Peanut butter is more than just a staple spread found in everyone’s pantry – it’s a highly versatile food. From its use in savory sauces to a classic peanut butter and jelly sandwich, is there anything peanut butter can’t do?
If you prefer peanut butter as a sweet, buttery topping for your baked goods, then peanut butter buttercream frosting is a must-try. Not only is this frosting delicious, but it is also relatively easy to make and can be used to finish off all of your favorite treats.
In this article, we’ll explain how to make peanut butter buttercream frosting to top off your favorite desserts. We’ll also explain how to store this delicious frosting and give you additional ideas on how to use it.
What Is Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting?
Since buttercream frosting is the base of peanut butter buttercream frosting, let’s start by explaining what it is.
Buttercream frosting is a light, airy frosting primarily made out of — you guessed it — butter. This differentiates buttercream from other types of frostings that are mainly made from a sugar base, such as royal icing. But don’t be fooled — buttercream frosting can be just as sweet as other icings.
As a result, buttercream frosting also has a different texture from other icings, specifically icings meant to harden. Using butter in buttercream frosting results in a thick and fluffy consistency for your frosting.
This creamy peanut butter frosting is essentially regular buttercream frosting but with, as the name suggests, peanut butter. This creates a rich nutty flavor that compliments all of your baked treats.
Be warned; this frosting isn’t for those looking for a healthy dessert! The key to this delicious frosting is an abundance of fat from the butter and peanut butter, with a generous amount of sugar for sweetness.
How to Make Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting
You want to avoid making your buttercream frosting too dense or causing it to have a gritty texture.
Without further ado, here’s how to make peanut butter buttercream frosting.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
- 1 cup of creamy peanut butter (must be creamy or smooth peanut butter, not crunchy peanut butter)
- 3 cups of powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp of milk
- 1 tsp of vanilla extract
- ½ tsp of salt
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the peanut butter and softened butter. Beat using a hand or stand mixer on medium-high until fluffy.
- Lower to low speed and gradually add the powdered sugar.
- Add vanilla extract, milk, and salt, and beat for an additional minute.
- Prepare for spreading by adding to a piping bag or store in an airtight container.
If you want to switch up this peanut butter frosting recipe, add other ingredients, such as cocoa powder for a chocolate peanut butter frosting.
Now that you have your peanut buttery frosting, the only question is how you will use it. Let’s talk about how to use this rich frosting to get your creativity flowing.
Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting Uses
As with peanut butter, peanut butter buttercream frosting is exceptionally versatile. There are many ways that you can use this frosting in your baking.
Let’s start with the obvious. One favorite combination is peanut butter and chocolate. Knowing this, it’s only natural to use your peanut butter frosting on your chocolate desserts. For desserts, you may want to add the decadence of creamy peanut butter buttercream frosting to include:
- Chocolate cake or cupcakes
- Brownies
- Ice cream
- Cookies
If you’re a huge peanut butter lover, you can use this frosting for your peanut butter desserts, such as a peanut butter cake or chocolate peanut butter brownies. Add peanut butter chips on top for a stronger peanut butter flavor and some texture.
Buttercream frosting is also easy to spread and decorate your desserts. If decorating a cake, use an offset spatula to spread your frosting in an even layer. If you’re decorating cupcakes, add your frosting into a piping bag that allows you to intricately decorate your cupcakes.
Let’s discuss how to store your peanut butter buttercream frosting.
How to Store Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting
Properly storing peanut butter buttercream frosting is essential to preserve your frosting for as long as possible. The good news is that the extra frosting you may be left with is easy to store until your next batch of cupcakes.
To store your frosting, put it in an airtight container and keep it in the fridge. Although you should use up your frosting within one week of making it, it could last in your fridge for up to two weeks. If you use your frosting to decorate a cake, the cake can stay out for up to three days, after which you should transfer it to the fridge.
To use your frosting after refrigerating, remove it a little in advance to let it settle at room temperature and return to its original consistency.
You can also store your buttercream frosting in the freezer for up to two months. Just be sure to let it thaw at room temperature before use!
Peanut Butter Buttercream Frosting: Your New Favorite Frosting
While peanut butter buttercream frosting may not be ideal for all situations — such as vegan cooking or to top cupcakes for your child’s school — it’s worth trying if you can. Not only is this rich, nutty frosting delicious, but it’s also relatively easy to make.
Be warned that it’s hard to go back once you try this frosting!