Make Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting like a professional baker. It's fluffy, soft and creamy, and holds for piping. With just five simple ingredients, it's easy to make and perfect to make-ahead too. It has intense nut flavor and is delicious atop cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and cookies.
If there's one thing I love, it's frosting. At age 4 I asked my mom, "What's the stuff that holds up the frosting?" Cake was inconsequential to the fluffy, sweet frosting on top.
I clearly knew at that point in life that cake takes second fiddle to delicious icing or frosting, and this easy peanut butter frosting is no exception! It's whipped to perfection, light and fluffy, and an amazing topping for not only cake, but brownies, cookies, and cupcakes, too.
In this article you'll learn:
- Why adding a little cream cheese helps the peanut butter frosting stay smooth, fluffy, and easy to spread.
- The best type of peanut butter to use for a creamy texture and consistent flavor.
- How to adjust the peanut butter cream cheese frosting if it becomes too thick or too loose.
- Simple ways to use this frosting, from cupcakes and layer cakes to brownies and graham cracker sandwiches.
Generated with AI and experts from the Tara Teaspoon team.
Why you'll love this recipe
With all of my years of baking experience, frosting is definitely my favorite food category. This peanut butter flavored frosting is incredibly delicious and really takes the cake! Here's why:
- Smooth and spreadable: Inherently peanut butter frosting is not as smooth as other flavors. The peanut butter can create a stiff mixture that tastes great, but doesn't pipe or spread well. I use butter, as well as a bit of cream cheese to create the perfect spreadable texture.
- Creamy: That's right, this is technically a peanut butter cream cheese frosting! It makes the frosting SO creamy! There is a very slight tang to the icing, but it doesn't overpower the sweetness of rich peanut butter.
- Balanced flavor: No one will notice the cream cheese, but they will know it's dang good frosting. With the powdered sugar and a pinch of salt, the flavor is totally balanced and all you taste is pure peanut butter heaven!
If you love cream cheese frosting, you definitely need to try my Classic Cream Cheese Frosting and Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting as well.
Jump to:
- In this article you'll learn:
- Why you'll love this recipe
- Frosting vs. icing
- Ingredients and substitutions
- How to make peanut butter cream cheese frosting
- Tara's top frosting tips
- Dairy-free frosting
- How to use peanut butter frosting
- Equipment
- Filling a piping bag
- Storage
- FAQ
- More easy frosting recipes
- 📖 Full Recipe
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
Frosting vs. icing
What's the difference between frosting and icing? For most folks, the terms can be used interchangeably. We say "ice a cake," or "put icing on the cookies," and it is most often really frosting.
In food terms, icing is typically thinner, more sugary, and often used as a glaze. Frosting is known for being fluffy, whipped, and thicker.
I like icing for certain kinds of brownies and cookies, as it's a thinner layer of deliciousness. Frosting is great for cupcakes and for building layered cakes.
That's it, I'm sold! I will make ANY frosting you give me, Tara. This peanut butter one is FANTASTIC!
- Britney
Ingredients and substitutions
You'll only need a few simple ingredients to make this creama-licious frosting. Here's a few tips to help you select the best items. Full ingredient amounts can be found in the recipe card.
- Smooth peanut butter: This is the key ingredient for signature, crowd-winning flavor! I don't recommend chunky peanut butter (it won't pipe easily). It's also best to avoid using natural creamy peanut butter because it will change the texture of the frosting. You can try using a different nut butter like cashew butter, but I have not tested this and it will result in a different texture.
- Unsalted butter: Use room temperature unsalted butter to give the frosting its shape and texture. Avoid using salted butter for this recipe because it will make the frosting too salty.
- Cream cheese: Makes for creamy texture and luscious flavor every single time. Make sure it's room temperature before mixing.
- Salt: Brings out all the different flavors in the recipe, making them extra delicious!
- Confectioners' sugar: Provides sweetness, balances the flavor, and helps give the frosting shape and structure.
- Milk: Keeps the texture fluffy and light. Use milk to adjust the consistency of the frosting if it's too thick. You could also use heavy whipping cream.
How to make peanut butter cream cheese frosting
This is such an easy peanut butter frosting recipe! Check out these step-by-step instructions to get started. See recipe card for comprehensive directions.
- Step 1: In the bowl of a stand mixer or using an electric hand mixer, beat cream cheese until very smooth.
- Step 2: Add the softened butter, peanut butter, and salt. Beat together until smooth.
- Step 3: Gradually, or in stages, mix in the confectioners' sugar, scraping down the bottom and sides of the bowl as needed.
- Step 4: Frosting will be thick. Scrape the sides of the bowl with a spatula.
- Step 5: Add a little milk and mix together until your desired consistency is achieved.
- Step 6: The frosting will be smooth and fluffy. Reduce air bubbles by stirring slowly for a few minutes.
Tara's top frosting tips
Use room temperature ingredients. Butter and cream cheese give the frosting its silkiness. To prevent lumps and ensure the best frosting texture, be sure that your ingredients are room temperature prior to mixing! They will take roughly 30 minutes to soften. You'll know they are ready when you can press the outside wrapper gently and leave a slight indentation.
Avoid natural peanut butter. Use traditional creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy rather than natural peanut butter varieties. Natural peanut butter hasn't been homogenized and isn't as creamy. It will make a more grainy, oily icing.
Don't over whip. I keep my mixer on low speed as I add the confectioners' sugar so I don't incorporate too much air. If your frosting has too much air, it will still taste good but won't look as smooth.
Remove air bubbles: It's natural for air bubbles to form in the frosting during the mixing process. To get a smoother texture, beat the frosting on a lower speed for several minutes after all the sugar and milk have been incorporated; this slow mixing will release the air trapped in the frosting.
