EASY Peanut Butter Sauce Recipe (4 Ingredients and 5 minutes!) (2024)

Incredibly quick and easy peanut butter sauce for ice cream, pancakes, waffles and more. This recipe only has 4 ingredients and requires no cooking.

I used to think there were very few things in life better than a cold ice cream on a hot summer day. Well, that was until I had ice cream with silky smooth molten peanut butter sauce on top. It’s absolutely divine and now I make it every time I’m craving ice cream!

If you’re a peanut butter fan like me, this recipe is definitely for you! Made with only a few ingredients, this peanut butter sauce is ideal for drizzling on ice cream, pancakes, waffles or fruit.This version is a dessert peanut butter sauce, versus our spicy peanut butter sauce, better suited for savory dishes.

Pair this decadent sauce with my Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream or easy to make No Churn Oreo Ice Cream.

Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter Sauce

Of course you can always buy a jar of peanut butter sauce at the store, but this is why our homemade version is better.

• Only 4 ingredients: Although it tastes decadent and rich, this peanut butter sauce for ice cream only has 4 ingredients. Most of them can be found in your pantry or in supermarkets.
• Easy to make: There’s no special equipment needed to make this recipe. All you need is one bowl, a spatula and a microwave. Yep, it’s that easy!
• Perfect for many desserts: The beauty of this easy peanut butter sauce is that it can be used in so many different ways. Drizzle it over your favorite ice cream, pancakes or waffles. Add it as a topping on brownies or cookies or use it as a fruit dip.
• Tastes amazing: This recipe is not only easy to make, but tastes very rich and decadent. It’s sticky, gooey, silky smooth and absolutely addictive.

Peanut Butter Sauce Ingredients

The beauty of this recipe is that it’s crazy easy to make. All you need are 4 ingredients, which can be found in most pantries or the supermarket. You can simplify this recipe further if needed to only 2 ingredients. Here’s what you will need:

• Peanut butter – smooth peanut butter is recommended. It needs to be store-bought, not natural. The best brands to use are Skippy of Jif.
• Corn syrup – I recommend using light corn syrup, my favorite brand being Karo. If you don’t have any, you can replace corn syrup with runny honey.
• Sweetened condensed milk – This is what makes the peanut butter sauce very shiny and smooth. I don’t recommend swapping it for evaporated milk.
• Milk – is needed to make the sauce a little thinner, so it can be drizzled. Any type of milk or plant based alternative can be used.
• Optional: salt – Although optional, I strongly recommend it. Salt makes the flavors more intense and delicious.

For the 2 ingredient option, you will need only peanut butter and corn syrup in 1:1 ratio. If it’s too thick, you can make the sauce runnier with some extra water or milk.

How to Make Peanut Butter Sauce

It’s not essential to use a microwave, but it’s the quickest way. Alternatively, you can also use the stove and cook the ingredients in a small saucepan over low heat. The rest of the process is exactly the same as with the microwave.

1. Combine ingredients. Combine all the ingredients in a microwave safe bowl.
2. Microwave until melted. Add in milk, then stir to combine.

Ways to Use

When I first made this peanut butter sauce for ice cream, I didn’t realize just how many different uses it has. The options are endless, but here are some of my favorites:

• Pancakes – If you’re tired of the same old maple syrup topping, then peanut butter sauce is what you need. You can use it for any type of pancake like Sticky Banana Pancakes, Pumpkin Spice Pancakes or Oatmeal Pancakes.
• Waffles – Trust me when I say that waffles and peanut butter sauce are the perfect match. Simply drizzle it over your favorite waffles and enjoy!
• Brownies – Although brownies are already decadent and delicious, peanut butter sauce takes them to a whole different level. Drizzle some on top of Homemade Brownies or chocolatey Nutella Brownies.
• Fruit dip – It goes without saying that peanut butter sauce and bananas is a heavenly combination, but you can also use it with other fruits. Try it with strawberries, apples or melon.
• Hot drinks – A spoonful of peanut butter sauce in your favorite hot chocolate or coffee will make the drink go from good to amazing.
• Desserts – Add this peanut butter sauce to all of your favorite desserts including cheesecake, ice cream sundaes or even pound cake.

Tips & Tricks

I’ve gathered a few tips and tricks a long the way to ensure you get the best batch of peanut butter dessert sauce.

• Use store bought peanut butter – Natural peanut butter does not melt as well as the store bought variety. For this peanut butter recipe for ice cream it’s important to use commercial brands such as Skippy or Jif.
• Don’t overheat – Whether using the stove or microwave, you shouldn’t overheat the mixture too much as the peanut butter can burn. When using a microwave, cook in increments of 10-20 seconds and mix multiple times to avoid burning. With the stove, cook over low heat whilst mixing continuously to avoid burning the bottom.
• Mix well to combine – Once heated up well, all the ingredients need to be mixed well until fully combined.
• Dilute with milk – For an extra runny sauce, you need to dilute the mixture a little to make it runnier. Add 1 tablespoon of milk at a time and mix well before adding any more.
• Use whilst hot – This peanut butter sauce for ice cream is best whilst hot. This is when it’s runny and the perfect drizzling consistency.

Storage and Freezing

Once cooled, the peanut butter sauce for ice cream thickens up, so it needs to be used quickly. However, it can stored and then easily made runny again.

How to Store Peanut Butter Sauce

Place in an airtight container or jar and keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

To reheat, microwave in small increments of 20-30 seconds and mix until runny. Add 1-2 teaspoons of milk if needed to thin out the sauce.

Can I Freeze Peanut Butter Sauce?

Because corn syrup does not freeze well, I don’t recommend freezing this recipe.

More Sweet Sauces

Not all sauces have to be savory! These are some of our favorite sweet sauces that we know you’ll love.