Homemade Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting
Posted Oct 02, 2017, Updated Jun 26, 2024
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Easy & delicious homemade vegan peanut butter frosting. In this recipe, coconut oil and peanut butter are combined to make the most incredible dairy-free frosting ever! Serve it on top of brownies, use it to frost a cake, or eat it with a spoon!
What I love about this homemade vegan peanut butter frosting recipe is that it’s made with just a handful of ingredients that you probably already have on hand in 5 minutes flat!
Compared to other frosting recipes, this one is much healthier! It’s vegan, gluten-free & dairy free and if make your own powdered sugar (recipe here) it can be refined-sugar free too!
Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting: Ingredient s& Substitutions
- Peanut Butter: I use a firm peanut butter for this recipe, like a natural peanut butter that is no stir. If you use a peanut butter that is liquid at room temperature you may need to add more powdered sugar to get it to firm up, and/or omit the almond milk all together.
- Coconut oil. vegan butter or regular butter can be used in place of coconut oil. (Note: The coconut oil needs to be room temperature or slightly melted (not too warm), if it is hard then it will not mix well into the peanut butter).
- Salt: I love the sweet/salty flavor of this frosting. You can always add a little at a time and adjust it according to your taste. If you’re using a salty variety of peanut butter you many need to add less.
- Almond milk: coconut milk or any other non-dairy milk works in this recipe. It’s only needed with firm peanut butter.
How to Make Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting
Make sure the coconut oil is softened to room temperature, then either mix by hand or using a hand-held mixer or standing mixer, beat until they are combined.
Once the coconut oil and peanut butter are combined and smooth, add the vanilla, powdered sugar and salt and beat until you reach the desired consistency.
Add almond milk slowly. The amount of almond milk needed depends on the type of peanut butter used. Some people have reported not needing it at all. Please add it carefully so the frosting does not become too runny. If that does happen, add more powdered sugar and mix until you reach the desired consistency.
Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting: Serving Suggestions
I have a plethora of recipes that are the perfect vehicle for this delicious frosting! Check them out! (Note: the brownies in these pictures are my black bean brownies).
- Brownies: Slather it on black bean brownies (or flourless brownies or paleo brownies or Chocolate Peanut Butter Brownies or Greek Yogurt Brownies!
- Cookies: spread it on these Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies or these paleo chocolate chip cookies!
- Blondies: Add it to theseHealthy Peanut Butter Blondies.
- Cake: Add a dollop to this flourless chocolate cake!
- Cupcakes. swirl it on top of chocolate cupcakes.
Store/Freeze
Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week or freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw slowly at room temperature before using – do not microwave.
It hardens in the fridge. Please note that this Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting gets hard in the fridge. I take it out and set it on the counter about 1 hour before eating/serving time. Do not microwave.
Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting Recipe FAQs
You can remedy this two ways – 1) add more powdered sugar. 2) if the ingredients are too warm it will become runny, so you can chill it in the refrigerator to firm it up a bit.
I usually make a half recipe to frost brownies and a full to frost a cake. So yes, this recipe halves very well.
I decorate cakes often, here’s a list of the equipment I use to create these roses:
Piping bags – I have both reusable and disposable piping bags and use them all the time.
Piping tips and couplers – I recommend a great starter tip and coupler set. However I always make this rosette style cake with a Wilton 1M tip and large coupler.
If you make and love our recipes, it would mean so much to me if you would leave a comment and rating! And don’t forget to follow along with us on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and Youtube – be sure to tag @joyfoodsunshine and use the hashtag #joyfoodsunshine so we can see your creations!
Vegan Peanut Butter Frosting
Ingredients
- ¾ cup peanut butter
- ½ cup coconut oil (softened)
- ½ teaspoon vanilla
- 2 cups powdered sugar
- ½ teaspoon fine sea salt
- 1-2 Tablespoons almond milk*
Instructions
- Add softened coconut oil and peanut butter to the bowl of a standing mixer and beat on medium speed until well combined, scraping down the sides a few times to be sure there are no chunks of coconut oil left. (Or combine by hand in a small bowl).
- Add vanilla and beat until combined.
- Add powdered sugar and salt. Beat on medium/high speed until well combined, scraping sides to ensure it’s mixed evenly.
- If necessary (if your frosting is too thick) add almond milk and beat until light and fluffy. Serve on top of your favorite bars or brownies…or eat with a spoon!
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature (if you will be eating that day) or in the refrigerator. Take it out and let it come to room temperature before serving.
Video
Notes
- This makes a lot of frosting. I halve this recipe for an 8×8” pan of brownies or if I’m making it just for my family.
- I recommend starting with a small amount of almond milk and increasing it until you reach your desired consistency. Peanut butter that is liquid at room temperature may require no almond milk at all.
- Peanut Butter: I use a firm peanut butter for this recipe, like a natural peanut butter that is no stir. If you use a peanut butter that is liquid at room temperature you may need to add more powdered sugar to get it to firm up, and/or omit the almond milk all together.
- Coconut oil. vegan butter or regular butter can be used in place of coconut oil.
- Almond milk: coconut milk or any other non-dairy milk works in this recipe. I have even used non-dairy creamers with fantastic results.
- Salt: I love the sweet/salty flavor of this frosting. You can always add a little at a time and adjust it according to your taste. If you’re using a salty variety of peanut butter you many need to add less.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
I tried this on a chocolate cake and I loved it! It was still a bit difficult to spread, even at room temperature, but it was absolutely delicious!
I just wanted to tell you all that I made this recipe, and it is the best Peanut Butter frosting I have ever had. Even before I was a Vegan. I added a bit more PB because, well I love PB. Haha I put it on a vegan Crazy Chocolate Cake recipe that I found on here as well, and is awesome!! 😃
Mine keeps coming out crumbly. any idea why?
Hey Nicole! Do you many any substitutions in the recipe?
I made it and it clotted, I couldn’t pipe it at all, could it be from using natural peanut butter? Tastes freaking awesome though
Hey Megan! This recipe can totally be a little temperamental depending on the ingredients you choose! When you say it “clotted” can you explain that a little more? I’d love to try to help you troubleshoot to get it to the consistency you are looking for! Most of the times I make this recipe I don’t care what it looks like, I just scoop it out of the mixing bowl and plop it directly onto brownies and they go immediately into my mouth lol! But it CAN be pipe-able (as seen in these photos)! Did you make an substitutions in the recipe?
Do you think this could be a good filling in a chocolate truffle? I’m not the biggest ganache fan and would like a lless dense filling, This looks and sounds just like what I need. Pipe-able peanut butter joy.
Hey Julie! It would be delicious and hardens as it chills! I’d chill it then roll into balls!
Hey! Just wanted to check if the coconut oil can b substituted with another oil like olive oil or other flavourless ones
I do not recommend using an oil that is a liquid at room temperature. Your frosting will not set up or harden. You can substitute butter or ghee (not vegan) or vegan butter like Earth Balance. Shortening can be used as well. However, the coconut oil really adds a special flavor! You might want to try it and see what you think….make a half or fourth of a batch and test it out!
Do you have any suggestions for a powders sugar alternative? We are trying to remain refined sugar-free for my husband’s dietary needs.
Thanks!
Yes! I make my own powdered sugar out of coconut sugar! See the link here: Paleo Powdered Sugar!
These are so beautiful Laura! I love how simple and peanut buttery this frosting is— just how I like it 🙂 Can’t wait to try this!
I need this in my life ASAP! What a delish combination and so cool that it is vegan.
I’m right there with you, peanut butter for life! I cannot WAIT to make this!!