If you love the rich, creamy indulgence of peanut butter combined with a cool, refreshing dessert, you are going to adore this Frozen Peanut Butter Pie Recipe. It’s a perfect balance of crunchy, smooth, and sweet that melts in your mouth, making it an irresistible treat for any occasion. Whether you’re serving it on a warm day or just craving something fun and luscious, this pie will quickly become a favorite in your dessert arsenal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These simple but essential ingredients come together beautifully to create amazing flavor, texture, and visual appeal. Each element plays an important role, from the crunchy crust to the silky filling and gooey chocolate layer.
- ½ cup finely chopped dry roasted peanuts: Adds a toasty crunch and nutty depth that enhances the peanut butter flavor.
- ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs: Forms the base of the crust with a subtle sweetness and crisp texture.
- ¼ cup sugar: Balances flavors and adds a hint of sweetness to the crust.
- â…“ cup melted butter: Binds the crust ingredients together and adds richness.
- ½ cup chocolate chips: Creates a decadent chocolate layer that perfectly complements the peanut butter.
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream: Whipped to soft peaks, it lightens the filling into a fluffy, dreamy texture.
- 6-oz cream cheese, softened: Adds tangy creaminess and stability to the peanut butter filling.
- 10 Tbsp crunchy peanut butter: The star ingredient, delivering bold peanut flavor and texture.
- 6 Tbsp whole milk: Slightly thins the filling for a smooth consistency.
- 10 Tbsp powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling without graininess.
How to Make Frozen Peanut Butter Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Start by preheating your oven to 350ºF to get things warm and ready for baking. Combine finely chopped peanuts, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter in a bowl until the mixture looks like wet sand. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie plate. Baking it for about 10 minutes will give the crust a delightful crunch and lock in those toasty peanut flavors.
Step 2: Add the Chocolate Layer
Right after taking the crust out of the oven, sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the warm crust. The heat will melt the chocolate quickly, and using a spatula or the back of a spoon, spread the melted chocolate into a thin, even layer. This chocolate barrier is fantastic—it prevents your crust from getting soggy once the filling is added while adding that luscious chocolate-peanut butter combo we all love.
Step 3: Whip the Cream
In a clean mixing bowl, whip the heavy cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. This means the cream should hold gentle peaks without becoming stiff or grainy. The whipped cream adds lightness and volume to the rich peanut butter filling, giving the pie a perfect fluffy texture.
Step 4: Make the Peanut Butter Filling
Using the same mixer bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and crunchy peanut butter until smooth and creamy. Gradually add whole milk and powdered sugar, continuing to mix until everything is well combined and silky. This creamy mixture is the heart of the Frozen Peanut Butter Pie Recipe, providing that irresistible peanut flavor and smooth consistency.
Step 5: Fold in the Whipped Cream
Gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture using a spatula. Be careful to fold rather than stir vigorously—you want to keep as much air in the whip as possible to maintain a light and fluffy filling.
Step 6: Assemble and Freeze
Pour the peanut butter filling into the chocolate-lined crust, smoothing the top. Cover the pie with plastic wrap or foil and freeze until firm, ideally overnight. This allows the flavors to meld and the pie to set into that perfect frozen delight.
Step 7: Let It Thaw Before Serving
When you’re ready to enjoy, remove the pie from the freezer and let it sit at room temperature for about 30 minutes. This short thaw makes slicing easier and ensures each bite is creamy and smooth, never too icy.
How to Serve Frozen Peanut Butter Pie Recipe
Garnishes
Enhance your pie’s natural beauty by topping slices with a sprinkle of chopped peanuts, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or even a dollop of whipped cream. These little touches boost texture and make every serving look like a showstopper.
Side Dishes
Serve this pie alongside fresh berries or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for contrast, balancing the pie’s richness with bright or creamy complements. A simple cup of coffee also pairs perfectly, turning your dessert moment into a true treat.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving individual portions in small ramekins layered with crushed peanuts or chocolate shavings on top. For parties, you can make mini frozen peanut butter pies using muffin tins, giving guests adorable, ready-to-eat bites that look as good as they taste.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover Frozen Peanut Butter Pie Recipe covered tightly in the freezer. Properly wrapped, it will maintain its flavor and texture for up to two weeks. When you’re ready to enjoy again, just thaw as you would for the initial serving.
