Indulge in the perfect marriage of chocolate and peanut butter with this luxurious Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie. With a crunchy Oreo crust, velvety chocolate pudding, and creamy peanut butter mousse, every bite is a symphony of textures and flavors. Topped with chopped peanut butter cups, this dessert is a guaranteed crowd-pleaser that’s surprisingly simple to make.
Ingredients:
Oreo Crust:
- 20 Oreo sandwich cookies, finely ground (regular or gluten-free)
- 1/4 cup (55g) unsalted butter, melted
Chocolate Pudding Layer:
- 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
- 2 tbsp cornstarch
- 2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp instant espresso powder (optional)
- 1/4 tsp kosher salt
- 1 cup (240g) whole milk
- 2 large egg yolks
- 3.5 oz dark chocolate, chopped (use milk chocolate for a sweeter flavor)
- 1 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Peanut Butter Mousse:
- 4 oz cream cheese, room temperature
- 2 cups (480g) heavy whipping cream
- 1/4 cup (45g) powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup (250g) creamy peanut butter
Topping:
- Chopped peanut butter cups (gluten-free if needed)
Instructions:
1. Make the Oreo Crust:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- In a bowl, combine crushed Oreo cookies with melted butter, stirring until the mixture is uniform.
- Press the mixture into the base and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish, using a glass or your hands to press it down firmly.
- Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, then allow the crust to cool completely before using.
2. Prepare the Chocolate Pudding Layer:
- In a medium saucepan, whisk together the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa powder, espresso powder (if using), and salt. Gradually whisk in the milk until smooth.
- Heat the mixture over medium heat, stirring constantly until it thickens and begins to simmer.
- In a separate bowl, beat the egg yolks. Slowly pour about 1/4 cup of the hot mixture into the yolks while whisking to gently warm them. Then, add this egg mixture back into the saucepan.
- Continue cooking for 1–2 minutes, stirring until the pudding becomes thick and glossy. Remove from the heat.
- Stir in chopped chocolate, butter, and vanilla extract until fully combined and smooth.
- Pour the pudding into the chilled Oreo crust and smooth it out evenly.
- Refrigerate until set, about 1–2 hours.
3. Make the Peanut Butter Mousse:
- In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
- Add the heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. Beat until soft peaks form.
- Fold in the creamy peanut butter until the mixture is smooth and fluffy.
4. Assemble the Pie:
- Once the pudding layer is set, spread the peanut butter mousse over the top, smoothing it out with a spatula.
5. Add the Toppings:
- Sprinkle chopped peanut butter cups generously over the mousse layer for a finishing touch.
6. Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate the pie for at least 2–3 hours to allow all layers to firm up.
- Slice and serve this rich, irresistible dessert chilled.
Conclusion:
This Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie is a decadent dessert that effortlessly combines the richness of chocolate, the creaminess of peanut butter, and the crunch of an Oreo crust. With its beautiful layers and irresistible toppings, it’s the perfect showstopper for any special occasion—or simply to treat yourself!