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    Home » Recipes » Desserts » Peanut Butter Buttercream Icing Recipe

    Last updated: Mar 31, 2021 by Melissa Riker · 38 Comments

    Peanut Butter Buttercream Icing Recipe

    Jump to Recipe
    peanut butter buttercream frosting on chocolate cupcake

    Peanut butter lovers, this recipe is for you! Smooth, creamy Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting is the perfect way to top chocolate cake or cupcakes!

    peanut butter buttercream frosting on chocolate cupcake

    When I need a quick and easy frosting with a chocolate cake, this Peanut Butter Buttercream frosting is my go-to. Once you try it, you'll love it too!

    What is Buttercream?

    We all know that Buttercream is a type of frosting (or icing depending on how you grew up referring to it!) for cakes and cupcakes, but what exactly is it? Spoon University describes buttercream as the following:

    It's made by mixing together some type of fat (usually butter, but sometimes margarine or shortening), confectioner's sugar, and milk or cream until the mixture is fluffy and smooth.

    Spoon University

    Buttercream icing can be served as is or many different flavors can be created with add-ins. Today's recipe is my favorite flavor of buttercream though!

    Ingredients

    This recipe is SUPER easy and requires only 5 simple ingredients:

    • powdered sugar
    • butter
    • vanilla extract
    • heavy cream
    • peanut butter
    • peanut butter buttercream frosting ingredients
    • mixing peanut butter buttercream frosting
    • parchment paper

    Step by step

    See the step by step web story here.

    1. First, you'll mix the peanut butter and butter together with a hand mixer or in a stand mixer (affiliate link).
    2. Once it is blended add the powdered sugar a cup at a time.
    3. Then, stir in the cream and vanilla and you're all finished!

    You can pipe this frosting on or spread it, either way, it's the perfect complement to chocolate cake or cupcakes!

    peanut butter buttercream frosting on chocolate cupcake

    Tips for best results

    • I recommend using smooth peanut butter if you are piping this frosting so you don't clog the piping tip. If you will be spreading it, creamy or chunky will both work fine.
    • I DO NOT recommend natural peanut butters for this recipe (the kinds that separates) it will give you an oily result that is not great.
    • Other nut butters would work in this recipe as long as they have the same consistency.
    • I do not recommend trying to color this frosting as the brown will muddy any food coloring you add.

    FAQs

    Does this frosting have to be refrigerated?

    The small amount of cream in the frosting is stabilized by the sugar, so you can keep this frosting at room temperature up to 3 days.

    How much icing does this make?

    The recipe below yields enough to frost a 2 layer cake 8 or 9 inch cake, a 9 by 13 inch sheet cake, or 24 cupcakes with some extra for eating with a spoon 🙂

    This is the easiest, most delicious frosting in the world! Can you tell I like it???

    How to Adjust a Buttercream Recipe

    It can easily be adjusted from its original smooth creamy consistency to a more firm consistency by increasing the amount of peanut butter & sugar while decreasing the amount of butter. 

    Don't want it too sweet?  Decrease the amount of powdered sugar.  It can be tweaked to accommodate any taste and can't really be messed up!

    peanut butter buttercream frosting on chocolate cupcake

    You might also like these recipes:

    • Peanut Butter Pie
    • PB Chocolate Chip Cookie Bars
    • PB Blossoms
    • Buckeye Balls
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    Please comment and rate this recipe below!

    Print
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    chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter buttercream frosting on blue napkin

    Peanut Butter Buttercream Icing Recipe

    ★★★★★ 5 from 7 reviews
    • Author: Melissa Riker
    • Prep Time: 5 minutes
    • Total Time: 5 minutes
    • Yield: 24 1x
    • Category: dessert
    • Method: none
    • Cuisine: American
    Print Recipe
    Pin Recipe

    Description

    Smooth, creamy Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting is the perfect way to top chocolate cake or cupcakes!


    Ingredients

    Units Scale
    • 2 cups unsalted butter
    • 1 lb. powdered sugar
    • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
    • 2-3 tablespoons heavy cream

    Instructions

    1. Place butter, and peanut butter in a mixing bowl and beat together with a hand mixer.
    2. Add powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time, until fully incorporated.
    3. Stir in cream and vanilla and beat until frosting is smooth and creamy!

    Notes

    • Can be stored at room temperature up to 3 days
    • Adjust for thickness by varying the amount of sugar and/or heavy cream

    Keywords: peanut butter buttercream, peanut butter frosting, peanut butter icing

    Did you make this recipe?

    Share a photo and tag @thehappierhomemaker — we can't wait to see what you've made!

    This recipe was originally published in May 2014 and updated with new photos and additional information in August 2019.

    « Easy Grilled Peppers Recipe
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ivory says

      December 02, 2021 at 1:16 am

      I made this earlier tonight, and everything was amazing. All I can say is make this recipe, and enjoy, we did. yum!!! Thanks for sharing

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    2. Elyse says

      August 20, 2021 at 9:11 pm

      Just made this and subbed out peanut butter powder for regular peanut butter (I used the Naked PB brand but I suppose any will do) and it was a game changer. So so fluffy and airy it was unreal. My family devoured most of it and it didn't even make it on the cupcakes.

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        August 30, 2021 at 2:36 pm

        So glad you liked it!

