Peanut Butter Pie: A Heavenly Dessert Experience
For dessert lovers, there are few things more satisfying than the combination of creamy peanut butter and rich chocolate. This homemade Peanut Butter Pie brings together these two indulgent flavors in an unforgettable way, offering a rich, creamy, and satisfying experience with every bite. It’s the kind of dessert that has people coming back for more, as its combination of textures—from the crisp, buttery graham cracker crust to the smooth, fluffy peanut butter filling—makes it irresistibly delicious.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 32 minutes (including chilling time)
- Yield: 8 to 10 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-bake, Chilled
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 14 whole chocolate graham crackers (about 196 grams): These crackers serve as the base of the pie, giving it a slightly sweet, chocolatey crunch. If chocolate graham crackers are hard to find, you can substitute with Chocolate Teddy Grahams for a similar flavor.
- 1 tablespoon light brown sugar: This adds a subtle sweetness to the crust and helps bind the crumbs together.
- 7 tablespoons (99 grams) unsalted butter, melted: Butter brings richness to the crust and helps the crumbs stick together to form a solid base.
For the Filling:
- 8 ounces (227 grams) cream cheese, at room temperature: Cream cheese gives the filling a smooth, rich texture. Make sure it’s at room temperature for easy mixing.
- 3/4 cup (94 grams) powdered sugar, divided: Powdered sugar is essential for sweetness and gives the filling its smooth consistency.
- 1 cup (270 grams) creamy conventional peanut butter: The star of the show—creamy peanut butter adds that signature peanutty flavor and smooth texture to the filling.
- 1 cup (240 grams) heavy whipping cream: Heavy cream is whipped to create a light, airy texture for the filling.
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract: Vanilla extract enhances the flavor of the peanut butter and cream, bringing everything together.
For the Topping:
- Melted peanut butter: A drizzle of melted peanut butter adds richness and intensifies the peanut flavor.
- Melted chocolate: The chocolate topping provides a delicious contrast to the peanut butter, complementing it with its smooth, velvety texture.
- Mini Reese’s cups: These iconic peanut butter and chocolate treats are chopped and used as a garnish for the pie, adding extra peanut butter flavor and texture.
- Peanut butter chips: A sprinkle of peanut butter chips adds a crunchy texture and a burst of peanut butter flavor on top of the pie.
Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust:
Start by preheating your oven to 325°F. Next, make the crust by processing the chocolate graham crackers and light brown sugar in a food processor until they are finely ground. Add the melted butter to the mixture and pulse until the crumbs are moistened. Transfer the crumb mixture to a 9-inch pie plate, pressing it firmly into the bottom and up the sides to form a crust. Bake the crust for 10-12 minutes or until it becomes fragrant. Allow the crust to cool completely on a wire rack before adding the filling.
2. Make the Filling:
While the crust cools, prepare the creamy peanut butter filling. In a large mixing bowl, beat the room temperature cream cheese with 3/4 cup of powdered sugar and peanut butter using an electric mixer. Beat until the mixture is light and fluffy, which should take about 3 minutes. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy whipping cream with the remaining 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar and the vanilla extract until stiff peaks form. Carefully fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream too much. Once well combined, pour the filling into the cooled pie crust.
3. Chill the Pie:
Now comes the hardest part—waiting for the pie to chill! Place the pie in the freezer for 3 hours, or alternatively, you can chill it in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours. The longer it chills, the firmer and more set the filling will be, allowing for cleaner slices when serving.
4. Add the Toppings:
Once the pie has chilled and is firm, it’s time to add the finishing touches. Melt the peanut butter and chocolate in separate bowls, either in the microwave or over a double boiler. Once melted, transfer the peanut butter and chocolate into separate resealable bags or piping bags. Snip off a tiny corner of each bag and drizzle the melted peanut butter and chocolate over the top of the pie in a crisscross pattern. Then, sprinkle the mini Reese’s cups and peanut butter chips over the top to add texture and extra peanut flavor. For an extra touch, you can also add a few extra chocolate shavings or chopped peanuts for decoration.
5. Serve and Enjoy:
At this point, your Peanut Butter Pie is ready to be served! Slice into the pie, revealing the creamy, peanut butter-filled center, and enjoy the perfect balance of peanut butter, chocolate, and graham cracker crust. Serve it cold or frozen, depending on your preference.
Notes
- Ingredient Substitutions: If you’re looking for a lower-fat version of this pie, you can substitute reduced-fat cream cheese and use a lighter version of whipped cream. For a healthier crust, you can try using whole-grain graham crackers or even a crust made from crushed nuts for extra crunch.
- Toppings: Feel free to get creative with the toppings! While mini Reese’s cups and peanut butter chips are classic choices, you could also try adding crushed pretzels for a salty crunch, or drizzle caramel sauce on top for a sweet contrast.
- Storage: This Peanut Butter Pie can be stored in the fridge for up to 3 days or in the freezer for up to a month. If freezing, make sure the pie is tightly covered to prevent freezer burn.