This peanut butter cream cheese frosting is the best, with a beautifully balanced peanut butter flavor and rich, fluffy texture.
Peanut butter lovers, this one's for us!
This simple peanut butter variation of classic cream cheese frosting strikes the perfect balance of salty-sweet peanut butter flavor with the delicate tanginess of cream cheese. It's rich, but also light and fluffy, and its texture is perfect for spreading or piping.
So how do you make the perfect peanut butter cream cheese frosting, and what makes this recipe the best?
It's all about the ratio of peanut butter to cream cheese to sugar.
Not enough peanut butter, and the peanuty flavor will be too subtle. While lots of recipes use just half a cup, this recipe includes a full cup of peanut butter for a distinct peanut butter flavor.
Not enough cream cheese and the frosting will be missing its subtle tangy flavor. Most recipes include just 4 ounces of cream cheese and require milk or cream to help smooth the frosting, which dulls the flavors. This recipe includes a full 8 ounce block of cream cheese, with no milk or cream needed to create a creamy texture.
Too much sugar and the frosting will be overly sweet or thick. While other recipes use an extra one to three cups of sugar, this recipe uses just 3 cups of confectioners' sugar, adding enough structure without too much sweetness.
This recipe gets the ratios just right, creating a frosting with rich peanut butter flavor without being too heavy or too sweet.
And if you're a fan of the classic chocolate and peanut butter flavor combo, you're going to love this chocolate peanut butter sheet cake topped with fluffy peanut butter cream cheese frosting.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for full ingredient list and measurements.
Peanut Butter - This recipe was designed to use a creamy, conventional peanut butter. Avoid natural or crunchy peanut butters, which won't yield the proper texture. I used Jif peanut butter for this frosting.
Cream Cheese - For the best flavor and texture, use a full-fat cream cheese block. Do not use low fat cream cheese or cream cheese from a tub.
Unsalted Butter - I always prefer unsalted butter so that we can control the amount of salt that goes into the recipe.
Confectioners' Sugar - Confectioners' sugar (aka powdered sugar) adds sweetness to balance the tangy cream cheese and also helps to thicken the frosting and give it structure. Its fine texture is key, so don't substitute granulated sugar, which will create a gritty frosting.
Vanilla Extract - I'm heavy handed with the vanilla when making frosting, and I added a full Tablespoon to this recipe since it beautifully enhances the peanut butter flavor.
Special Equipment
In addition to essential baking equipment (like a spatula), you will need either a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer for mixing the ingredients into a smooth frosting. I like using a stand mixer with the paddle attachment for making cream cheese frosting.
Step-By-Step Recipe Instructions
See recipe card at the bottom of this post for detailed recipe instructions.
Step 1: Beat peanut butter, cream cheese, and butter on high speed until smooth. Add vanilla and salt and beat to combine.
Step 2: With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add confectioners' sugar until all the sugar is added. Then beat on high speed until the mixture is well combined and creamy.
Recipe Tips
Let the cream cheese and butter come to a cool room temperature before blending. Softened dairy ingredients are essential for smooth frosting. If you're in a hurry, check out my tips for bringing ingredients to room temperature more quickly.
Since this frosting doesn't include milk or cream like some other frosting recipes and the peanut butter acts as a thickener, you shouldn't run into issues with the frosting being too thin. However, if you prefer a thicker frosting, you can chill the frosting briefly to firm up the cream cheese and butter or add a bit more confectioners' sugar. For even more tips, check out this post with all of my best tips for how to thicken frosting.
Use this peanut butter cream cheese frosting to frost cakes or cupcakes (like the moist chocolate cupcakes shown in this post), brownies, cinnamon rolls... it's surprisingly versatile!
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Recipe
Peanut Butter Cream Cheese Frosting
Special Equipment
- Stand mixer or electric hand mixer
Ingredients
- 1 cup (270 grams) peanut butter
- 8 ounces (227 grams) full-fat cream cheese block room temperature
- ½ cup (114 grams) unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 Tablespoon (14 grams) vanilla extract
- pinch fine sea salt
- 3 cups (339 grams) confectioners' sugar
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer using the paddle attachment (or in a large bowl using an electric hand mixer), beat peanut butter, cream cheese, and butter on high speed until smooth, about 1 minute.1 cup (270 grams) peanut butter, 8 ounces (227 grams) full-fat cream cheese block, ½ cup (114 grams) unsalted butter
- Add vanilla and salt and beat to combine.1 Tablespoon (14 grams) vanilla extract, pinch fine sea salt
- With the mixer running on low speed, slowly add confectioners' sugar until all the sugar is added. Then beat on high speed until the mixture is well combined and creamy.3 cups (339 grams) confectioners' sugar
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