        Reply
    3. Shari says

      June 30, 2021 at 10:20 am

      That’s a whole lotta butter! Could I cut down to 1 cup?

      Reply
    4. Amy G says

      May 09, 2021 at 8:09 am

      I have used this recipe twice now (swirled with chocolate fudge frosting) for my Reese’s peanut butter cup cupcakes and it is truly a keeper! I’m also using it to make buttercream truffles for Mother’s Day and they are flawless! I just piped a bunch onto a parchment lined cookie sheet, popped into the freezer to firm up a bit, rolled them into a round shape, and dipped in melted semi sweet chocolate. Can’t wait to give them out! Thanks for an amazing recipe!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        May 12, 2021 at 9:44 am

        I'm so glad you like it, those cupcakes sound amazing!

        Reply
    5. silk says

      April 02, 2021 at 8:41 pm

      I made this 10 days ago and had it in the fridge (not freezer) is it still safe to put on cupcakes? Not sure shelf life in fridge.
      BTW Delicious recipe 🙂

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        April 03, 2021 at 7:40 pm

        I wouldn't keep it more than 5-6 days in the fridge, if I were you I'd make a new batch

        Reply
    6. Kimberly Consolo says

      February 19, 2021 at 10:50 am

      Can salted butter be used?

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        February 20, 2021 at 3:16 pm

        It will alter the final taste a teeny bit but it should be fine.

        Reply
    7. Stephanie says

      February 13, 2021 at 12:18 pm

      Can you not use the whipping cream? I forgot to get it at the store. I realize it's only a couple tablespoons so I wanted to check first.

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        February 20, 2021 at 3:20 pm

        you should be able to substitute milk without much difference Stephanie

        Reply
    8. Lisa says

      October 17, 2020 at 8:43 am

      Can this recipe be halved?

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        October 22, 2020 at 8:53 am

        Yes, it can easily be halved or doubled

        Reply
    9. Sharon says

      October 09, 2020 at 3:24 pm

      Can leftover frosting be frozen?

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        October 09, 2020 at 7:50 pm

        You can freeze it in an airtight container up to 3 months. When you want to use it again, let it thaw in the fridge overnight. Great question, I'll update the recipe to add that in!

        Reply
    10. Sonia says

      October 06, 2020 at 7:18 pm

      Yummy! It is so delicious!! Thank you!!

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        October 09, 2020 at 7:51 pm

        I'm so glad you liked it!

        Reply
    11. Helen says

      June 17, 2020 at 9:44 am

      So. Darn. Good!!!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    12. autumn says

      August 14, 2019 at 4:22 pm

      Wow! Delish!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
      • Lisa says

        June 29, 2020 at 11:40 am

        I added a bit more peanut butter to this recipe but otherwise it turned out great!

        ★★★★★

        Reply
        • Melissa Riker says

          June 29, 2020 at 12:44 pm

          I'm glad you liked it Lisa!

          Reply
        • Megan says

          June 17, 2021 at 1:53 pm

          Can you milk instead of heavy cream?

          Reply
    13. Emma says

      August 05, 2019 at 10:39 am

      Delicious!

      ★★★★★

      Reply
    14. Trisha D. says

      May 12, 2014 at 5:28 pm

      Oh my goodness peanut butter frosting... my mouth is totally watering. Now to dig through the cupboards as I'm sure we have most of these ingredients on-hand!!

      Reply
    15. jenny@birdsandsoap says

      May 01, 2014 at 7:33 pm

      Yum! Pinned!!

      Reply
      • Erica @ For the Love of Decorating! says

        May 01, 2014 at 11:13 pm

        Thanks for pinning Jenny 🙂

        Reply
    16. Jessi @ Practically Functional says

      May 01, 2014 at 7:22 pm

      Oh yum, that looks super delicious! Pinning!

      Reply
      • Erica @ For the Love of Decorating! says

        May 01, 2014 at 11:17 pm

        Thanks for pinning Jessi 🙂

        Reply
    17. keri @ shaken together says

      May 01, 2014 at 6:16 pm

      Yes, I'll take two! That frosting sounds beyond delicious!!

      Reply
      • Erica @ For the Love of Decorating! says

        May 01, 2014 at 11:17 pm

        Come on over Keri 🙂 LOL

        Reply
    18. Carolina says

      May 01, 2014 at 6:06 pm

      That looks delicious! Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Erica @ For the Love of Decorating! says

        May 01, 2014 at 11:15 pm

        And they taste better then they look 😉

        Reply
        • Michele Johnson says

          January 06, 2021 at 5:56 am

          REALLY GOOD ON SPICE CAKE!!!!

          Reply
    19. Kristen @ Down Home Inspiration says

      May 01, 2014 at 3:48 pm

      Wow, way to make me need some cupcakes! This sounds so yummy, Erica!

      Reply
      • Erica @ For the Love of Decorating! says

        May 01, 2014 at 11:11 pm

        Ha! Every time I look at these pictures, I want to go eat one 😉

        Erica

        Reply
    20. Rachel @ BubblyNatureCreations.com says

      May 01, 2014 at 3:22 pm

      You are speaking my language! Those look amazing!

      Reply
      • Erica @ For the Love of Decorating! says

        May 01, 2014 at 11:12 pm

        Thanks Rachel 🙂

        Reply

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