Looking for a delicious frosting recipe to use for your cakes and cupcakes? This creamy peanut butter buttercream frosting recipe is the perfect fluffy frosting for peanut butter lovers. This bakery style Peanut butter buttercream frosting recipe is made with simple ingredients and is perfect for decorating cakes, piping on cupcakes, and topping for brownies!
Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting Recipe
Cupcakes, frosting, and cake are things that we love here, which I am sure you have noticed. For many years I have made my kids homemade birthday cakes and cupcakes and have been using the same recipes for years. These recipes are easy to make and give you the same results as if you went to a bakery, but now you can make them all at home!
I live in a house full of peanut butter lovers, and making a creamy peanut butter buttercream frosting recipe to use when making homemade cupcakes was a must. I created this recipe many years ago and it has been my go-to peanut butter frosting recipe ever since.
If you have never made a homemade frosting then you are totally in for a treat. This peanut butter icing is so easy to make and the flavor is packed with peanut butter.
Easy Buttercream Frosting Recipes
- vanilla buttercream
- marshmallow buttercream
- Caramel Buttercream
- Lemon Buttercream
- Mint Buttercream
- Blackberry Buttercream Frosting
- Chocolate Raspberry buttercream
How much frosting does this recipe make?
This recipe will make enough frosting to frost 24 cupcakes or an 8-inch round cake. You can easily double or triple this recipe if you are needing more frosting.
Can I use this frosting to decorate a cake?
Yes! This frosting is a buttercream so it’s perfect for all of your cake decorating needs. It is the perfect spreading consistency. This frosting is not too soft that it pours off the cake but not too hard that it tears the side of the cake. It is also perfect for piping on top of cupcakes.
What Can I use Peanut butter buttercream Frosting with?
Peanut butter buttercream frosting is a versatile frosting that can be used to top a variety of desserts. Here are a few of our favorite ways to use this delicious homemade frosting recipe:
- Decorating a cake: Peanut butter buttercream frosting pairs perfectly with many cake flavors and it is one of my favorites to use when I am making chocolate birthday cakes. You can spread it over the top of the cake and decorate it with it. It can also be used between layers when making a layer cake. I love making homemade chocolate cake, with this frosting recipe for a delicious Peanut Butter chocolate flavor combination.
- Cupcakes. Use Peanut butter buttercream frosting to top chocolate or vanilla cupcakes for an indulgent twist on a classic.
- Brownies. Spread Peanut butter buttercream frosting over a batch of brownies for a decadent and rich treat.
- Cookies. Peanut butter buttercream frosting can be used as a filling between two cookies or as a frosting on top of your favorite cookie recipe. I like to change things up and use it when making chocolate chip cookie sandwiches to change things up at times. One that is really tasty is peanut butter cookies sandwiches using this peanut butter frosting as the filling.
- Donuts. Use this Peanut butter buttercream frosting as a glaze on top of homemade baked donuts.
Peanut Butter Frosting and Cupcakes/Cake Combination Ideas:
These flavor combinations will also work well if you are making a cake. You can use this frosting to frost the cake and cupcakes and also as a filling.
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcakes. Use this peanut butter frosting with chocolate cupcakes and then add crushed Reese’s cups or Reese’s pieces on top.
- Double Peanut Butter cupcakes. Top fluffy Peanut butter cupcakes with this peanut butter buttercream frosting for the perfect treat for peanut butter lovers who can not get enough peanut butter flavor.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter cupcakes. Top chocolate cupcake with this peanut butter buttercream recipe.
- Peanut Butter and Jelly Cupcakes. Top strawberry cupcakes with this peanut butter frosting for a fun twist on PB and J.
- vanilla cupcakes. Use a homemade vanilla cupcake recipe and top with this easy frosting recipe.
- chocolate chip cupcakes. Make a peanut butter chocolate chip cookie cupcake.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Cake. Use a homemade chocolate cake and make as a double layer cake and place a layer of peanut butter frosting between the layers and then frost with peanut butter frosting.
Cupcake Recipes
- Chocolate Covered Cherry Cupcakes
- Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes
- Peanut Butter And Jelly Cupcakes
- Pink Lemonade Cupcakes
Tips for Making the BEST Peanut Butter Buttercream
If this is your first time making peanut butter frosting, then there are a few tips that will help you make the best peanut butter frosting ever!
- Use room-temperature butter. Let the butter sit at room temperature for about an hour before making the frosting. This will ensure that the butter is soft enough to whip into a smooth and creamy consistency. You will also want to use unsalted butter when making this frosting.
- Add liquid gradually. Adding too much liquid at once can cause the frosting to become too thin and runny.
- Whip the frosting well. Use an electric mixer to whip the frosting until it is light and fluffy. This will incorporate air into the frosting, making it light and airy.
- Adjust the consistency. If your frosting is too thin, add more powdered sugar. If it’s too thick, add a little more liquid. Keep adjusting until you get the desired consistency.
- Use salted butter. If you are using salted butter instead of unsalted butter then just omit the salt when you are making this recipe.
- Smooth Peanut butter! When making this peanut butter frosting you can use your favorite peanut butter, however, you do need to make sure that it is creamy peanut butter and not chunky peanut butter if you are going to use it for piping on top of cupcakes. You can add peanuts to the ending product if you want to. If you are using it as a filling you can use crunchy peanut butter. I do not recommend using the natural peanut butter that separates and you have to mix the oil into it as it will separate when you are making the peanut butter frosting and you want to have a fluffy peanut butter frosting that is not separating when mixing.
