This peanut butter cream cheese frosting finds the perfect balance of nutty and tangy flavors, with a thick, creamy consistency that’s easy to spread or pipe and won’t collapse. It’s smooth, rich, and irresistible—great for topping cakes, icing cupcakes, or filling sandwich cookies.
This frosting pairs beautifully with chocolate peanut butter layer cake and chocolate peanut butter cupcakes.
Here’s Why This Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe Works
Balanced flavor: The tang of cream cheese keeps the sweetness of the peanut butter in check, creating a well-rounded sweet-and-salty profile. For a more classic cream cheese flavor without peanut butter, a traditional cream cheese frosting offers the same silky texture.
Smooth, lump-free texture: Sifting the powdered sugar and using softened ingredients produces a velvety, spreadable frosting without grit or lumps.
Thick and stable: This frosting is rich and pipeable, holding its shape on cupcakes, layer cakes, and other desserts without extra stabilizers.
Quick and simple: No cooking required—just beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, butter, and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.
Try this on a peanut butter sheet cake for an easy, crowd-pleasing dessert.
Recipe Tips
Let ingredients soften: Cold butter or cream cheese results in a lumpy frosting. Bring both to room temperature for the smoothest results.
Grate the butter if you’re short on time: Grated butter softens quickly and blends smoothly into the frosting.
Cube the cream cheese: Cutting the cream cheese into small cubes helps it come to room temperature faster.
Start slow, then whip: Add powdered sugar on low speed to prevent a sugar cloud, then increase the mixer speed to whip the frosting light and airy.
Adjust consistency: If the frosting is too thick, add 1–2 tablespoons of milk or cream and beat until you reach the desired texture.
If you’re craving autumn flavors, maple cream cheese frosting is a great seasonal alternative.
Too Good for Just Cakes
Thick, fluffy, and silky, this peanut butter cream cheese frosting belongs in your baking arsenal. Pipe it, spread it, or sneak a spoonful while you’re assembling. It’s equally delicious on brownies or as a sandwich cookie filling.
If you prefer chocolate-forward frostings, a chocolate cream cheese frosting is an excellent alternative.
Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
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Ingredients
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- 4 ounces butter, softened
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar, sifted
- 2 tablespoons whole milk
Instructions
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In a medium bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, peanut butter, and softened butter. Beat on medium-high speed with an electric mixer for 2–3 minutes until smooth, stopping once or twice to scrape down the sides.
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Add the vanilla and salt, then mix on medium speed for 1 minute. Scrape the bowl as needed.
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Add the powdered sugar and blend on low speed or stir by hand until the sugar is incorporated.
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Increase the mixer to medium-high and beat for 2–3 minutes until the frosting is smooth and fluffy, scraping the bowl partway through.
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If the frosting is too thick to spread or pipe, add up to 2 tablespoons of milk and beat until you reach the desired consistency.
Notes
Quick fix for cold butter: Grate the butter with a cheese grater to help it soften faster.
Speed up cream cheese softening: Cut cream cheese into small cubes and let it sit about 10–15 minutes at room temperature.
Avoid the sugar cloud: Add powdered sugar on low speed and gradually increase to prevent sugar from flying out of the bowl.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated and should be used as an approximation.
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