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This easy peanut butter pie is a classic Southern dessert! With a vanilla wafer cookie crust and a light, creamy peanut butter filling, it’s the perfect combination of salty-and-sweet flavors with smooth and crunchy textures. Best of all, the old fashioned peanut butter pie comes together with a no-bake filling that requires just minutes of hands-on effort! Finish each slice with a dollop of whipped cream for a decadent addition to your next cookout, Sunday supper, or holiday table.
![Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (1) Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (1)](https://i0.wp.com/www.theseasonedmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peanut-Butter-Pie-3.jpg)
Table of Contents
- Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie
- The Vanilla Wafer Crust
- Ingredients
- How To Make Easy Peanut Butter Pie
- how to serve homemade peanut butter pie
- How to Store No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
- Recipe Variations
- Tips for the best peanut butter pie recipe
- Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie Recipe
Here in Virginia, we’re very proud of our pork, oysters, and peanuts! Whether it’s a baked ham on Easter, a pot of oyster stew on Christmas Eve, or an easy peanut butter pie for dessert, these ingredients are a way of life in our culture and find their way into many of our favorite recipes.
The good news is that you don’t need to be a Virginian to enjoy the true decadence of a rich and creamy Southern peanut butter pie from scratch. This make-ahead dessert comes together with a handful of kitchen staples and a few minutes of prep. It’s perfect year-round — from birthday celebrations to casual cookouts, Sunday suppers to Thanksgiving dessert buffets. It’s a sweet treat that the whole family loves!
Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie
Peanut butter pie is a dessert made with a pie crust (either traditional pastry, graham cracker or cookie-based) and a creamy peanut butter filling. There are endless varieties, from no-bake peanut butter pies with Cool Whip to frozen pies and chocolate peanut butter pies. The no-bake filling for this particular old-fashioned recipe includes 4 simple ingredients: peanut butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and whipped cream. They’re blended together until smooth and thick, then chilled in the pie crust until set. It doesn’t get much easier!
![Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (2) Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (2)](https://i0.wp.com/www.theseasonedmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peanut-Butter-Pie.jpg)
The Vanilla Wafer Crust
While the filling is decadent and perfect, the crust is what really sets this recipe apart from other peanut butter pies. Instead of a classic pastry crust or a graham cracker crust, this buttery, rich crust is made with vanilla wafer cookie crumbs.The cookies create a thick, flavorful crust that doesn’t become soggy (even after multiple days in the fridge).Since the crust is par-baked, it has a subtle, toasted, nutty taste and is incredibly sturdy. It’s the best counterpart to the light, creamy filling.
![Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (3) Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (3)](https://i0.wp.com/www.theseasonedmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peanut-Butter-Pie-2.jpg)
Ingredients
This is a quick overview of the ingredients that you’ll need for an easy peanut butter pie from scratch. As always, specific measurements and step-by-step instructions are included in the printable recipe box at the bottom of the post.
- Vanilla wafer cookie crumbs, butter, and sugar: combine to form the crust. Make sure that the cookies are in fine crumbs so that the crust holds together well.
- Peanut butter: use a processed creamy variety such as Jif or Skippy.
- Cream cheese: make sure that it’s softened at room temperature so that it easily blends with the peanut butter. Use a block of full-fat cream cheese (not a tub).
- Confectioners’ sugar (also called “powdered sugar”): sifted for a smooth, sweet filling.
- Heavy whipping cream: for a thick, rich, creamy pie. Do not substitute milk, half-and-half, or other lower-fat alternatives for the heavy cream.
![Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (4) Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (4)](https://i0.wp.com/www.theseasonedmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peanut-Butter-Pie-Horizontal-7.jpg)
How To Make Easy Peanut Butter Pie
This peanut butter cream cheese pie is quick, easy, and totally decadent! It satisfies every craving — salty, sweet, smooth, creamy, and crunchy. The easy pie is also perfect at any time of year for any celebration. Nobody can resist a slice of this classic Southern dessert with so much peanut butter flavor!
- Bake the crust in a pie pan; then let it cool completely.
- Mix together the filling with a hand mixer or stand mixer.
- Spread the peanut butter mixture in the crust.
- Chill the pie for at least 4 hours (or overnight).
- Slice and serve!
![Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (5) Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (5)](https://i0.wp.com/www.theseasonedmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peanut-Butter-Pie-Horizontal.jpg)
![Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (6) Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (6)](https://i0.wp.com/www.theseasonedmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peanut-Butter-Pie-Horizontal-2.jpg)
![Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (7) Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (7)](https://i0.wp.com/www.theseasonedmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peanut-Butter-Pie-Horizontal-3.jpg)
![Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (8) Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (8)](https://i0.wp.com/www.theseasonedmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peanut-Butter-Pie-Horizontal-4.jpg)
how to serve homemade peanut butter pie
The creamy peanut butter pie is best-served cold (straight from the fridge), with a dusting of crunchy, chopped, salted peanuts on top. Add a dollop of sweetened freshly-whipped cream on top (or take a shortcut and use some store-bought Cool Whip or other whipped topping). Feeling really extravagant? Garnish with a scoop of vanilla ice cream, a sprinkling of miniature chocolate chips, chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of chocolate syrup.
![Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (10) Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (10)](https://i0.wp.com/www.theseasonedmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peanut-Butter-Pie-7.jpg)
How to Store No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie
Cover the pie and store in therefrigerator for 3-4 days.It is best when enjoyed within the first 2 days of preparation.