How to thin out buttercream if it is too thick
If you find that your buttercream frosting is too thick you can easily thin it out. To thin out the buttercream add a small amount of liquid and mix until the frosting has reached your desired consistency. I start by adding a tablespoon at a time. For this mocha buttercream, you can use coffee, hot water, or heavy cream.
You can also continue to whip the frosting. Whipping the frosting for a few minutes extra will add air to the frosting and will make it lighter and fluffier which can help thin it out.
How do I thicken a thin buttercream frosting?
There are 2 ways to make your frosting thicker if you need to.
- Add more powdered sugar. The most common way to thicken buttercream frosting is by adding more powdered sugar. Start with a small amount, such as a quarter cup, and mix it into the frosting until it is fully incorporated. Continue adding powdered sugar a little at a time until the frosting reaches the desired consistency.
- Chill the frosting. If your buttercream is too soft, you can try chilling it in the refrigerator for a few minutes. This will help the butter to firm up and the frosting to thicken.
How to Store Buttercream frosting
The buttercream can be stored at room temperature for up to three days or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. Buttercream needs to be stored in an airtight container.
How long can buttercream frosting sit out at Room temperature?
I store my buttercream in the fridge and then re-whip it when I want to use it. If you have already frosted a cake or cupcakes this buttercream frosting can sit out for up to 3 days.
How many days in advance can I make Buttercream frosting?
You can make this buttercream frosting 3 days in advance of when you want to use it and store it at room temperature.
How long does buttercream last in the fridge?
You can make this buttercream frosting up to 2 weeks ahead of time if you are going to store it in the fridge.
Can you Freeze Peanut Butter Buttercream?
You can freeze peanut butter buttercream frosting for up to 3 months.
How do you soften refrigerated buttercream frosting?
When you bring it out of the refrigerator let it sit at room temperature for two hours. Then re-whip it for ten minutes to bring it back to life.
Do I have to have a stand mixer?
I prefer using a stand mixer and I love my KitchenAid mixer. However, if you don’t have a stand mixer and only have a hand electric mixer you can make this peanut butter icing recipe still. You will want to use an electric mixer and a large bowl instead of the stand mixer.
Tips for Decorating with Easy Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting
You will want to also check out How to make a cupcake swirl to learn the basics before making your frosting swirl. If you are using different flavored frostings and want them both on top of your cupcake swirled together, check out how to swirl two icing flavors. If you want to layer your frosting flavors, check out the layered frosting swirl!
- Allow cupcakes or cake to cool completely. Before frosting the cupcakes let them cool completely. If you frost cupcakes while they are still warm then the frosting will melt.
- Use a piping bag. Instead of just spreading the frosting on top, cupcakes look so much better when you pipe the frosting ontop instead of spreading it and it is super easy to do.
- Use an angled spatula when decorating a cake.
Peanut Butter Buttercream Ingredients
- Butter. You can use salted butter if you do not have unsalted butter on hand, just omit the salt.
- Peanut butter
- Powdered Sugar
- heavy whipping cream.
- vanilla extract. You can use store bought or homemade vanilla extract.
- pinch of salt.
How to Make Peanut butter Frosting
In the bowl of a stand mixer add the butter and the peanut butter.
Using the paddle attachment on medium speed beat the butter and peanut butter until they are creamed together.
Turn the mixer speed to the lowest setting and slowly add the powdered sugar into the butter mixture and mix until everything is combined.
Use a rubber spatial and scrape the sides of the bowl so everything is at the bottom of the bowl.
Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and salt, and then turn the mixer speed up to medium-high speed.
Continue mixing the frosting for 10 minutes until you have the fluffy and creamy texture of buttercream frosting.
Chocolate and Peanut Butter!
Seriously, chocolate and peanut butter were just meant to go together, the flavor combination is just perfect. Can anyone actually say they don’t? 😉 Check out these great chocolate and peanut butter recipes!
- Buckeye Brownies
- Peanut Butter Blossom cupcakes
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cupcake
- Peanut Butter Bon Bons
Peanut butter buttercream frosting recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup butter at room temperature
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 3 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 4 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- pinch salt
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer add the butter and the peanut butter.
- Using the paddle attachment on medium speed beat the butter and peanut butter until they are creamed together.
- Turn the mixer speed to the lowest setting and slowly add the powdered sugar into the butter mixture and mix until everything is combined.
- Use a rubber spatial and scrape the sides of the bowl so everything is at the bottom of the bowl.
- Add the heavy cream, vanilla extract and salt and then turn the mixer speed up to medium-high speed.
- Continue mixing the frosting for 10 minutes until you have the fluffy and creamy texture of buttercream frosting.
10 Weight Watchers SmartPoints per serving on the Freestyle Program
Comments & Reviews
Audrey says
Best peanut butter icing g I ever made!
My previous recipe didnt always work out, it would get hard and I would waste so much to get the perfect batch.
This was 1st try!
MidgetMomma says
I am so glad you loved it!
Bevey says
I made it minus the heavy whipping cream. I substituted 4 Tbs milk instead and it turned out creamy and yummy! Thank you for the receipe!
Bevey says
I made this minus the heavy whipping cream and substituted milk instead to save calories. It turned out creamy & tasted yummy! Thank you for sharing!
Kim Sanger says
This frosting is perfection! Fluffy, creamy, peanut buttery perfection!
Kim Feighner says
How can you leave out of refrigeration a frosting made with real dairy?
Stephanie says
Your welcome to fridge this recipe if you don’t feel comfortable but with the levels of fat it will be safe out on the counter for a day or two.