If you adore peanut butter and crave a dessert that feels indulgent yet is easy enough to whip up on any day, this No Bake Peanut Butter Pie Recipe will win your heart instantly. Imagine a luscious, creamy peanut butter filling nestled in a rich chocolate Oreo crust, all coming together without ever turning on the oven. It’s a perfect harmony of flavors and textures, with just the right sweetness and a velvety feel that melts in your mouth. Whether you’re looking to impress friends, satisfy a sweet tooth, or simply enjoy a slice of comfort, this pie delivers every time.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Every ingredient in this recipe plays an essential role in creating that signature balance between creamy, crunchy, and chocolatey. You’ll find most are pantry staples, with each one contributing to the richness, texture, and irresistible flavor that makes this pie so memorable.
- Chocolate baking crumbs: These form the crunchy, chocolatey crust that contrasts perfectly with the creamy filling.
- Melted butter: Works as the binder for the crust, ensuring it holds its shape without baking.
- Cream cheese (room temperature): Gives the filling a smooth, velvety texture and slight tang.
- Smooth peanut butter: The star flavor, providing the rich nutty creaminess everyone loves.
- Powdered icing sugar: Sweetens the filling evenly, dissolving flawlessly without any grittiness.
- Heavy whipping cream (cold, 30% fat or higher): Whipped into the filling for lightness and airy fluffiness.
- Homemade whipped cream: Used as a garnish to add a luxurious finishing touch.
How to Make No Bake Peanut Butter Pie Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Begin by mixing your chocolate baking crumbs with melted butter until the crumbs are evenly coated. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of an 8 or 9-inch pie plate. This creates a sturdy, chocolatey base that sets beautifully in the fridge without baking.
Step 2: Whip the Cream Cheese
In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the room temperature cream cheese until it’s completely smooth with no lumps. This step is crucial for a luxuriously silky filling texture.
Step 3: Add Peanut Butter and Sugar
Next, add the smooth peanut butter and powdered icing sugar to the cream cheese. Beat the ingredients together until fully combined for a well-blended, creamy mixture that carries that classic peanut butter richness.
Step 4: Incorporate the Cream
Pour the cold heavy whipping cream into the bowl and start mixing on low speed to incorporate. Then increase to high speed until the filling thickens to a fluffy, airy consistency. This will lighten the mixture, giving each bite a delightful melt-in-your-mouth sensation. Don’t forget to taste and adjust sweetness if you’d like it a bit sweeter.
Step 5: Assemble and Chill
Spread the peanut butter filling evenly into the prepared chocolate crust and smooth out the top. Refrigerate the pie for at least six hours or overnight so it can set properly. This chilling time allows the flavors to meld and the texture to firm up beautifully.
How to Serve No Bake Peanut Butter Pie Recipe
Garnishes
The presentation is where you can get creative! Crown your pie with a generous dollop of homemade whipped cream, drizzle extra peanut butter over the top, or sprinkle chocolate shavings and chopped peanuts. These garnishes not only elevate the look but add delightful textures and bursts of flavor in every bite.
Side Dishes
This pie pairs wonderfully with fresh berries like raspberries or strawberries, which cut through the richness with a hint of tartness. For a party touch, serve it alongside a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of caramel sauce to complement the peanut buttery goodness.
Creative Ways to Present
For a fun twist, serve this pie in individual mason jars or mini tart pans for single servings. You can also layer the filling and crust in parfait glasses for a peanut butter pie parfait that’s just as delicious as it looks. Whichever way you present it, this dessert is sure to impress!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any leftover pie covered tightly with plastic wrap or in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to three days, making it a convenient treat to enjoy over time without losing its creamy texture or flavor.
Freezing
If you want to save it longer, this No Bake Peanut Butter Pie Recipe freezes beautifully. Wrap it well and place it in the freezer for up to one month. When ready to serve, thaw overnight in the fridge to maintain its perfect consistency.
