This cream cheese shiny black icing glaze is perfect for adding a beautiful finishing touch to cakes, donuts, and more.
When I created my black velvet cake, I wanted to create a shiny black glaze that would not just look beautiful but taste incredible, too! I knew it had to be rich, creamy, and full of flavor without overpowering the cake. After experimenting with a few ideas, I landed on this Black & Gold Cream Cheese Glaze—a blend of black cocoa powder, cream cheese, and just a hint of gold luster dust for an elegant touch. It pairs perfectly with the deep chocolate flavor of the cake and adds a stunning, sophisticated shine that turns any dessert into a show-stopping centerpiece.
What You’ll Need
To make this Black Cream Cheese Glaze, you only need a handful of ingredients, most of which you likely have in your pantry. Each ingredient plays a vital role, so it’s worth choosing quality options.
Ingredients List:
- Cream Cheese: Opt for full-fat, softened cream cheese. It creates a rich, smooth base for the glaze.
- Powdered Sugar: Sifted powdered sugar helps create a silky texture. Any brand will work, but make sure it’s lump-free.
- Black Cocoa Powder: Black cocoa powder is less bitter and has a deeper color than regular cocoa powder. If you can’t find it, you can substitute it with Dutch-processed cocoa, but the color won’t be as dark.
- Luster Dust: I used Black and Gold Luster Dust to create a sparkle throughout the glaze, but leaving it out will not affect the final result.
- Vanilla: Vanilla extract or vanilla bean paste are great options for this recipe.
- Butter: Use melted, unsalted butter to add a creamy richness.
- Corn Syrup: This ingredient is key to achieving that shiny finish.
- Hot Water: Just a small amount to adjust the consistency.
- Pinch of Salt: Optional but helps balance the sweetness.
- Black Food Coloring Gel: I find black food coloring gel works best. You can use liquid food coloring, but it will take a lot more to get an intense color which can affect the flavor of the glaze.
About Black Cocoa Powder
Black cocoa powder is a type of cocoa that has been heavily Dutched, or alkalized, to reduce its acidity and give it a strikingly dark color. This processing removes much of the bitterness often found in natural cocoa powder, resulting in a smoother, milder taste with earthy undertones.
The deep black color and unique flavor profile make black cocoa powder popular for creating visually impressive desserts like black velvet cake and intensely colored glazes. Its flavor is similar to Oreo cookies, offering a rich, slightly bittersweet taste without overwhelming sweetness.
How To Make
You can find the full, printable recipe at the bottom of this post (click the button above), but you can read a summary with step-by-step instructions and photos for each step below.
Prepare Ingredients: Start by softening your cream cheese and melting the butter. This makes blending smoother and quicker.
Mix Cream Cheese, Butter, and Corn Syrup: In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, warm melted butter, and corn syrup. The corn syrup is essential for maintaining a shiny finish.
Incorporate Powdered Sugar and Cocoa: Sift the powdered sugar, luster dust, salt, and black cocoa to avoid lumps, then slowly mix them into the cream cheese mixture. Stir gently to keep the glaze smooth.
Adjust Consistency: Add 2-3 teaspoons of hot water, a little at a time, to reach your desired consistency. Less water results in a thicker glaze, while more makes it thinner and easier to drizzle.
Drizzel over your favorite cakes, donuts or more!
Make It Your Own
Add a Flavor Boost: Try adding a teaspoon of coffee or espresso powder to enhance the depth of the chocolate flavor.
Try a Different Cocoa Powder: If you want a slightly different taste, you can experiment with regular cocoa or Dutch-processed cocoa for a lighter color and flavor.
.Citrus Twist: Adding a small amount of lemon or orange zest can give the glaze a fresh, bright flavor without overpowering the chocolate.
Recipe Tips
- Use Softened Cream Cheese: Cold cream cheese is harder to blend, and you may end up with lumps in your glaze.
- Sift for Smoothness: Don’t skip sifting the powdered sugar and cocoa powder! It makes a big difference in texture.
- Beat for Shine: After all ingredients are combined, give the glaze a good mix for a minute or so to enhance the glossy finish.
- Add Water Slowly: It’s easier to thin out a thick glaze than to thicken a runny one. Add water a little at a time until you reach the right consistency.
Storage & Freezing Instructions ❄
Store any leftover Black Cream Cheese Glaze in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Before using again, let it come to room temperature and give it a quick stir. If needed, add a little hot water to loosen it.
For freezing, place the glaze in a freezer-safe container, and it will keep for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge overnight and stir before using.
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Let’s Make Shiny Black Icing Glaze
Ingredients
- 4 oz cream cheese softened
- 2 tablespoons butter melted and warm
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup adds shine
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar confectioners’ sugar, sifted
- ¾ teaspoon gold luster dust optional
- ¾ teaspoon black luster dust oprional
- 2 tablespoons black cocoa powder
- Pinch salt
- hot water as needed to loosen
- black food coloring gel
Instructions
- In a medium bowl, mix the softened cream cheese, melted butter, vanilla, and corn syrup until smooth. Corn syrup helps maintain a glossy finish on the glaze, even after it sets.
- Sift the powdered sugar, luster dust, salt, and black cocoa powder to ensure a smooth texture, then add them to the cream cheese mixture. Stir slowly to incorporate.
- Add hot water a little at a time until you achieve the desired glaze consistency. Less water will make a thicker glaze, while more water will create a drippier, thinner glaze.
- Mix in black gel food coloring gradually, a little at a time, until you achieve a rich, dark black color.
- Once all ingredients are combined, beat the glaze for an additional minute. This helps create a smooth, glossy finish.
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