Peanut Butter Dessert Sauce

Prep: 5 min Cook: 5 min Cuisine: American

A silky peanut butter dessert sauce that blends buttery richness with sweet confectioners sugar for a quick, crowd‑pleasing topping.

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Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup margarine
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1 1/2 cups sifted confectioners sugar
  • 1 tsp flour
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter (plain or chunky)

Instructions

  1. Cook, stirring constantly, margarine, flour and water until the margarine is melted.
  2. Add peanut butter and stir until well combined.
  3. Remove from heat.
  4. Stir in sugar, beating until the sauce is smooth with a rotary beater.
  5. Serve warm or cold over ice cream or cake.
  6. Refrigerate if not serving immediately.

Tips & Substitutions

For a richer flavor, consider using unsweetened or dark chocolate instead of margarine. You can substitute almond butter for peanut butter for a nut-free version, or use sunflower seed butter for a nut-free alternative. Be sure to sift the confectioners sugar to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth sauce. If you like a bit of texture, chunky peanut butter works wonderfully.

Serving Suggestions

This peanut butter dessert sauce pairs beautifully with Sunkist Lemon Ice Cream, adding a delightful contrast of flavors. Drizzle over brownies or pancakes for a decadent breakfast treat. For a fun twist, serve alongside Peanut Butter And Jelly Cookie Bars for a nostalgic dessert platter. Enjoy it warm for the best texture and flavor.

Storage & Reheating

Store any leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week. When ready to use, gently reheat in a microwave-safe bowl in 10-15 second intervals, stirring in between, until warm. If the sauce thickens upon cooling, add a small amount of water to loosen it up.

Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)

Each serving of Peanut Butter Dessert Sauce contains roughly 542 calories, with 13g protein, 102g carbohydrates, and 9g fat. It is an excellent source of protein (26% of the Daily Value) and iron (25% of the Daily Value), and a good source of dietary fiber. It also contributes 4g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.

542 kcal 27% DV
Protein Fat Carbs

Macronutrients

Protein 12.9g 26% DV
Total Fat 9.4g 12% DV
Carbs 101.9g 37% DV
Fiber 3.6g 13% DV
Sugar 30.9g 62% DV

Electrolytes

Sodium 84.1mg 4% DV
Potassium 208.9mg 4% DV

Vitamins & Minerals

Calcium 23.6mg 2% DV
Iron 4.5mg 25% DV
Diet fit Low-fat
Contains Milk Wheat/Gluten Peanut

Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.

* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a different type of sweetener instead of confectioners sugar?

Yes, you can use maple syrup or honey as alternatives, but keep in mind that it may alter the consistency. If using liquid sweeteners, you might need to adjust the amount of water to achieve the desired thickness.

Is this sauce suitable for vegan diets?

To make this sauce vegan, substitute the margarine with a plant-based butter and ensure that the peanut butter is also vegan-friendly. This way, you can enjoy a delicious dessert sauce while adhering to a vegan diet.

How can I make this sauce creamier?

To achieve a creamier texture, consider adding a splash of heavy cream or coconut milk after removing the sauce from heat. This will enhance the richness and give the sauce a velvety finish.

Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).

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