Reheating
Because this is a no bake, chilled dessert, reheating isn’t necessary or recommended. The best way to enjoy it is cold and creamy straight from the fridge, maintaining that melt-in-your-mouth experience that makes this pie stand out.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
Absolutely! Using crunchy peanut butter will add a delightful texture to the filling, giving you little bursts of peanut crunch throughout the creamy pie. Just note that it might be a bit less smooth than the original.
Is this pie suitable for freezing and thawing? Will the texture change?
Yes, this pie freezes well. After thawing in the refrigerator overnight, the texture remains creamy and stable. Just be sure to cover it well to prevent freezer burn or absorption of other odors.
Can I substitute the cream cheese with mascarpone or another cheese?
You can try mascarpone for a slightly different flavor and a richer mouthfeel, but cream cheese is preferred for its tang and structure that balances the sweet peanut butter. Other substitutes may affect the pie’s texture and stability.
What can I use if I don’t have chocolate baking crumbs on hand?
Oreo cookies without the filling are a perfect alternative. Simply crush about 25 Oreo cookies and mix with melted butter as the base for your crust. It adds a wonderful chocolate flavor and crunch.
Can I make this pie vegan or dairy-free?
For a vegan version, you’d want to swap the cream cheese and heavy cream with plant-based alternatives like vegan cream cheese and coconut cream. Smooth peanut butter is already vegan, so just be mindful of your dairy substitutes to keep the texture right.
Final Thoughts
This No Bake Peanut Butter Pie Recipe is a true gem to have in your dessert repertoire. It’s quick to prepare, requires no oven time, and satisfies peanut butter cravings with every luscious bite. Trust me, once you try this pie, it will become a go-to treat for celebrations or those simple moments when you want a special indulgence without the fuss. Grab your ingredients, give it a go, and enjoy every creamy, dreamy forkful!
Print
No Bake Peanut Butter Pie Recipe
This No Bake Peanut Butter Pie is a rich and creamy dessert featuring a chocolate Oreo crumb crust filled with a smooth peanut butter and cream cheese mixture. Topped with whipped cream and chocolate accents, it’s a decadent treat perfect for any occasion and requires no oven time.
- Total Time: 6 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
Ingredients
Crust
- 2 ½ cups chocolate baking crumbs*
- ½ cup melted butter
Filling
- 2 packages cream cheese, room temperature (16 oz or 500 g total)
- 1 ½ cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 ½ cup powdered icing sugar
- 1 ½ cup heavy whipping cream (30% fat or higher), cold
Garnish
- Homemade whipped cream
- Peanut butter drizzle (optional)
- Chocolate shavings (optional)
- Chopped peanuts (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Stir together the chocolate baking crumbs and melted butter until combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of an 8 or 9-inch pie plate to form an even crust.
- Beat cream cheese: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the cream cheese until smooth and creamy with no lumps.
- Add peanut butter and sugar: Add the smooth peanut butter and powdered sugar to the cream cheese and beat until fully combined and smooth.
- Incorporate cream: Slowly add the cold heavy whipping cream and beat on low speed to incorporate it, then increase to high speed and beat until the filling is thickened and fluffy. Taste the filling and adjust sweetness if desired.
- Assemble and chill: Spread the peanut butter filling evenly into the prepared chocolate crust. Refrigerate the pie for at least 6 hours or overnight to allow it to set properly.
- Garnish and serve: Before serving, top the pie with homemade whipped cream, peanut butter drizzle, chocolate shavings, and chopped peanuts as desired.
Notes
- You can use Oreo cookies with the frosting for the crust by combining 25 Oreo cookies (300 grams) and ½ cup melted butter in a food processor until smooth to create the crust.
- This pie needs at least 6 hours chilling to set properly, so prepare in advance.
- Adjust the sweetness of the filling according to your preference.
- For best results, use cream cheese and heavy cream at the recommended temperatures.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American