Adjust the consistency. If your frosting is too loose, add more confectioner's sugar; if it's too stiff, add a little more milk.
Dairy-free frosting
You can make this recipe dairy-free by using vegan butter like Miyokos vegan butter. You'll also want to replace the cream cheese and milk with your favorite non-diary alternatives.
How to use peanut butter frosting
I love using this recipe to frost cakes! It pairs especially well with chocolate cake; it's the classic combo!
Take the combination a step further and use this whipped frosting for chocolate cookies, cupcakes, and brownies.
Or, keep things simple and pair it with sugar cookies, vanilla cupcakes, or even sandwich it between two graham crackers!
Equipment
Use a stand mixer or hand mixer to make this bakery-quality frosting fluffy and delicious.
If you plan to pipe the frosting, try these disposable piping bags for easy cleanup.
You'll also need some piping tips. These large tips are nice for piping frosting onto cupcakes, and this basic set of piping tips is perfect for designs.
Filling a piping bag
The easiest way to fill a piping bag is to place it inside a tall glass and fold the top down over the glass rim like a cuff. Now the glass will hold your bag and keep it steady so you can use both hands to fill it. Spoon the frosting into the bag, filling it only about halfway. Overfilling will make the bag hard to control and could cause frosting to leak from the top. Unfold the cuff, twist the top of the bag to seal it, and gently squeeze downward to push the frosting toward the tip to start piping.
Storage
This peanut butter icing can be kept in an airtight container or ziptop bag at room temperature for 24 hours, in the refrigerator for up to a week, or frozen for up to 3 months.
If frozen, thaw overnight in the fridge. Refrigerated frosting should be brought to room temperature and then stirred until smooth before using. If the frosting looks deflated at all, simply whip it with a hand mixer for a minute or two to revive.
FAQ
Yes, the homemade peanut butter frosting can be frozen for up to 3 months. When ready to use, thaw it overnight in the fridge. Then bring it to room temperature on the counter. If it looks deflated, whip it with a hand mixer for a minute or two on low to restore its fluffy texture.
I recommend using traditional creamy peanut butter, like Jif or Skippy, to make this recipe. The smooth, homogenized peanut butter will give your frosting the best texture. Natural peanut butter is much more oily, has a tendency to separate, and is not as smooth.
This recipe yields almost 4 cups of frosting (3 ¾ cups) and will comfortably frost most baked goods.
- An 8- or 9-inch two-layer cake, with frosting filling between the layers and a full outer coat needs about 5 cups. So double this recipe!
- One 9-by-13-inch sheet cake, pan of brownies, or bar cookies with a nice, even layer of frosting needs 3 to 4 cups frosting.
- 24 lightly frosted cupcakes or cookies needs 4 to 5 cups frosting, and 12 generously frosted cupcakes with bakery-style swirls on top needs about 3 cups.
Check the peanut butter you are using! If you are using a natural peanut butter it will cause the frosting to be extra oily, grainy, and separate. Use a standard peanut butter like Jif and Skippy.
Your butter and cream cheese may have been warmer than room temperature and melted into the frosting. Chill the frosting, then try beating it again while cold to revive some of it's texture.
More easy frosting recipes
If frosting is your favorite food category too, don't miss these no-fail recipes:
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📖 Full Recipe
Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- 4 ounces cream cheese (room temperature)
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter (not natural style)
- ½ cup unsalted butter (room temperature)
- ¼ teaspoon fine salt
- 3 cups confectioners' sugar
- 2½ tablespoons milk
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl beat the cream cheese on medium speed until smooth using a hand mixer, or in a mixer using the paddle attachment.
- Add the peanut butter, butter, and salt. Don't overmix or aerate the mixture too much.
- Turn the mixer to low and begin mixing in the confectioners’ sugar a bit at a time, scraping down the sides and bottom of the bowl. The mixture will be stiff. Add the milk and beat until smooth.
- If piping, transfer frosting to a piping bag fitted with a #825 or #826 open star tip. Pipe or spread frosting on cupcakes, cookies, cake or brownies.
- Frosting can be kept in an airtight container or ziptop bag at room temperature for up to a day, refrigerated up to a week, or frozen for 3 months. Thaw frozen frosting in the fridge overnight. Bring frosting to room temperature and stir to smooth before using.
Notes
- Don't over whip. I keep my mixer on medium speed as I add the confectioners' sugar so I don't incorporate too much air. If there is too much air the frosting will still taste good, but won't look as smooth.
- Frosting too loose? Add more confectioner's sugar if you'd like the frosting to be more stiff.
Nutrition Per Serving
Tara Teaspoon
I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!
Safira Adam says
I have been looking for a good peanut butter frosting for cupcakes. My son loves peanut butter. Making this soon!
Tara Teaspoon says
Thanks for commenting Safira! So glad you found my recipe and I look forward to hearing how you liked it.
Veena Azmanov says
This Peanut Butter frosting is unique and flavorful. Sure to try it out with my next batch of cupcakes.
Cat says
Can you make this recipe ahead of time and store in fridge? Thanks !
Tara says
Absolutely! I do it all the time.
When you want to use it bring it to room temperature and stir it well.
Mia says
Delicious! Thank you, Tara Teaspoon!
Nikki says
Love this frosting. I was looking for a recipe with cream cheese and landed on this one. Super fluffy, and easy to frost with!❤❤
Tara Teaspoon says
So happy to hear it! It's definitely a crowd-pleaser!
Tara Teaspoon says
Awesome! Glad it was a success.
Britney F says
That's it, I'm sold! I will make ANY frosting you give me, Tara. This peanut butter one is FANTASTIC!
Mary says
This smooth, silky, fluffy deliciousness is absolutely one of my favorite frostings! Peanut butter and ANYTHING chocolate is divine! Brownies, cookies, cupcakes...Oh my!!!