A simple and delicious peanut butter cream cheese frosting can really make your chocolate cakes and brownies complete. With just a few ingredients and a few minutes of work, you can have a perfect homemade buttercream for practically anything.
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This is the BEST peanut butter cream cheese frosting. It's so creamy and perfect that it elevates any dessert to new heights of deliciousness.
This frosting has a smooth, velvety texture that spreads easily and is a delightful balance of sweet and savory, making it ideal for those who appreciate the combination of salty and sweet flavors.
The peanut butter flavor goes great with chocolate, but it tastes just as nice with vanilla cakes (or just eating from the bowl with a spoon!). I love serving up this cream cheese and peanut butter frosting recipe on chocolate cupcakes and brownies.
For more delicious cake recipes, make sure to check out my Easy Rainbow Unicorn Cake Recipe, Oreo Bundt Cake, and Chocolate Crockpot Lava Cake.
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💛 Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Simple ingredients. We don't need much to make this recipe, and the ingredients that are needed are very simple and basic too. You may have some in your home already.
- Perfect for any occasion. Serve up some of this frosting over a weekend dessert or at the next birthday party or holiday event. It'll be a nice change of pace from the regular vanilla and chocolate buttercreams.
- It's frugal. Making your own frosting from scratch is a pretty great way to cut costs and get more for your buck. For another great frosting recipe, check out our Oreo Buttercream Frosting.
🛒 Ingredients
Peanut butter. Use a creamy peanut butter for best results. Avoid natural or specialty peanut butters with higher oil content. Brands like Skippy or Jif work well. Save some for Chocolate Peanut Butter Popcorn and Fluffernutter Peanut Butter Cookies.
Heavy cream. Adds richness and helps achieve the right frosting consistency.
Powdered sugar. Forms the smooth, sweet base of the frosting.
See the recipe card below for full ingredients and instructions.
💰 Budget-Friendly Tips
Use store-brand peanut butter and cream cheese: Generic versions are usually much cheaper and work just as well in frosting.
Start with less powdered sugar: Begin with 3 cups and add more only if needed to stretch the batch and reduce cost.
Use milk instead of cream: Regular milk or half and half still creates a smooth frosting and costs less than heavy cream.
🥄 Instructions for Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Step 1: In a large mixing bowl, cream together the peanut butter, cream cheese, and butter.
Step 2: Add in the vanilla and heavy cream.
Step 3: Beat the mixture until fluffy.
Step 4: Slowly add in the powdered sugar while mixing. Add it in at ½ cup at a time until the desired consistency has been reached.
Use as desired.
Enjoy!
👩🏻🍳 Expert Tips
- Quick and easy. This peanut butter cream cheese buttercream comes together fast. Heavy cream gives the best texture, but milk or half and half will also work.
- Get the right consistency. Add powdered sugar gradually until the frosting is pipeable. About 4 cups is typical, but the exact amount can vary based on the softness of the butter and cream cheese and the peanut butter used.
- Adjust as needed. Add powdered sugar about ½ cup at a time. If the frosting becomes too thick, mix in 1 to 2 teaspoons of milk or cream to smooth it out.
❄️ Storage, Reheating & Make Ahead
Storage: Store frosting covered in the refrigerator for 3-5 days due to the dairy content.
Reheating: Let frosting sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before using so it softens and spreads easily.
Make Ahead: Frosting can be made a day in advance and kept refrigerated. Rewhip briefly before using for best texture.
🥗 Side Dishes or Pairing Ideas
Use this frosting on chocolate cake, brownies, cupcakes, or sandwich cookies. It also pairs well with banana bread or as a dip for graham crackers or apple slices.
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❓ Recipe FAQs
Yes, due to the dairy content, this peanut butter and cream cheese frosting should be kept covered and stored in the fridge for up to 3-5 days. This will help to prevent foodborne illness and allow you to enjoy your delicious treats safely (and for longer).
The easiest way to do it is to simply stick the frosting in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes. As the butter and cream cheese hardens from the cold the frosting will naturally thicken up without needing to add in more sugar.
Peanut butter cream cheese frosting can be gluten-free if you ensure that all the ingredients used, including the peanut butter and any additives, are gluten-free.
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🐝 If you tried this Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and share your buzz in the 💬 comments below. I'd truly appreciate it!
📖 Recipe
Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Ingredients
- ½ cup creamy peanut butter - ($0.40)
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened - ($0.93)
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened - ($0.25)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract - ($0.03)
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream or milk - ($0.24)
- 3-4 cups powdered sugar - ($1.26)
Instructions
- Cream base. Beat the peanut butter, cream cheese, and butter together until smooth and creamy.
- Add liquids. Mix in the vanilla extract and heavy whipping cream until light and fluffy.
- Add sugar. Gradually beat in the powdered sugar, about ½ cup at a time, until the desired consistency is reached.
Notes
- Cream choice. Heavy whipping cream creates a lighter, more whipped texture. Milk or half-and-half also work.
- Consistency control. Add powdered sugar gradually. If the frosting becomes too thick, beat in 1 to 2 teaspoons of milk or cream to loosen it.
- Chilling. Refrigerate for 15 to 30 minutes to help the frosting firm up before spreading or piping.
- Storage. Store covered in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days due to the dairy content.
Nutritional Information
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