Gooey, 5-Minute Peanut Butter Glaze

Easy, five minute peanut butter glaze makes glossy drizzle for donuts, cakes, brownies, cookies, and more desserts! Peanut butter lovers will rejoice over this frosting that hardens into gooey sweet and salty glaze using four simple ingredients.

Adding peanut butter to desserts takes any sweet treat to the next level. Whether combining it with chocolate, banana, or oats, it’s hard to resist!

I love the versatility of this peanut butter glaze recipe. It may be used to drizzle over chocolate cake, bundt cakes or as icing for donuts. Alternatively, spread on a thick layer, like fluffy buttercream, to frost cakes, brownies, and cookies.

I would say, subjectively, a peanut butter and chocolate combo beats them all (hello, peanut butter Oreo pie!), but objectively a gooey peanut butter topping makes every dessert better.

How to Use Peanut Butter Glaze

Once you taste this peanut butter drizzle recipe, you will have a hard time not spreading it on everything! Unlike other sweet frosting recipes, the peanut butter flavor adds a hint of salt to balance flavors.

Below are my favorite ways to use this frosting, either as a thick glaze or shiny drizzle. The ingredients stay the same, no matter the consistency, but adaptations are made to the amounts.

Donuts

To make a glaze for donuts, either keep the recipe as is for a thick layer of frosting or adjust it to make a drizzle. For a thinner glaze, reduce the amount of powder sugar to ¾ cup and increase the amount of milk until you have reached a desired consistency.

Cakes

To make a icing for cakes, make the recipe as written. However, for a thicker, sturdier frosting, transfer the prepared frosting to a bowl and beat at medium speed with a mixer until thick and spreadable.

• Bundt cakes
• Sheet cake (like a chocolate peanut butter combo on this yummy, moist GF Texas sheet cake)
• Cupcakes
• Layer cake – Use on cakes such as, chocolate cake, banana cakes, or vanilla.
• Pound cake
• Makes a great topping for angel food cake

Brownies

Let the bars or brownies cool completely on a wire rack before icing. This glaze would make a great addition to banana bars, zucchini brownies, or any boxed or homemade brownie recipe.

Bread

This also makes a great addition to sweet, quick breads, such as banana bread, chocolate zucchini bread, or peanut butter bread.

To make a drizzle for breads, reduce the amount of powder sugar to ¾ cup and increase the amount of milk until you have reached a desired consistency.

Ingredient Tid Bits

• Peanut Butter – Use smooth or chunky for a bit of salty crunch. I have not tried this recipe with alternative nut butters.
• Milk – I recommend at least 2% milk, but half and half or heavy cream may be used for a thicker glaze. For a dairy-free recipe, substitute non-dairy milk.
• Butter – Cube the butter before adding to the saucepan so it melts quicker. Vegan butter sticks may be substituted for a dairy-free peanut butter glaze.

How to Make Peanut Butter Glaze

To make frosting out of peanut butter you will need a medium saucepan, basic kitchen ingredients, and only five minutes. Bake your dessert before beginning and allow time for it it cool.

However, like this peanut butter chocolate cake recipe, I have also spread peanut butter frosting on slightly warmed cakes to make a gooey topping.

(Below shows step-by-step photos and modified instructions. For the complete recipe, along with ingredient amounts, scroll down to the recipe card.)

1. Frosting will harden as it cools, so you will want to spread it on immediately. Bake and cool the dessert first, then remove from the pan to a serving platter before beginning.
2. Combine peanut butter, butter and milk in saucepan over medium heat. Heat until thick, smooth, and just starts to boil.
3. Turn off the heat and add powdered sugar and vanilla. Stir vigorously until lumps disappear.
4. Spread on immediately or drizzle on. If a thinner consistency is needed for drizzling, stir in additional milk.

Making Drizzle That Hardens

Depending on the dessert to be frosted, you may want a drizzle that hardens completely. To do this use less powdered sugar. Start with ¾ cup and increase the amount of milk until you have reached a desired consistency.

Did you make this recipe? I love hearing from you! Leave a star rating and comment below the recipe card. It helps others when searching for recipes and I appreciate feedback from our community. You will always hear back from me! -Melissa