A silky smooth but perfectly pipeable peanut butter frosting that’s the perfect complement to any cake or cupcake. Also great for just eating by the spoonful!
Maybe you guys haven’t noticed, but I’ve been working on bulking up my “Frostings” section on the blog.
In the past, I would share cake or cupcake recipes and tag on my preferred complementary frosting, but I’m a big believer in choices. Maybe you’d rather frost your funfetti cake with chocolate frosting (or even peanut butter frosting) instead of buttercream, right? Well I wanted to have a good variety of options for you to choose from.
So far I’ve shared my favorites of the following:
- Cream cheese frosting (<—- possibly my favorite frosting of all-time)
- Chocolate frosting
- Vanilla buttercream frosting
And today I’m adding peanut butter frosting to the list.
This recipe is super easy to make, and on Monday I’ll be sharing a very complementary and very dark chocolate cupcake recipe with you, but of course you can put it on whatever you want. You can even just eat it by the spoonful, I know I did.
And yet it remains a mystery to me why my cardio sessions aren’t paying off 😭
Anyway, Peanut Butter Frosting requires just 6 ingredients to make. It’s smooth, creamy, and is great for piping on top of cupcakes or decorating a cake.
Tips for Making Peanut Butter Frosting
- While chunky or creamy peanut butter can work in this peanut butter frosting recipe, I don’t recommend using chunky unless you don’t intend to pipe the frosting. The little peanut pieces will clog up your frosting tips in a second.
- I don’t recommend using natural peanut butter (the kind that separates, you know the one that you usually need to stir before using). I haven’t tried it myself but I’m pretty certain that it wouldn’t work too nicely work with this recipe (it would be too oily).
- This peanut butter frosting pipes very nicely as written. However, for a stiffer frosting, you can add an additional ½-1 cup (65-125g) of powdered sugar.
How Many Cupcakes/How Much Cake Will this Peanut Butter Frosting Cover?
- If you’re generously frosting your cupcakes (as seen in my cupcake photo below), then this frosting will handily cover 12-15 cupcakes. If you’re being a bit more modest, it will cover 24 (I covered 24 cupcakes with peanut butter frosting rosettes using the 1M tip).
- This frosting will also cover a 9×13 sheet cake or a round 2-layer 8″ or 9″ cake. Now I’m just thinking about how I want to make a cake with this frosting and then cover it with ganache… Yum!
Enjoy!
Oh, and do you have any requests for other frosting recipes you’d like to see? I’m currently working on caramel but would love any suggestions that you have!
How to Make Peanut Butter Frosting
Peanut Butter Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 1 cup (245 g) creamy peanut butter
- 3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 2 Tablespoons milk
Instructions
- Combine butter and peanut butter in a large bowl and use an electric mixer to beat until creamy and well-combined.1 cup (226 g) unsalted butter, 1 cup (245 g) creamy peanut butter
- Gradually (about ⅓ cup at a time), with mixer on low speed add powdered sugar until completely combined. Be sure to scrape the sides and bottom of the bowl so all ingredients are well-combined.3 cups (375 g) powdered sugar
- Stir in vanilla extract and salt.1 teaspoon vanilla extract, ½ teaspoon salt
- With mixer on low-speed, add milk and stir until well-combined. Gradually increase speed to high and beat for 30 seconds.2 Tablespoons milk
- Spread or pipe frosting onto completely cooled cupcakes or cake.
Notes
Natural Peanut Butter
Since first sharing the recipe I have now tested this recipe with natural peanut butter and it worked just fine, though was a bit gritty.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Julie Hite
Best peanut butter frosting ever. Yum!!! And so easy!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoyed it, Julie! Thank you so much for trying my recipe and for your comment. 🙂
Ero
Hi there! Excellent recipe. My mom used this for my Granny’s 90th birthday party. It was a a MAJOR hit. I just now made it for my sons birthday tomorrow. Fantastic flavour and consistency. Thank you so much for sharing!
Sam
I’m so happy to hear the peanut butter frosting was such a success! It’s one I could just eat with a spoon 😂
Thank you for commenting and letting me know how it turned out, I appreciate it!
Ashley Hallett
I currently AM eating it with a spoon 😉
Sugar Spun Run
You wouldn’t be the first! lol I am so glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
Emily
Do I need to refrigerate this icing since this recipe using milk? Or will it be ok if I leave the cake out on the counter?
Sugar Spun Run
Hi, Emily! If you plan on keeping it more than 2 or 3 days I would store in the refrigerator. I would recommend storing it in an airtight container. I hope that helps! Enjoy! 🙂
Allison
This recipe is AMAZING!!! Use it all the time! if you’re looking for a perfect peanut butter frosting.. this its it!! My question is , what do you do with the leftover if you have any??
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Allison! I am so glad that you enjoyed the peanut butter frosting. I usually eat any leftover icing. lol. I know others have frozen it for next time. 🙂
Elise M Barthalow
Spread between 2 graham crackers. Yum.
Stephanie
I would like to try this recipe – my first homemade frosting! – but I don’t have an electric mixer. Would this turn out okay if I mix it by hand? Any tips on how to achieve the desired texture?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Stephanie! Yes. I recommend using a whisk! You want to mix until the frosting is thick enough to pipe. It should be creamy and smooth. I hope that helps. Enjoy the peanut butter frosting. 🙂
Kat LeMarie
I have made this twice and used it as a frosting for a chocolate cake. It reminds me of a cake from my childhood. Thank you for taking the time to post the recipe!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Kat! I am so happy that the peanut butter frosting brought back so many wonderful childhood memories. 🙂
Barb
Hi Sam, this is a keeper recipe! My daughter made it with natural peanut butter and it turned out perfect!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Barb! I am so glad that you enjoyed the Peanut Butter Frosting. 🙂
Kendrick
Can cream cheese be added to this or would it throw the ratios off ?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Kendrick! I have never added cream cheese to this recipe so it’s hard to say. I would be afraid that it would throw off the consistency. If you give it a try, let me know how it turns out. 🙂
April Pledger
Is this a “crusting” buttercream or will i have to add more sugar to achieve that consistency?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, April. This a smooth buttercream.
April Pledger
Thank you
Arlene
This frosting is the bomb! Absolutely the best peanut butter frosting I ever tasted!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so happy that you enjoyed the peanut butter frosting, Ariene! Thank you! 🙂
Mattie Anderson
Can you up the peanut butter in the recipe if you want more peanut butter taste? I am going to make this soon. Also do you have a recipe for mint frosting
Laurie Bech
Hello!! And a great big Thank you!! I’m fairly new to making frosting! Yours was incredibly delicious!!! The recipe turned out perfectly!! It piped beautifully!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Laurie! I am so glad that you enjoyed the peanut butter frosting. 🙂
Kate
Can I make this frosting ahead of time like a day before I need it?
Sugar Spun Run
Hello, Kate! Yes, you can make the Peanut Butter Frosting ahead of time. I would just recommend storing it in an airtight container. 🙂
Kate
Awesome thank you!
Alicia
Such a great frosting to be able to use bags and make designs with it.
Sam
I am so glad you enjoyed the frosting, Alicia! 🙂
ANGELA
I had used this recipe for a friend’s birthday. And they were a hit. And again using it for birthday cupcakes. This is one of the most requested frosting that I make. Thank you so much!
Sugar Spun Run
I am so glad that you enjoy the peanut butter frosting, Angela! Thank you for taking the time to leave a review, I appreciate it! 🙂
Diane Foley
Absolutely delicious!!!
Sugar Spun Run
Thank you so much, Diane! I am so happy you enjoyed the Peanut Butter Frosting! 🙂
Kim
So yummy