Peanut Butter Pie with Cool Whip: A Nostalgic Treat for Every Occasion
There’s something truly magical about a dessert that can make everyone at the table pause, take a deep breath, and dive in with a smile. This Peanut Butter Pie with Cool Whip is one of those dishes. It’s a recipe that brings back memories of family gatherings where laughter echoed through the house and kids raced around the backyard. Imagine a sunny Saturday afternoon: kids playing outside, the smell of fresh coffee brewing, and me in the kitchen, whipping up this pie to surprise everyone. The best part is seeing the joy on my family’s faces when I bring it out, a sweet reward after a day of fun and togetherness. It’s simple, it’s delicious, and it’s bound to become a family favorite in your home too.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Family Favorite
This Peanut Butter Pie with Cool Whip is a crowd-pleaser that brings everyone together, perfect for family dinners or potlucks. Its rich, creamy flavor and inviting texture make it a surefire hit with both kids and adults. The combination of peanut butter and chocolate is timeless, reminiscent of childhood favorites like Reese’s cups, but elevated to a more sophisticated dessert form.
No-Bake Option
Whether you’re battling summer heat or pressed for time, the no-bake crust option makes this dessert a breeze. You can enjoy a delicious pie without ever turning on the oven, making it an ideal choice for those sweltering days when you crave something sweet but don’t want to add heat to your kitchen.
Comfort Food at Its Best
With creamy peanut butter and rich hot fudge, this pie offers a comforting taste of nostalgia. Each bite is like a hug in dessert form, reminding you of cherished moments spent with loved ones. It’s a dessert that feels like home, perfect for creating new memories.
Accessible Ingredients
You likely have most of these items in your pantry, making this an easy go-to dessert. No need for a special trip to the grocery store; you can whip it up with pantry staples like peanut butter, cream cheese, and Cool Whip. This simplicity allows you to focus more on enjoying the dessert and less on complicated preparations.
Make-Ahead Convenience
Prep this pie ahead of time and freeze it, so you’re always ready for last-minute guests or a sweet treat after dinner. Its ability to be made in advance makes it a stress-free option for any occasion. Simply pull it from the freezer, add some garnishes, and you’re ready to impress.
The Recipe
Ingredients
- 23 Nutter Butter cookies: These create a flavorful, peanut-y crust that complements the pie’s filling.
- 4 tablespoons salted butter: Enhances the flavor of the crust, providing a rich, buttery taste.
- 1/2 cup hot fudge (or more to taste): Adds a layer of gooey chocolate goodness that pairs beautifully with peanut butter.
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened): Gives the filling its creamy, smooth texture while balancing the sweetness.
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling without adding graininess.
- 1 cup peanut butter: The star of the show, providing that classic, comforting flavor we all love.
- 3 tablespoons milk: These add moisture and depth of flavor to the filling.
- 1 tablespoon vanilla: Enhances the overall flavor profile of the pie.
- 8 ounces cool whip: Lightens the filling, making it airy and easy to spread.
- Extra hot fudge: For garnish, adding visual appeal and extra chocolatey goodness.
- Melted peanut butter: To drizzle, enhancing both appearance and taste.
- Mini chocolate chips: For garnish, adding a delightful texture contrast.
Directions
For the Crust:
Prepare the crust: If you’re opting to bake your crust, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Take out your cream cheese now to let it soften.
Add Nutter Butters to a food processor and blend until they are fine crumbs. If you don’t have a food processor, place the cookies in a ziplock bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
Melt the butter in a small bowl. Combine it with the crumbs using your food processor, or mix by hand in a bowl if needed.
Transfer the mixture to a 9-inch pie pan or springform pan, pressing the crumbs into the bottom and up the sides.
You can either refrigerate/freeze the crust for 1 hour or bake it for 10 minutes. Refrigerating gives a crumbly texture, while baking offers a sturdier, crunchier crust.
Cool completely if you baked it by placing it in the freezer for a short time.
For the Filling:
Warm your jar of hot fudge in the microwave for about 30 seconds until it’s spreadable. Layer about 1/2 cup onto the crust. Feel free to add more if you like!
In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth, ensuring you scrape the sides and bottom.
Add the powdered sugar and peanut butter, beating until well combined. Mix in the milk and vanilla.
Gently fold in half of the cool whip until mostly incorporated, then fold in the remaining cool whip.
Spread this creamy filling over the hot fudge layer.
Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 2-3 hours until firm. Alternatively, refrigerate if you prefer a softer pie.
When ready to serve, heat any leftover hot fudge and melt a bit of peanut butter. Drizzle over the pie, and garnish with mini chocolate chips and extra Nutter Butters if desired.
Nutrition Information
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 761 kcal
- Fat: 45g
- Saturated Fat: 17g
- Cholesterol: 52mg
- Sodium: 580mg
- Carbohydrates: 77g
- Fiber: 3g
- Sugar: 43g
- Protein: 12g
Time Details
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Kitchen Tools You’ll Need
- Food processor (or ziplock bag and rolling pin)
- Microwave
- Large mixing bowl or stand mixer
- 9-inch pie pan or springform pan
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Spatula
The Benefits of Each Ingredient
Nutter Butter Cookies
These cookies are not just a convenient crust option; they bring a depth of flavor that complements the creaminess of the filling. Their peanut butter essence enhances the overall theme of the pie, making every bite cohesive and delicious.
