Creamy Peanut Butter Pie with Graham Cracker Crust

This chilled peanut butter pie pairs a crisp graham cracker crust with a light, creamy peanut butter filling folded with whipped cream. A small chocolate garnish adds a bakery-style finish without overwhelming the peanut flavor.
Prep: 25 min · Cook: 10 min · Total: 35 min · Serves: 8
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups heavy cream (cold)
- 2 oz semisweet chocolate (shaved)
- 1.5 cups graham cracker crumbs (finely crushed)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 8 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 6 tbsp unsalted butter (melted)
- 0.25 tsp fine salt
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 tbsp granulated sugar
- 0.75 cup powdered sugar (sifted)
Instructions
- Place a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes while you prepare a 9-inch pie plate.
- Combine 1.5 cups finely crushed graham cracker crumbs, 6 tbsp melted unsalted butter, and 2 tbsp granulated sugar in a medium mixing bowl with a fork for 1-2 minutes, until the crumbs are evenly moistened and hold together when squeezed.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of the 9-inch pie plate using the flat bottom of a measuring cup, making an even crust about 1/4 inch thick.
- Bake the crust on the center rack at 350°F (175°C) for 9-10 minutes, until it smells toasted and the edges look slightly deeper golden brown.
- Transfer the pie plate to a wire rack and cool the crust at room temperature for at least 20 minutes, until it is no longer warm to the touch before adding the filling.
- Beat 8 oz softened cream cheese in a large mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed for 1 minute, until smooth and free of large lumps.
- Add 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 0.75 cup sifted powdered sugar, 1 tsp vanilla extract, and 0.25 tsp fine salt to the bowl, then beat on medium speed for 2 minutes, scraping the bowl once, until the mixture is thick, glossy, and evenly blended.
- Pour 1.5 cups cold heavy cream into a separate chilled medium bowl and whip with clean beaters on medium-high speed for 2-3 minutes, until soft peaks form and the cream mounds gently without looking grainy.
- Fold one-third of the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture with a flexible spatula for about 30 seconds to lighten it, then gently fold in the remaining whipped cream for 1-2 minutes, until no white streaks remain.
- Spoon the filling into the cooled graham cracker crust and smooth the top with an offset spatula, spreading it all the way to the edges so the pie sets evenly.
- Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap without pressing on the surface and refrigerate it on a level shelf for at least 4 hours, until the filling is firm enough to slice cleanly.
- Sprinkle 2 oz shaved semisweet chocolate over the chilled pie, then slice with a sharp knife wiped clean between cuts and serve cold.
Nutrition (per serving)
- Calories: 681
- Protein: 12 g
- Fat: 55 g
- Carbohydrates: 43 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Sugar: 27 g
- Sodium: 383 mg
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