Easy Peanut Butter Pie

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Peanut butter pie is an easy no-bake dessert! The rich, elegant, creamy peanut butter filling and chocolate topping make it perfect for casual and special occasions.

Why you'll love this peanut butter pie recipe

• Quick and easy dessert recipe for any skill level.
• No oven is needed for no-bake peanut butter pie. Just blend and chill.
• Use store-bought or homemade crust.
• The 2-ingredient chocolate topping is optional but recommended.
• Perfect for casual gatherings and special occasions.
• No one can resist homemade chocolate peanut butter pie.

Ingredient notes

• Crust—You can make peanut butter pie with my included graham cracker crust recipe or use your favorite prepared crust.
• Cream cheese adds flavor, richness, and structure to peanut butter cream pie filling.
• Peanut butter - I always use unsweetened, natural, creamy peanut butter because it lacks excess ingredients. But any variety will work for this recipe.
• Powdered sugar - Dissolves easily, sweetens, and thickens the peanut butter cream cheese filling, creating a smooth consistency.
• Vanilla extract - Adds a subtle sweetness and depth to the filling and balances the other ingredient flavors.
• Heavy whipping cream (or store-bought frozen whipped topping) adds richness, stability, and an airy texture to the peanut butter cream cheese mixture.
• Chocolate topping - This is optional but certainly recommended for chocolate and peanut butter lovers. Like a classic ganache, you only need chocolate chips, milk, and a heat source.
• (optional) sea salt - This is the secret weapon of chocolate-covered things. A little sprinkle goes a long way.

How to make peanut butter pie

This peanut butter cream pie uses minimal ingredients and only a few steps. Enjoy these photo instructions and grab the full, printable recipe below.

Decide which pie crust you want to use. I've included a homemade crust in the recipe card below.

To make the peanut butter pie filling, beat cream cheese and peanut butter together in a mixing bowl until combined. Add powdered sugar and vanilla. Beat until combined (the texture will be crumbly).

In a separate mixing bowl, whip heavy cream until stiff peaks form. If using packaged whipped topping, skip forward to the next step.

Next, add the whipped cream (or whipped topping) to the peanut butter mixture and beat on low speed until combined – don't over-mix. Spread the creamy pie filling evenly in the prepared crust. Refrigerate the pie momentarily.

Pro tip: If you make the chocolate topping before filling the crust, you can spread a layer on the crust before adding the filling. This adds an unexpected layer of chocolate to the pie. So fun!

To make the chocolate topping or chocolate ganache, heat milk in the microwave until steaming. Then add chocolate chips, rest a few minutes, stir until smooth, and rest about 10 minutes. You want it slightly cooled and spreadable.

Spread the chocolate topping over the cream pie surface in a uniform layer. I like to sprinkle the top with a few crumbs from my homemade crust and a few pinches of salt.

Cover and refrigerate the finished pie for a minimum of 4 hours. Then, it's time to slice, serve, and live happily ever after.

Recipe tips

• Pie crust: Feel free to substitute the pie crust with any prepared crust of your choice.
• Pie plate size - This pie will fit into a 9-inch or 11-inch pie plate, however it may not look as full in the larger crust.
• Peanut butter variety: I use natural, unsalted peanut butter for this recipe, but you can substitute JIF or Peter Pan in equal amounts for a slightly sweeter pie.
• Slicing and serving tip: Cut and serve the pie when frozen or chilled. Opt for slivers, as peanut butter pie is quite rich.
• Make-ahead: You can make and freeze this pie for up to 30 days or longer.
• Toppings: Add extra toppings like graham cracker crumbs, chocolate shavings, flaky sea salt, mini peanut butter cups, chopped peanuts, or whipped cream.

Dessert recipes we love

• Chocolate Eclair Cake
• Bananas Foster
• Chocolate Banana Bread
• Orange Olive Oil Cake

📖 Recipe