Freezing
This pie is a freezer-friendly champion! After baking the crust and assembling, freeze the pie well to maintain its shape and refreshing texture. The cheesecake-like filling freezes beautifully, making it perfect to prepare well in advance for gatherings.
Reheating
Since this is a frozen pie, you don’t need to reheat it. Simply thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before slicing and serving. This gives the filling a creamy mouthfeel without losing the frozen delight.
FAQs
Can I use smooth peanut butter instead of crunchy?
Absolutely! Smooth peanut butter works just as well and will give the filling a silkier texture. Using crunchy peanut butter, however, adds a delightful bit of texture that some people really enjoy.
Is it necessary to bake the crust?
Baking the crust helps to lock in the flavors, crisp it up nicely, and ensures the chocolate layer melts perfectly. Skipping this step might result in a soggy crust, so it’s best not to skip it.
Can I make this pie without cream cheese?
Cream cheese adds tang and structure to the filling, making it more stable and creamy. If you’re allergic or don’t have cream cheese, you might need a substitute like mascarpone or a thick yogurt, but the texture and flavor will vary slightly.
How long should I freeze the pie before it’s ready to eat?
Freezing overnight is ideal to let everything firm up properly. If you’re in a rush, at least 4-6 hours should still yield a nicely frozen pie, but the texture improves with more time.
Can I add other flavors to the filling?
Definitely! A pinch of cinnamon, a splash of vanilla extract, or even a swirl of chocolate ganache can add a fantastic twist. Just be careful not to overpower the beautiful peanut butter flavor that’s at the heart of this pie.
Final Thoughts
There’s something truly magical about the Frozen Peanut Butter Pie Recipe that keeps you coming back for another slice. Its creamy, nutty, and chocolatey layers paired with a crunchy crust make it a dessert you’ll want to share and savor over and over. If you haven’t tried making it yet, now’s the perfect time to dive in and discover your new favorite frozen treat.
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Frozen Peanut Butter Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes plus overnight freezing
- Yield: 8 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
This Frozen Peanut Butter Pie is a delicious no-bake dessert featuring a crunchy graham cracker and peanut crust, layered with melted chocolate and a creamy, fluffy peanut butter filling. Perfectly chilled and easy to prepare, this pie is a crowd-pleaser for peanut butter lovers and a cool treat for warm days.
Ingredients
Crust
- ½ cup finely chopped dry roasted peanuts
- ¾ cup graham cracker crumbs
- ¼ cup sugar
- â…“ cup melted butter
Chocolate Layer
- ½ cup chocolate chips
Filling
- ¾ cup heavy whipping cream
- 6 oz cream cheese, softened
- 10 Tbsp crunchy peanut butter
- 6 Tbsp whole milk
- 10 Tbsp powdered sugar
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350ºF to prepare for baking the crust.
- Make the Crust: In a bowl, combine finely chopped dry roasted peanuts, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. Mix until everything is evenly coated. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie plate to form the crust.
- Bake the Crust: Place the crust in the preheated oven and bake for 10 minutes. This process helps to set the crust and bring out the flavors.
- Add Chocolate Layer: Remove the crust from the oven and immediately sprinkle chocolate chips evenly over the bottom. Allow the heat of the crust to melt the chocolate chips, then use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate into a thin, even layer.
- Whip the Cream: Using an electric mixer, whip the heavy whipping cream until soft peaks form. Set this whipped cream aside for later use.
- Prepare Peanut Butter Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat together the softened cream cheese and crunchy peanut butter until smooth using the electric mixer. Gradually add whole milk and powdered sugar, mixing until fully combined and creamy.
- Combine Whipped Cream and Peanut Butter Mixture: Gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture, careful to maintain the airy texture.
- Fill the Pie: Pour the peanut butter filling into the baked crust evenly.
- Freeze the Pie: Cover the pie and freeze it until firm, preferably overnight, to allow the filling to set properly.
- Serve: Remove the pie from the freezer and let it thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before slicing and serving for the best texture and flavor.
Notes
- For best results, use room temperature cream cheese to ensure a smooth filling.
- You can substitute crunchy peanut butter with smooth if preferred, but crunch adds texture.
- Allowing the pie to thaw slightly before serving helps achieve a creamy slice that’s easy to cut.
- Store leftover pie covered in the freezer for up to 1 week.
- Optionally, garnish with additional chopped peanuts or whipped cream before serving.
