Last Friday the blogging community measured, mixed, and assembled peanut butter pie to celebrate the life of Jennifer Perillo’s husband, Mike. In her post, For Mikey, Jennie wrote about saying that she’d make her husband’s favorite peanut butter cream pie tomorrow. It was always on her to-do list until there were no tomorrows left.
Jennie’s post touched me. It reminded me that life is short and the importance of living in the moment.
Even though we missed Friday’s pie making because we were coming home from Sea Ranch, it was still something I wanted to do. We love to cook together. We love chocolate and peanut butter.
Wednesday morning we woke up and we made peanut butter pie. It didn’t matter that we hadn’t had breakfast. It didn’t matter that Captain Computer was still asleep and adjusting to time zones. Little Miss Techie was awake and she got started putting half of the Oreos in the Cuisinart, melting the butter, and measuring the peanut butter.
A little while later her brother stumbled into the kitchen. Hearing the sound of the mixer, he had to know what we were doing. He took her place on the stool and helped me finish our Creamy Peanut Butter Pie.
Even the dog helped with the cleanup making it a true family affair!
Later that evening when my husband came home, he opened the refrigerator and was delighted to see that we had made pie for dessert. “I was thinking about it on the way home,” he confessed.
After dinner we enjoyed our peanut butter pie. The kids told daddy how they made it between bites and we celebrated doing it together. We honored Jennie’s request to make peanut butter pie and to share it with loved ones.
This weekend make a peanut butter pie and share it with someone you love. Or do something you’ve been meaning to do that you’ve been putting off. Because as Jennie wrote, “…today is the only guarantee we can count on.”
Serves 10 to 12
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces chocolate cookies
- 4 tablespoons butter, melted
- 4 ounces finely chopped chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 ounces cream cheese
- 1 cup creamy-style peanut butter
- 1 cup confectioner’s sugar
- 1 – 14 ounce can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
Add the cookies to the bowl of a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. Combine melted butter and cookie crumbs in a small bowl, and stir with a fork to mix well. Press mixture into the bottom and 1-inch up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave. Pour over bottom of cookie crust and spread to the edges using an off-set spatula. Sprinkle chopped peanuts over the melted chocolate. Place pan in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
Pour the heavy cream into a bowl and beat using a stand mixer or hand mixer until stiff peaks form. Transfer to a small bowl and store in refrigerator until ready to use. Place the cream cheese and peanut butter in a deep bowl. Beat on medium speed until light and fluffy. Reduce speed to low and gradually beat in the confectioner’s sugar. Add the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla extract and lemon juice. Increase speed to medium and beat until all the ingredients are combined and filling is smooth.
Stir in 1/3 of the whipped cream into the filling mixture (helps lighten the batter, making it easier to fold in the remaining whipped cream). Fold in the remaining whipped cream. Pour the filling into the prepared springform pan. Drizzle the melted chocolate on top, if using, and refrigerate for three hours or overnight before serving.
The Food Network has compiled a collection of peanut butter pie recipes from around the blogosphere on their site in honor of Jennie’s husband. There are a variety of different versions to satisfy every palate and diet including peanut-free, gluten free, dairy free, peanut butter and banana with Nutella, and even a pudding one!
When you make your peanut butter pie, Tweet your post using #pieformikey
Thanks for reading Tech Savvy Mama through your feed!
Original post by Tech Savvy Mama
©2012
This sounds delish! I’ve been mixing chocolate with peanut butter for a snack, and the idea of this pie is a great idea!!! A sure hit! I’d like to make this.