Peanut Butter Frosting
If you're a peanut butter lover, then this frosting recipe is going to be your new bestie. Peanut butter frosting is creamy, flavorful and the absolute BEST topping for a fluffy chocolate cupcakes.
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Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe
I'm not sure if I'll ever understand the people who don't like peanut butter. I mean, peanut butter cookies, a PB & J, and peanut butter fudge are quite possibly some of the best creations out there. Of course, this peanut butter frosting is right up there too.
Last time I made chocolate cupcakes, I decided to whip up peanut butter buttercream frosting to top them with. When I tell you it was like a warm, fluffy peanut butter cups - just SO yum!
Now, I make peanut butter frosting whenever I get the chance. It's just so creamy and sweet, I can't resist an excuse to make a batch. And once you taste it, you'll understand why.
Homemade frosting is so much better than the store-bought stuff. Cinnamon frosting and strawberry frosting are go-to options for lots of my baked goods, and this peanut butter frosting is perfect too. I'll never buy pre-made again!
Why You'll Love this Recipe
I could list a million reasons why this simple peanut butter frosting recipe is so easily loveable:
- Making homemade frosting is the best way to ensure that there are no artificial flavorings, dyes, and other funky ingredients.
- Whip up a batch of frosting in just a few minutes. While you have your sweets baking in the oven, you can make this recipe.
- The irresistible peanut butter flavor will elevate an layer cake, sheet cake, cupcake, or cookie. Your favorite cake recipe will transform into a bakery-quality dessert!
Ingredients
These simple ingredients are all you need to make this delicious frosting:
- peanut butter
- unsalted butter softened
- powdered sugar
- vanilla extract
- heavy cream
Substitutions and Variations
You can use milk or half and half in place of heavy cream if you prefer. A dairy free substitute will work as well! However, I do not recommend subbing in a dairy free butter alternative.
Salted butter would also work in this recipe. It'll add a bit of a salty sweet touch to this frosting!
How to Make Peanut Butter Frosting
Follow these simple steps to make easy peanut butter frosting. It's always a big hit:
In a large bowl with a hand mixer, or the bowl of a stand mixer, beat together the softened butter and peanut butter together until creamy and smooth. Gradually add the powdered sugar, mixing well after each addition.
Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract, and beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, you can add an extra tablespoon of heavy cream or milk to reach your desired consistency.
Once the cupcakes are completely cool, add the frosting to a piping bag and pipe on top of each one. You can also spread it on with an icing knife.
How to Use Peanut Butter Frosting
This creamy, fluffy frosting goes well on so many of your favorite cupcakes. From chocolate cupcakes, to vanilla cupcakes, to these pretty confetti cupcakes, peanut butter frosting is tasty on them all.
I love to use this frosting on M&M cookie bars and double chocolate chip cookies too. It'd make buckeye bars extra extra peanut buttery!
Believe it or not, you can use this fluffy peanut butter frosting as a dip for pretzels as well. Or even rim a glass with this frosting and some sprinkles when you're making a cocktail like a sugar cookie martini.
Tips for Success
These few tips should ensure that you get the best peanut butter frosting:
- If you are using a stand mixer to make this frosting, then use the paddle attachment when you beat the butter. Once you add the milk, start using the whisk attachment.
- Feel free to adjust the levels of powdered sugar and heavy cream until the frosting reaches your desired consistency. Powdered sugar will thicken the frosting and milk will thin it out.
- When piping the buttercream, make sure the heat from your hands doesn't make the frosting too warm. If it gets warm, it can lose it's structure and become too thin to pipe.
FAQ
Store leftover peanut butter frosting in the fridge for a day or two. Desserts that are topped with buttercream also store best in the fridge since the frosting contains a bit of milk
More often than not, natural peanut butter separates the oil and nut butter quite drastically. It can be really difficult to thoroughly mix the two back together, which creates an oily peanut butter. For that reason, it is best not to use a natural peanut butter that is really oil. If you've found one that works similarly to most popular peanut butter brands, then feel free to try it out in this recipe!
More Frosting Recipes
Did you make this recipe?
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Peanut Butter Frosting
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup peanut butter
- ¼ cup unsalted butter softened
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup heavy cream
Instructions
- In a large bowl, beat the softened butter and peanut butter together until creamy and smooth.
- Gradually add the powdered sweetener, mixing well after each addition.
- Add the heavy cream and vanilla extract, and beat until the frosting is smooth and fluffy. If the frosting is too thick, you can add an extra tablespoon of cream or milk to reach your desired consistency.
- Once the cupcakes are completely cool, spread or pipe the frosting on top of each one.
Nutrition
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