Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

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Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Introduction

The Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie is the ultimate indulgence for dessert lovers. It pairs the creamy, nutty richness of peanut butter mousse with a luscious chocolate ganache topping, all nestled into a buttery crust. Every bite is smooth, decadent, and perfectly balanced between sweet and salty. This dessert is a crowd-pleaser for holidays, birthdays, potlucks, or just a Tuesday night when your sweet tooth calls.

History

Peanut butter pie traces its origins to the American South, where cream pies became popular in the early 20th century. Peanut butter, commercialized by brands like Skippy and Jif in the 1930s, became a staple ingredient in homes and bakeries. Over time, cooks combined peanut butter’s salty creaminess with chocolate’s richness, creating a beloved American classic. The chilled no-bake version (like this one) rose in popularity in the 1970s and ’80s because it was easy, required minimal equipment, and could be made ahead of time.

Benefits

No-Bake Ease – Perfect for hot days when you don’t want to turn on the oven.

Rich but Simple – Minimal ingredients deliver maximum flavor.

Make-Ahead Friendly – Actually tastes better after chilling overnight.

Versatile – Works with various crusts (Oreo, graham cracker, or pretzel).

Ingredients

(Serves 8–10)

For the Crust:

1 ½ cups crushed graham crackers or Oreo cookies (about 10–12 whole)

6 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

2 tbsp sugar (skip if using Oreos)

For the Peanut Butter Filling:

1 cup creamy peanut butter (not natural — use shelf-stable for best texture)

225 g (8 oz) cream cheese, softened

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 ¼ cups heavy whipping cream, whipped to stiff peaks

For the Chocolate Ganache Topping:

  • 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Instructions & Method

  1. Prepare the Crust
    • In a mixing bowl, combine crushed cookies/graham crackers with melted butter and sugar.
    • Press mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie dish.
    • Chill in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
  2. Make the Peanut Butter Filling
    • In a large bowl, beat peanut butter and cream cheese until smooth.
    • Add powdered sugar and vanilla; beat until fully incorporated.
    • Gently fold in whipped cream until light and fluffy.
    • Spread the filling evenly over the chilled crust.
  3. Prepare the Ganache
    • In a heatproof bowl, add chocolate chips.
    • Heat cream in a small saucepan until steaming (not boiling) and pour over chocolate.
    • Let sit for 1–2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
  4. Assemble the Pie
    • Pour ganache over the peanut butter layer, spreading evenly.
    • Chill for at least 4 hours (preferably overnight) until set.
  5. Serve
    • Slice and serve chilled. Pairs beautifully with pretzels for dipping, as shown in the picture.

Formation

This dessert is built in three distinct layers:

  1. Base layer – A crunchy, buttery crust for structure.
  2. Middle layer – A fluffy peanut butter mousse for creaminess.
  3. Top layer – A smooth chocolate ganache for richness.

The result is a perfectly balanced bite of salty, sweet, creamy, and crunchy textures.

Nutrition (Per Slice – Approximation, 1/10 of pie)

Calories: ~420 kcal

Protein: 7 g

Carbohydrates: 34 g

Fat: 30 g

Fiber: 2 g

Sugar: ~22 g

Sodium: ~230 mg

Lovers of This Dish

Peanut butter fanatics – For those who can’t resist a nutty dessert.

Chocolate lovers – Because ganache makes everything better.

Sweet-and-salty enthusiasts – Especially with pretzel pairings.

Make-ahead dessert fans – Low effort, high reward.

Conclusion

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie isn’t just a dessert — it’s a love letter to indulgence. With a smooth, creamy peanut butter center and a glossy chocolate cap, it captures the essence of comfort food in dessert form. It’s the kind of treat that wins over any crowd, disappears quickly, and leaves people asking for the recipe.

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