Well, today is National Pie day. Yes, pie has it’s very own day. Don’t believe me, check it out. You really didn’t think I would make up a holiday just for an excuse to bake, did you? I know I look for any excuse to bake or get in the kitchen, but this excuse was actually legit!
Holidays, in general, are fun. They are an excuse for people to get together, eat good food, and visit. But food holidays, well how cool is that? Different types of food that are so incredibly good, and loved around the world are special enough to get an entire day dedicated to their goodness! I love it. And I’m pretty sure that every other foodie out there, cook or not, agrees too! What better way to celebrate pie day than with a delicious peanut butter pie?
A few weeks ago I mentioned something about my brother and his love (maybe even obsession) with pies. Although the raspberry cream cheese pie came into the picture because of him, it’s stayed in the picture because of my sister-in-law. This peanut butter pie, however, came into the picture because of my brother and has stayed in the picture because of him. He’ll venture out and requests different types of pie from time to time but he always returns to ol’ faithful, the peanut butter pie.
I can see why he keeps going back to this pie, it is soooo good. It’s packed with huge peanut butter flavor. Short of scooping a heaping spoonful of peanut butter out of the jar and enjoying it all by itself, you can’t get more peanut butter goodness than this pie. The peanut butter is whipped to light perfection, then fresh whipped cream is folded into the peanut butter and it’s then poured in a delicious, homemade graham cracker pie crust to set. While this sounds perfeclty amazing to me, why not take the flavor up another notch or two? Shall we? Melted semi-sweet chocolate is drizzled over the top of the pie, then topped with a heaping dollop of more fresh whipped cream. How good does that soud? Pretty stinkin’ good!
So if you’re looking for an excuse to make something sweet, then look no further. Make a pie today and celebrate pie day! Can’t make it today, well tomorrow is natinal peanut butter day so you can make this pie to celebrate!
Peanut Butter Pie
Ingredients:
2 Cups heavy whipping cream, divided
2 Tbsp sugar
8 Oz (1 bar) cream cheese, room temperature
1 1/2 Cups peanut butter (crunchy or smooth)
1 Cup confectioner’s sugar
1 Graham cracker crust, homemade or store bought (recipe follows)
1/4 Cup semi sweet chocolate
Directions:
Place 1 1/2 cups of heavy whipping cream in a medium bowl with two tablespoons of sugar and beat on high until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
Place cream cheese and peanut butter in a large bowl and beat on high until combined. Gradually add confectioner’s sugar and beat until incorporated. Increase speed to high and beat an additional 1-2 minutes, until mixture is slighly airy. Gently fold the whipping cream into the peanut butter mixture. Transfer mixture to the cooled pie crust.
Place the chocolate in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave in 15 second incremints, until completely melted. Fill a piping bag, fitted with a round tip with the melted chocolate and drizzle the pie with the chocolate.
Whip the remaining 1/2 cup whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Spoon the whipped cream onto the center of the pie. Drizzle with additional chocolate, if desired.
Place the pie in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours before serving, to allow to set.
For the graham cracker crust-
Ingredients:
1 1/2 Cups (about 12 whole crackers finely ground) graham cracker crumbs
1/4 Cup sugar
5 Tbsp unsalted butter*, melted
Pinch of salt
*If using salted butter omit the addition of salt
Directions:
Preheat oven to 350.
Combine graham cracker crumbs, salt, and sugar in a medium bowl and stir to combine. Add the melted butter and stir until incorporated. Pour the crumb mixture into a 9 inch pie plate, spread mixture evenly into the pie plate and press firmly to pack down.
Place pie crust in the preheated oven and bake for 12-14 minutes, until slightly crisp and edges are golden. Remove from oven and allow to cool completely.
Recipe source:peanut butter pie adatped from Paula Deen via Food Network,
graham cracker pie crust Martha Stewart
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