Peanut Butter Pie Recipe

If you’re on the hunt for a dessert that’s guaranteed to impress without spending hours in the kitchen, then you’re going to love this peanut butter pie recipe. It’s one of those rare gems that feels indulgent, looks stunning, and comes together with almost no effort. What makes this peanut butter pie recipe truly shine is its perfectly balanced layers: rich, creamy peanut butter meets tangy cream cheese in a smooth, fluffy filling; all cradled in a crisp graham cracker crust that doesn’t even need baking.

Whether you’re prepping for a holiday feast, planning a potluck contribution, or just treating yourself on a Tuesday night, this peanut butter pie recipe has your back. No oven; no stress; just simple, pantry-friendly ingredients coming together to create a dessert that tastes like it came straight from a professional bakery.

Why You Will Love This Peanut Butter Pie Recipe

There’s a reason this old-fashioned peanut butter pie recipe has stood the test of time; it’s simple, nostalgic, and downright irresistible. This peanut butter pie recipe skips the fussy steps and delivers big flavor using just a few rich, creamy ingredients like peanut butter and cream cheese. One of the best parts? This peanut butter pie recipe is incredibly versatile; dress it up with chocolate ganache or keep it classic for any day of the week. It’s the perfect make-ahead dessert for holidays, potlucks, or warm summer nights when turning on the oven isn’t an option. If you need a dependable, no-bake treat, this homemade peanut butter pie recipe is it.

Jump to:

• Ingredients
• Instructions
• Expert Cooking Tips and Hints
• Recipe Variations and Dietary Modifications
• Essential Equipment Recommendations
• Storage and Meal Prep Tips
• Grandma’s Sweet Secret: The Story Behind This Peanut Butter Pie Recipe
• FAQ
• Final Bite: Your New Favorite No-Bake Dessert
• Related
• Pairing
• Peanut Butter Pie Recipe

Ingredients

For the Graham Cracker Crust:

• Graham cracker crumbs – Creates the perfect crispy base that holds up to the creamy filling
• Melted butter – Binds the crumbs and adds richness
• Granulated sugar – Balances the saltiness and helps with texture
• Salt – Enhances all the flavors

For the Peanut Butter Filling:

• Additional powdered sugar (for whipping cream) – Stabilizes the whipped topping
• Creamy peanut butter – The star ingredient; use name-brand for best results
• Cream cheese, softened – Creates the smooth, rich base
• Powdered sugar – Sweetens without grittiness
• Vanilla extract – Adds depth of flavor
• Heavy whipping cream – Makes the filling light and airy

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Make the Crust and Base

1. Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, sugar, and salt in a bowl until it holds together when pressed. Press firmly into a 9-inch pie pan and refrigerate. Meanwhile, beat softened cream cheese until smooth, then add creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until fluffy and well combined.

Pro tip: Make sure your cream cheese is truly softened. Cold cream cheese will create lumps that are difficult to smooth out later.

Create the Fluffy Filling

1. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream and 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar until stiff peaks form – about 3-4 minutes with an electric mixer. Don't overbeat, or you'll end up with butter instead of fluffy whipped cream. Gently fold one-third of the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture to lighten it, then carefully fold in the remaining whipped cream in two additions.
2. The key here is gentle folding – aggressive mixing will deflate the whipped cream and result in a dense filling instead of the fluffy texture we're after.

Assemble and Chill

1. Spoon the peanut butter filling into your prepared crust, spreading it evenly with an offset spatula. The filling should mound slightly above the crust edges – this is normal and looks beautiful when served. Cover the pie with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, though overnight is even better. This no-bake dessert needs time for the flavors to meld and the texture to set properly.

Expert Cooking Tips and Hints

• Temperature matters: All your ingredients should be at room temperature except the heavy cream, which whips better when cold. Take your cream cheese out about an hour before starting.
• Crust perfection: Press your graham cracker crust firmly but don't overpack it. A crust that's too dense won't cut cleanly. If you find it's crumbling when you slice the pie, let it sit at room temperature for 10 minutes before cutting.
• Smooth filling secrets: When folding in the whipped cream, work quickly but gently. The temperature difference between the peanut butter mixture and cold whipped cream can cause deflation if you take too long.
• Make-ahead magic: This frozen peanut butter pie actually improves after a day in the refrigerator. The flavors develop and the texture becomes even more perfect.

Recipe Variations and Dietary Modifications

Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

• Transform this into a chocolate lover's dream by adding ¼ cup cocoa powder to the filling or drizzling chocolate ganache over the top. You can also use a chocolate cookie crust instead of graham crackers.

Healthier Options

• For a lighter version, substitute half the cream cheese with Greek yogurt and use sugar-free powdered sweetener. The texture will be slightly different but still delicious.

Gluten-Free Version

• Simply use gluten-free graham crackers or make a crust from crushed gluten-free cookies. The filling is naturally gluten-free.

Vegan Adaptation

• Use vegan cream cheese, coconut whipped cream, and ensure your graham crackers are vegan-friendly. The result is surprisingly close to the original.

Reese's Inspired

• Fold in chopped peanut butter cups to the filling and garnish with more on top. Add a drizzle of melted chocolate for the ultimate candy bar experience.

Essential Equipment Recommendations

• 9-inch pie pan: A glass or ceramic pan works best as it doesn't conduct heat like metal, keeping your no-bake pie at the perfect temperature.
• Electric mixer: While you can make this by hand, an electric mixer ensures the smoothest filling and properly whipped cream.
• Rubber spatula: Essential for gentle folding that maintains the airy texture.
• Offset spatula: Makes spreading the filling evenly much easier and gives you that professional bakery look.
• Budget-friendly alternatives work just fine – you don't need expensive equipment to make this restaurant-quality dessert at home.

Storage and Meal Prep Tips

Refrigerator Storage

• This peanut butter cream pie recipe keeps beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 5 days when covered with plastic wrap. The texture actually improves after the first day as everything sets perfectly.

Freezing Instructions

• For longer storage, this pie freezes wonderfully for up to 3 months. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap, then aluminum foil. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight before serving. The texture remains creamy and delicious.

Serving Tips

• Remove from the refrigerator 10-15 minutes before serving for the easiest slicing. Use a sharp knife dipped in warm water and wiped clean between cuts for the cleanest slices.to freezing for X days/weeks/months.

FAQ

Final Bite: Your New Favorite No-Bake Dessert

This peanut butter pie recipe is the perfect example of how a truly impressive dessert can be easy to make. With every bite of this peanut butter pie recipe, you get rich, fluffy filling and a crunchy graham cracker crust that delivers that irresistible sweet-and-salty balance. Whether you're making it for a celebration, a potluck, or just a cozy evening at home, this peanut butter pie recipe always hits the mark. It’s simple, delicious, and a recipe you’ll come back to again and again.

And hey, if you’re on a peanut butter kick, don’t miss our soft-baked Peanut Butter Cookies Recipe or indulge in something smooth and decadent like this Dark Chocolate Avocado Mousse Recipe; both pair perfectly with the vibes of this peanut butter pie recipe.
Go ahead and try it—then let us know how yours turned out. Did you add toppings? A chocolate swirl? We’d love to hear your twist.

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Pairing

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