This Peanut Butter Condensed Milk Buttercream is smooth and creamy with a rich peanut butter flavor. It’s easy to spread and pipe, making it perfect for decorating cakes and cupcakes. Not as sweet as traditional American buttercream, it has a unique texture and taste without using powdered sugar.
What is Condensed Milk Buttercream?
Condensed Milk Buttercream, also known as Russian Buttercream, is a type of frosting made using just a few ingredients: unsalted butter and sweetened condensed milk.
Unlike traditional American buttercream, it does not use powdered sugar. The result is a smooth, creamy, and slightly less sweet frosting with a unique texture and flavor, perfect for spreading and piping on cakes, cupcakes, and other desserts.
Ingredients In Peanut Butter Buttercream
Unsalted Butter (500 g / 1.1 lb): The base of the buttercream, providing a rich, creamy texture. It’s important to use unsalted butter to control the saltiness of the final product.
Sweetened Condensed Milk (395 g / 14 oz): Adds sweetness and a silky texture to the buttercream without the need for powdered sugar. It helps achieve a smooth consistency.
Smooth Peanut Butter (¾ cup): Adds flavor and richness to the buttercream. The amount can be adjusted to taste, giving the frosting a distinct peanut butter flavor.
How To Make Peanut Butter Buttercream
Beat the Butter
Preparation: Start by ensuring your butter is softened. This means it should be at room temperature, soft enough to leave an indentation when pressed with your finger but not melted.
Mixing: Place the softened butter in a large mixing bowl. Using an electric mixer or stand mixer, beat the butter on medium-high speed for about 3-5 minutes. This process incorporates air into the butter, making it light, fluffy, and pale in color. Properly whipped butter will form a good base for your buttercream.
Add Condensed Milk:
Incorporation: Open the can of sweetened condensed milk and pour the entire contents into the bowl with the beaten butter.
Mixing: Continue beating the mixture on medium-high speed for approximately 2 minutes. The goal is to fully combine the condensed milk with the butter, resulting in a smooth, homogenous mixture. The buttercream should be creamy without any streaks of butter.:
Incorporate Peanut Butter:
Adding Flavor: Measure out ¾ cup (or adjust to your preference) of smooth peanut butter. Add it to the butter and condensed milk mixture.
Mixing: Beat the mixture for an additional minute on medium speed until the peanut butter is fully incorporated. The buttercream should now have a consistent texture and an even peanut butter flavor.
Scrape and Check Consistency:
Scraping Down: Using a spatula, scrape down the sides of the mixing bowl to ensure all ingredients are well combined. Sometimes, bits of butter or peanut butter can stick to the sides and not mix in properly.
Final Mixing: Give the mixture one final mix to make sure everything is thoroughly combined.
Use or Store:
Piping: If using immediately, transfer the buttercream to a piping bag fitted with a 1M piping tip for easy decorating.
Storage: If you’re not using the buttercream right away, place it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. Refrigerate for up to one week or frozen for up to three months. Before using, bring it back to room temperature and re-whip if necessary to restore its creamy texture.
Fay's Top Tip For Peanut Butter Buttercream
Ensure the Butter is Properly Softened: The key to a smooth and creamy buttercream is to use properly softened butter for smooth and creamy buttercream. Keep it at room temperature, soft enough to beat easily, but not melted. This will help achieve the desired silky, smooth texture in the buttercream.
Serving Suggestions for Peanut Butter Buttercream
- Cupcakes: Use this buttercream to frost chocolate or vanilla cupcakes. The peanut butter flavor pairs well with both.
- Layer Cakes: Spread between layers of chocolate, banana, or vanilla cake for a delicious filling. Use it to cover the entire cake for a smooth finish.
- Macarons: Use as a filling for macarons to add a rich, creamy peanut butter center.
- Whoopie Pies: Sandwich the buttercream between chocolate whoopie pie cookies for a tasty treat.
- Cookie Sandwiches: Spread between two chocolate chip cookies for a delightful cookie sandwich.
- Brownies: Pipe or spread a layer of buttercream on top of brownies for an extra layer of sweetness.
More Buttercream & Frosting Recipes
- Mars Bar Buttercream
- Pineapple Buttercream (No Powdered Sugar Added)
- Aero Buttercream – Mint Condensed Milk Frosting
- Raspberry Buttercream
Common Questions For Peanut Butter Buttercream
Yes, you can use salted butter, but it will change the flavor slightly.
Store leftover buttercream in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. For longer storage, you can freeze it for up to two months.
Yes, you can use crunchy peanut butter if you prefer a bit of texture in your buttercream. Smooth peanut butter creates a more consistent texture and will not clog your piping tip.
To soften butter quickly, cut it into small cubes and let it sit at room temperature for about 15-20 minutes. You can also microwave it on a low setting in short bursts, checking frequently to avoid melting.
Yes, you can add flavors like vanilla extract, cocoa powder, or even a bit of instant coffee dissolved in water for different variations.
Peanut Butter Buttercream
INGREDIENTS
- 500 g (1.1 lb) butter unsalted and softrened
- 395 g (14 oz) sweetened condensed milk
- ¾ cup (¾ cup) peanut butter smooth
INSTRUCTIONS
- Beat the Butter: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened butter using an electric mixer or stand mixer. Beat for a few minutes until the butter becomes light, fluffy, and pale in color.
- Add Condensed Milk: Add the entire can of sweetened condensed milk to the beaten butter. Continue beating for approximately 2 minutes or until the mixture is well combined and smooth.
- Incorporate Peanut Butter: Incorporate the peanut butter into the butter and condensed milk mixture. Beat for an additional minute until the peanut butter is fully integrated and the buttercream is smooth.
- Scrape and Check Consistency: Stop and scrape down the sides of the bowl with a spatula to ensure all ingredients are well combined. Check the consistency of the buttercream; it should be smooth, creamy, and easily spreadable.
- Use or Store: Place the buttercream in a piping bag fitted with a 1M piping tip. Use immediately to decorate cupcakes, layer cakes, fill macarons, or store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
NOTES
- Softened Butter: Ensure the butter is at room temperature for easier mixing and a smoother buttercream.
- Adjust Peanut Butter: Adjust the amount of peanut butter to taste; more will give a stronger flavor.
- Storage: Store the buttercream in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week or freeze for up to two months.
Nancy says
Can't wait to try this. Thanks