You can store peanut butter pie in thefreezer for up to 1 month.
![Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (11) Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (11)](https://i0.wp.com/www.theseasonedmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peanut-Butter-Pie-6.jpg)
Recipe Variations
- Make the crust with Oreos instead of vanilla wafers. The oreo crust will give you that delicious chocolate and peanut butter flavor combination. Chocolate graham cracker crumbs would also make a great crust!
- Add a dash of vanilla extract to the filling.
- Garnish the top of the pie with chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups, chocolate shavings, chocolate chips, or chocolate syrup.
- For a truly no-bake peanut butter pie that’s even easier and faster, purchase a store-bought graham cracker crust instead of making your own crust from scratch.
Tips for the best peanut butter pie recipe
- Use processed peanut butter(like Jif or Skippy) rather than all-natural peanut butter. The processed nut butters do not separate.
- Use full-fat block-style cream cheese for the filling.The texture will not work with low-fat cream cheese or cream cheese spread from a tub.
- Sift the confectioners’ sugarto avoid any lumps in your filling.
- Be careful not to overmix the filling. Beat just until the mixture thickens (which happens pretty quickly). Too much mixing can give the whipped cream a grainy, broken texture.
- You may have more filling than what will fit in the crust. Refrigerate any extra filling — it will set up and be a deliciouspeanut butter mousseto eat with a spoon or scoop with cookies. The chef’s treat!
- Allow at least 4 hours for the filling to set in the refrigerator. I typically prepare the pie a day ahead and let it sit overnight.
- Garnish the chilled pie with chopped peanuts and whipped cream just before serving. Don’t add the peanuts too early, or they can become soft.
![Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (13) Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie (No-Bake) | The Seasoned Mom (13)](https://i0.wp.com/www.theseasonedmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Peanut-Butter-Pie-5.jpg)
More Pie Recipes to Try
Dutch Apple Pie {Apple Crumble Pie}
Old-Fashioned Lemon Buttermilk Pie
Ice Cream Pie
Mom’s Easy Apple Pie
Easy Key Lime Pie Recipe
Chocolate Chess Pie
Easy Southern Pecan Pie Recipe
Chocolate Pudding Pie
Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie
5 from 2 votes
Prep: 40 minutes minutes
Cook: 10 minutes minutes
Chilling Time 6 hours hours
Total: 6 hours hours 50 minutes minutes
Servings 8 slices
Calories 952 kcal
An old-fashioned peanut butter pie is a classic (and easy) Southern dessert! This no-bake pie is creamy and decadent. Serve topped with whipped cream and chopped peanuts for extra sweetness.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups vanilla wafer cookie crumbs (I use 60 whole Nilla wafer cookies)
- 6 tablespoons salted butter melted and cooled
- ¼ cup sugar
For the Filling:
- 1 ½ cups creamy peanut butter
- 1 (8 ounce) block cream cheese softened at room temperature
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar sifted
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- Optional garnish: chopped peanuts, whipped cream
Instructions
Prepare the Crust:
Preheat oven to 400° F.
In a bowl, combine cookie crumbs, melted butter, and sugar. Pat the mixture onto the bottom and sides of a buttered 9-inch pie plate. I use the flat bottom of a small measuring cup to press the crumbs in an even layer.
Bake the shell in the 400° F oven for 10 minutes, transfer it to a rack, and let cool completely.
Prepare the Filling:
Once the crust is completely cool, prepare the filling. In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the peanut butter and cream cheese on medium speed until combined. Add confectioners’ sugar and beat to combine. Add cream; mix on low speed until combined. Increase mixer to high speed; beat just until the mixture thickens (be careful not to overbeat).
Spread the filling in the pie crust. Cover and refrigerate until firm, at least 4 hours or overnight.
Garnish with chopped peanuts and whipped cream just before serving.
Notes
- Use a processed peanut butter(like Jif or Skippy) rather than all-natural peanut butter. The processed nut butters do not separate, which yields a better quality filling.
- Use full-fat block-style cream cheese for the filling.The texture will not work with low fat cream cheese or cream cheese spread from a tub.
- Sift the confectioners’ sugarto avoid any lumps in your filling.
- Be careful not to overmix the filling. Beat just until the mixture thickens (which happens pretty quickly). Too much mixing can give the whipped cream a grainy, broken texture.
- You may have more filling than will fit in the crust. Refrigerate any extra filling — it will set up and be a deliciouspeanut butter mousseto eat with a spoon or scoop with cookies. The chef’s treat!
- Allow at least 4 hours for the filling to set in the refrigerator. I typically prepare the pie a day ahead and let it sit overnight.
- Garnish the chilled pie with chopped peanuts and whipped cream just before serving. Don’t add the peanuts too early or they can become soft.
Nutrition
Serving: 1sliceCalories: 952kcalCarbohydrates: 66gProtein: 17gFat: 72gSaturated Fat: 32gPolyunsaturated Fat: 11gMonounsaturated Fat: 24gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 136mgSodium: 592mgPotassium: 438mgFiber: 4gSugar: 41gVitamin A: 1518IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 90mgIron: 1mg
Keyword: easy peanut butter pie, old fashioned peanut butter pie, peanut butter pie
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American, Southern
Author: Blair Lonergan
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