Copycat Friendlys Peanut Butter Sauce
This rich, creamy peanut butter sauce replicates the iconic warm topping from Friendlys ice cream sundaes. It has a smooth, pourable consistency with a deep roasted peanut flavor and just enough sweetness to complement vanilla ice cream or brownies.
- Prep Time: 5
- Cook Time: 10
- Total Time: 15
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter (such as Jif or Skippy; avoid natural-style for smoother texture)
- 1/4 cup light corn syrup
- 1/4 cup whole milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into small cubes
- 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a small heavy-bottomed saucepan, combine the peanut butter, corn syrup, whole milk, butter cubes, and kosher salt. Place the pan over medium-low heat; you want the mixture to warm gradually to prevent scorching, as dairy and sugar can burn if heated too quickly.
- Whisk constantly as the butter melts and the peanut butter softens. After about 2-3 minutes, the mixture will become smooth and begin to bubble gently around the edges. Continue whisking for another minute until the sauce is fully homogenous and no streaks of peanut butter remain. Do not let it come to a full boil, as that can cause the sauce to separate.
- Remove the pan from the heat. Stir in the vanilla extract; it will sizzle briefly and release a fragrant aroma. Whisk until incorporated. Let the sauce cool in the pan for 2-3 minutes; it will thicken slightly as it cools. Serve immediately over ice cream, brownies, or pound cake for best texture.
- If the sauce becomes too thick after cooling, reheat gently over low heat, adding 1 tablespoon of milk at a time and whisking until smooth. Do not microwave directly, as uneven heating can cause separation.
Notes
Store leftover sauce in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. To reheat, place the container in a bowl of hot water for 10 minutes or warm gently in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring in a splash of milk if needed. Not recommended for freezing, as dairy and corn syrup can cause graininess upon thawing.
Nutrition
- Calories: 310
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
Keywords: peanut butter sauce, Friendlys copycat, warm peanut butter topping, ice cream sauce, peanut butter dessert sauce, easy peanut butter sauce, homemade chocolate peanut butter sauce, sundae topping, peanut butter syrup, quick dessert sauce