Easy to make 4 ingredient creamy peanut butter buttercream frosting is a dessert staple to pair with chocolate cake, white cupcakes, homemade sugar cookie bars or brownies!

peanut butter frosting in white bowl with spoon

We’re sharing another dessert staple today!

Peanut butter frosting with real peanut butter is an essential recipe for a baker! It pairs well with so many cakes and cupcakes – further down in the post I’ll be sharing my recommendations.

Fluffy peanut butter buttercream is incredibly easy to make and most likely you have all the ingredients on hand already!

Plus peanut butter frosting’s BFF is chocolate frosting! Use them together on any cake or cupcake! You will also love our chocolate whipped cream!

how to make peanut butter frosting collage

What is buttercream?

Buttercream is a type of frosting that calls for creaming butter and powdered sugar together to make a fluffy frosting.

Buttercream is the typical frosting that you see paired with cakes and cupcakes.

How to make peanut butter frosting

Place room temperature unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter in a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer on medium and beat the butter for 1 minute, until whipped and fluffy.

Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beat again on low for 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until everything is incorporated.

If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or heavy cream, and beat until creamy.

peanut butter frosting on chocolate cupcake

What to pair with peanut butter buttercream?

peanut butter frosting on rose gold whisk with white background

Tips for making creamy peanut butter frosting

  • Use room temperature butter because it whips more easily and produces a fluffier frosting
  • Whip it! Want fluffy frosting? Whipping is the key!
  • Use creamy peanut butter. I don’t recommend using natural peanut butter.

Is peanut butter frosting gluten free?

Yes!!

Does peanut butter frosting need to be refrigerated? How long does frosting keep?

You can store frosting in a sealed container on the counter for up to 2 days.

However, you can store frosting in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Before using, place the frosting on the counter and allow it to come to room temperature. Give it a quick whip with an electric mixer before using.

Why do I have air bubbles in my frosting and how can I get rid of them?

Air bubbles form when whipping the frosting, which is a necessary step in making buttercream! But you can reduce the amount of air bubbles by beating the frosting on low speed for a minute or by hand mixing the frosting. You are essentially pushing out the air bubbles.

Peanut Butter Frosting

4.26 from 94 ratings
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Yield: 2 -3 cups
Easy to make 4 ingredient creamy peanut butter buttercream frosting is a dessert staple to pair with chocolate cake, white cupcakes, homemade sugar cookie bars or brownies!

Ingredients

  • 2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, 1 cup
  • ¾ cup creamy peanut butter
  • 2-3 cups powdered sugar
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • dash of milk or heavy cream if frosting becomes too thick

Instructions
 

  • Place room temperature unsalted butter and creamy peanut butter in a mixing bowl. Use an electric mixer on medium and beat the butter for 1 minute, until whipped and fluffy. 
  • Add in the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, beat again on low for 1-2 minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl, until everything is incorporated. 
  • If the frosting is too thick, add a tablespoon of milk or heavy cream, and beat until creamy. Spread or pipe onto cake, cupcakes, or brownies. 

Notes

How long does chocolate frosting keep?

You can store frosting in a sealed container on the counter for up to 2 days.
However, you can store frosting in a sealer container in the fridge for up to 1 week. Before using, place the frosting on the counter and allow it to come to room temperature. Give it a quick whip with an electric mixer before using.

Why do I have air bubbles in my frosting and how can I get rid of them?

Air bubbles form when whipping the frosting, which is a necessary step in making buttercream! But you can reduce the amount of air bubbles by beating the frosting on low speed for a minute after mixing everything well or by hand mixing the frosting. You are essentially pushing out the air bubbles. 
Cuisine: American
Course: Dessert
Author: Beth
Serving: 2tablespoons, Calories: 231kcal, Carbohydrates: 17g, Protein: 3g, Fat: 18g, Saturated Fat: 9g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g, Monounsaturated Fat: 6g, Trans Fat: 1g, Cholesterol: 30mg, Sodium: 57mg, Potassium: 83mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 16g, Vitamin A: 353IU, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 1mg
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