairy and I found some vegan white chocolate chips to experiment with.

      Reply
      • burntapple

        December 09, 2018 at 7:08 pm

        I don't but please tell me where you've found some vegan white chocolate chips! None of the health food stores sell any around here and the few I've found are not very tasty. Would love to know where I can find some! White chocolate is a lot harder to work with for me than chocolate so I would use a lower temperature to start. Let me know how it goes!

        Reply
    4. Bill Adams

      January 12, 2019 at 6:34 am

      I cut up banana bread into square slices about 2" and the glaze worked very well (and was absolutely delicious!) But didn't harden as well as in your photos. Could this be because of the moistness of the bread? Or did I not use enough sugar?

      Reply
      • burntapple

        January 13, 2019 at 5:57 pm

        Possibly. Sometimes depending on humidity, I'll have to adjust a little by using more sugar or moisture to get the glaze to harden. NOt much, but a little. Your recipe sounds delicious!

        Reply
    5. Nerissa

      June 07, 2019 at 2:07 pm

      Hello, can I add hazelnut spread to this? If so, do I have to change anything else?

      Reply
      • burntapple

        June 08, 2019 at 9:14 am

        You can certainly try it! I think it would still set up but it might be a little softer. let me know how it works!

        Reply
    6. Dianne

      August 05, 2019 at 9:15 pm

      Any suggestion if I want to make this a vanilla glaze as I'm baking black & white cookies?

      Reply
      • burntapple

        August 05, 2019 at 9:27 pm

        It's really hard to get a hard vanilla glaze. I usually see people use the white melting chips. I like the Guittard or Ghiradelli white chocolate chips because they have a really rich vanilla taste to them (and not so much white chocolate). I also saw this as a white frosting that hardens. https://www.julieseatsandtreats.com/homemade-sugar-cookie-frosting-that-hardens/ Hope that helps and let me know how the cookies turn out!

        Reply
        • Jamie

          January 23, 2021 at 9:45 am

          Can you use this for eclairs?

        • burntapple

          January 24, 2021 at 11:46 am

          Yes, I use this recipe for toppings on eclairs. I have a dairy free gluten free eclair recipe too. It has a similar topping if you want to look at it. Either one works fine though I've used both this chocolate topping and the one on the eclairs for toppings. Let me know how it works out for you! https://burntapple.com/2016/03/30/gluten-free-dairy-free-eclairs/

    7. ian c grimsdick

      November 23, 2019 at 7:45 pm

      This worked great for me! I did find I needed to add another 2 teaspoons of cocoa powder, but I think that's because of the kind I used. It hardened the way I wanted and it taste great! Thanks for the recipe.

      Reply
      • burntapple

        November 24, 2019 at 8:37 pm

        So glad that it worked for you! Glad that you liked it.

        Reply
    8. [email protected]

      May 19, 2021 at 4:58 pm

      I'm trying to recreate a bakery cake that had a thick hard outer shell of chocolate ganache NOT SHINY . I'm not sure if the bakery put several layers of ganache to create the thickness, but I have never tried to ganache a cake so I need help.. Any suggestions?

      Reply
      • burntapple

        May 22, 2021 at 9:15 pm

        I wish I could answer this better for you. I don't do a lot with ganaches other than simple ones. Would a slabbed ganache be what you are looking for? https://www.instructables.com/Advanced-Truffle-Making-Slabbed-Ganache-and-Multi/

        Reply
    9. Kelly

      November 18, 2021 at 11:47 am

      My Great Aunt used to make yellow-cake cupcakes. Then stacked up the cupcakes kind of like a pyramid and then poured icing over the stack. It hardened and all the cupcakes were kind of stuck together - but so good. I am going to try your recipe for the icing since none of my family members have the original recipe.
      Thank you for posting!

      Reply
      • burntapple

        November 19, 2021 at 9:09 pm

        Your welcome please let me know how it works out! Excited to see and hear how it goes!

        Reply
    10. Myriam

      January 18, 2023 at 3:11 pm

      Hi. Using your recipe, how would you prevent the bottom of chocolate dipped cookies from sticking to either parchment or wax paper or a cooling rack? Or would you use something them to cool them on until they're set?

      Reply
      • burntapple

        January 19, 2023 at 6:22 am

        I've used parchment and wax paper to help prevent them from sticking.

        Reply
    11. Audrey Morissette

      July 25, 2023 at 12:55 pm

      Hi! I don't see where to put the chocolate chips in recipe? I only see cocoa powder?

      Reply
      • burntapple

        July 26, 2023 at 6:14 am

        Hi Audrey, you don't need chocolate chips for this recipe, just cocoa powder. Let me know how it turns out!

        Reply
    12. jack loganbill

      October 21, 2023 at 9:24 am

      Your tips mention chocolate chips, but not mentioned in the recipe....????

      Reply
      • burntapple

        November 02, 2023 at 8:27 pm

        I've changed that but I will do it again, thanks!

        Reply

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