Salted Butter
The addition of salted butter in the crust enhances the flavor profile by providing a balance between sweet and savory. This contrast helps to highlight the sweetness of the filling, while the buttery richness adds to the overall indulgence of the dessert.
Hot Fudge
The hot fudge layer adds a luxurious element to the pie, offering a gooey texture that contrasts with the creamy filling. It also provides a delightful chocolatey taste that pairs perfectly with the peanut butter, creating a classic flavor combination.
Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is essential for achieving the smooth, creamy texture of the filling. Its slight tanginess balances the sweetness of the other ingredients, ensuring that the pie is rich yet not overwhelmingly sweet.
Powdered Sugar
This ingredient is crucial for sweetening the filling without adding any graininess. Its fine texture allows it to dissolve completely, ensuring a smooth and creamy filling that melts in your mouth.
Peanut Butter
As the star of the show, peanut butter provides the comforting, familiar flavor that makes this pie so irresistible. Its creamy texture and rich taste are what make this dessert a beloved favorite.
Milk and Vanilla
These ingredients add moisture and depth of flavor to the filling. The milk helps to achieve the desired consistency, while the vanilla adds a subtle aroma that enhances the overall taste of the pie.
Cool Whip
Cool Whip is used to lighten the filling, making it airy and easy to spread. Its creamy texture complements the other ingredients, ensuring that each slice is both rich and light.
What to Serve With This Dish
This pie is a delightful dessert on its own, but you can pair it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an even more indulgent treat. A fresh cup of coffee or a glass of cold milk complements its rich flavors, making it a perfect end to any meal. For a fun family gathering, consider serving it alongside a simple fruit salad to add a refreshing contrast.
Storage & Leftover Tips
To store any leftovers (if there are any!), cover the pie with plastic wrap and keep it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. For longer storage, you can freeze individual slices wrapped in plastic wrap and foil for up to a month. Simply thaw in the fridge before serving. This pie also makes a great make-ahead dessert for busy weeks; just prepare it, freeze, and enjoy when the craving strikes.
Tips for Perfecting Your Peanut Butter Pie
Ensure Even Crust Thickness
When pressing the crust into the pan, aim for an even thickness on both the bottom and sides. This ensures that each slice holds together well and looks as good as it tastes. Using the bottom of a measuring cup can help you achieve a smooth, even surface.
Room Temperature Ingredients
For the best texture, ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature before mixing. This helps it blend smoothly with the other ingredients, eliminating any lumps and ensuring a creamy filling.
Customize Your Garnishes
Feel free to get creative with your garnishes. Consider adding crushed peanuts for extra crunch, or drizzle caramel sauce for a different flavor profile. You can also create decorative patterns with the melted peanut butter and hot fudge for a visually appealing presentation.
Serving Suggestions
For a clean slice, use a sharp knife dipped in hot water, wiping it off between cuts. This technique helps to prevent the filling from sticking to the knife, ensuring each slice looks neat and appetizing.
Creating Memories with Every Slice
Cooking is all about bringing joy and warmth to those we love, and this Peanut Butter Pie with Cool Whip does just that. Whether you’re sharing it with family around the dinner table or bringing it to a neighborhood potluck, it’s sure to be a hit. The simplicity of the recipe allows you to focus on the joy of sharing a homemade dessert with loved ones, creating memories that last a lifetime. I hope this recipe becomes a cherished favorite in your household, just as it has in mine. Enjoy every bite and the memories that come with it.
Peanut Butter Pie with Cool Whip
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Prepare the crust. If baking your crust, preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. (Now is also a good time to get out your cream cheese to soften)
- Add Nutter Butters to a food processor and blend until they are fine crumbs. (If you don’t have a food processor, add them to a ziplock and crush with the edge of a rolling pin.)
- Melt the butter in a small bowl. Pour the butter into the food processor and blend well. (Mix together crumbs and butter in a bowl if you don’t have a food processor.)
- Dump the mixture into a 9 inch pie pan or springform pan. No need to grease the pan.
- Use the bottom of a glass or the bottom of a measuring cup to press the crumbs into the bottom and up the sides of the pan.
- At this point you can either refrigerate/freeze the crust for 1 hour or bake the crust for 10 minutes at 350. Refrigerating results in a more crumbly crust, baking will get a sturdier crust that is a little more crunchy. Both methods work great.
- Cool the crust completely if you baked it. I put it in the freezer for a bit.
- Put your jar of hot fudge in the microwave for 30 seconds or so, until it is easy to spread. Spread about 1/2 cup fudge on the bottom of the crust.
- In a large bowl or stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until it is smooth, making sure to scrape sides and bottom. Add the powdered sugar and peanut butter and beat until incorporated.
- Mix in milk and vanilla.
- Add half of the cool whip and fold it into the mixture. When it is mostly incorporated, fold in the remaining cool whip.
- Spread the peanut butter filling on top of the hot fudge.
- Cover with plastic wrap and freeze for 2-3 hours, until firm. You can also refrigerate until firm if you aren’t into frozen pies.
- Heat up any remaining hot fudge. Add a little peanut butter to a bowl and melt it in the microwave. Use a spoon to drizzle peanut butter and fudge over the whole pie, or each slice as you serve it.
- Garnish with extra Nutter Butters, if you haven’t already eaten them all!