Easy Fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting, from scratch quick and simple peanut butter frosting recipe. This creamy frosting is the best for brownies, cakes, cookies, and anything else you can think of!
If you remember my super popular Money Cake, you probably remember the money stuffed inside, but it really was a delicious chocolate cake and Peanut Butter Frosting. This frosting is great on any kind of cake, cookies, brownies, cupcakes, or anything else you can think of. It’s quick and easy to make, and fluffy and creamy!
This frosting is a simple peanut butter buttercream frosting with ingredients you probably have around. Best ever and way better than any store-bought frosting. Check out this delicious Whipped Fluffy Cream Cheese Frosting too.
Peanut Butter Frosting Ingredients
- Peanut butter
- Butter
- Vanilla
- Salt
- Powdered sugar
- Milk
How to Make Peanut Butter Frosting
- Beat together peanut butter and softened butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and well combined. Beat in vanilla and salt. Then slowly beat in powdered sugar a little at a time.
- Beat in milk a little at a time until frosting is smooth and creamy. You may not need all of the milk, or you might need slightly more depending on how thin you’d like your frosting.
(Full printable recipe card is at bottom of post.)
Quick Tips for Best Results
- Use commercial creamy peanut butter rather than refrigerated or natural types of peanut butter. Natural types of peanut butter tend to make a less smooth and clumpy frosting. You could use chunky peanut butter, but I think I’d add additional chopped peanuts so that’s it’s extra chunky and not just a few random little chunks.
- Add the milk just a little at a time. Sometimes you may need more or less. I generally use lowfat milk, but a higher fat content like heavy whipping cream will result in a fluffier creamier peanut butter frosting.
- Be sure your butter is softened to room temperature. Cold butter will lead to a lumpy frosting.
- Use powdered sugar (confectioners’ sugar) NOT granulated sugar.
Peanut Butter Frosting FAQ
Can I use natural peanut butter?
No, I do not recommend natural types of peanut butter. Use a commercial peanut butter like Jif or Skippy for a creamy smooth texture.
Can I substitute other flavorings for the vanilla extract?
YES! Experiment with other flavors such as almond extract or even a little of your favorite liqueur would be great too.
My frosting is lumpy, what did I do wrong?
You probably didn’t let your butter soften enough or had big clumps of powdered sugar. If you already have it mixed together I’d suggest beating more to help get the lumps out as much as possible.
My frosting is too thin, what did I do wrong?
You may have added too much milk. Try adding more peanut butter and/or powdered sugar to thicken.
My frosting is too thick, what do I do?
Try adding more milk, just a little at a time and keep beating.
What can I use peanut butter frosting for?
It’s great on cakes (chocolate cake, oatmeal cake, banana cake, vanilla cake, etc.), brownies, cupcakes, cookies (even cookie sandwiches), or even as a dip for crackers (like graham crackers).
Other Recipes You May Enjoy:
- Cannoli Cake – The cannoli frosting is awesome!
- Chunky S’mores Dipped Cupcakes – Check out the s’mores influenced frosting on these.
- Pumpkin Ale Cupcakes – The homemade cream cheese frosting is amazing!
- French Buttercream – a little more work, but so worth the effort.
Hope you enjoy this homemade fluffy Peanut Butter Frosting recipe!
This easy Peanut Butter Frosting would also be great with my Brownie Cake or Chocolate Stout Cupcakes, yum!
Peanut Butter Frosting
Ingredients
- 4 cups smooth peanut butter
- 2 cups unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/8 teaspoon salt
- 2 pounds powdered sugar (1 bag)
- 1/2 cup milk
Instructions
- Beat together peanut butter and softened butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth and well combined. Beat in vanilla and salt. Then slowly beat in powdered sugar a little at a time.
- Beat in milk a little at a time until frosting is smooth and creamy. You may not need all of the milk, or you might need slightly more depending on how thin you’d like your frosting.
Notes
- 2 cups peanut butter
- 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- pinch of salt
- 1 pound (about 3 3/4 cups) powdered sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- pinch of salt
- 1/2 pound (about 1 3/4 cups + 2 Tablespoons) powdered sugar
- 2 Tablespoons milk
Nutrition:
(Nutrition data is provided when available for informational purposes only and calculated using an online nutritional calculator. For the most accurate information please calculate based on specific ingredients and brands you use as well as any changes you made to the recipe. I am not a certified nutritionist or registered dietician and any nutritional information provided should only be used as a general guideline and estimate.)
About Lisa Huff
Lisa Huff is a Cookbook Author, Freelance Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Blogger/Writer, and award-winning home chef. She loves creating unique recipes from healthy to decadent including cocktails, appetizers, main dishes, dessert recipes and more and has appeared on various shows, publications, and websites.
I’m making this for my sister who is a massive Reese’s fan. I see you recommend Skippy or Jif but have you ever tried it with the Reeses brand peanut butter?
I have not, but as long as it’s a similar consistency (and not like a “natural” peanut butter) it should be ok.
Took cupcakes with this frosting on them to a reunion. They were gone before we had dinner !!! Def. A keeper !!
Ha! Love that people ate them before dinner! My kind of people. :)
Can I freeze this icing ?
I think it would be ok and freeze well!
Just made this for my peanut-butter-loving fiancé’s birthday cookie cake and can’t wait to surprise him! I did color it blue so he doesn’t know it’s peanut butter but, having done some of my own taste testing… YUM!
Great, thanks! Happy birthday to your fiancé!
Can you freeze this
It should be ok.
I just made this and though it is good I feel like I can taste the powdered sugar. Do you think I didn’t mix it in slow enough? Or do you have substitution ideas? The consistency is great. I think I just wish it were creamier. More milk maybe? I made the 1/4 recipe. I was so glad that was an option. Thank you!
Well you could add more peanut butter or could add a little milk (if it’s thick…). I’d suggest a peanut butter like regular Skippy or Jif for best results. If you’re getting clumps of powdered sugar that you’re tasting, you could also try sifting the powdered sugar next time.
Oo man this is really good icing!! I usually don’t make my own icing but thought I try this.. I only made 1/4 of this recipe bc I needed it for a 8×8 square cake pan ( its only my husband and I) didn’t want a big cake pan..to much. But it covered it nice. Will definitely be keeping this recipe and making it again!! ????????????
Perfect compliment to our chocolate Easter bunny cupcake cake.
A chocolate Easter bunny cupcake cake sounds adorable!!
It was very good! Super fluffy and creamy. Everyone loved it. (Used heavy whipping cream instead of milk)
Can you make this and frost the cake then do the piped peaks the next day? If so, how would you store it? TIA
Yes that should work ok. You could probably just store the frosting in a container on the counter but I’m paranoid and would store in the fridge. You might need to soften it to room temperature though first before piping.
I think this sounds fabulous! I’ve pinned it to my Frosting & Icing board to share with the followers there. They’ll love it too, I’m sure.
Miy frosting was very heavy and oily. What did I do wrong? Thanks
Oh no, so sorry it didn’t work for you. I would guess it was the type of peanut butter you used. I’d use a commercial brand like creamy Jif and not a natural type peanut butter.
Love your tips to help make this frosting extra fluffy! Looks perfect swirled on top of that cake!
This frosting. Oh my goodness. This worked perfectly on the brownies! Everybody loved, this is a keeper. Thank you!
Mmmm! Gimme a spoon! This frosting looks perfect!
I don’t just want a cake with this frosting, I NEED a cake with this frosting!