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This smooth Amish peanut butter cream pie hits just the right mix of hearty peanut butter and silky texture that's become a must-have at my family get-togethers. The ultra-creamy filling tucked into a crisp crust makes an amazing dessert that vanishes fast whenever I bring it out.
I stumbled across this pie during a trip to Amish country in Pennsylvania and have tweaked it over time. Now my kids ask for it instead of cake every time a birthday rolls around.
Ingredients
- Ready-made 9 inch pie crust: saves time but still gives you that homemade taste if you want
- Smooth peanut butter: delivers the main flavor go for natural kinds for better taste
- Confectioners' sugar: cuts through the nutty peanut butter with just enough sweetness
- Whipping cream: beaten until firm creates the light texture that makes this pie so special
- Pure vanilla: brings extra flavor don't use the fake stuff for best results
- Cream cheese: adds firmness and a tangy kick against the sweetness
- Milk: thins the mixture to the right spreading texture
- Whipped topping: finishes the pie with prettiness and extra creaminess
- Crushed peanuts: add crunch and make the pie look nicer
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Mix The Peanut Base:
- Stir the peanut butter and confectioners' sugar together in a bowl until you get crumbly bits. This builds the pie's main flavor and the sugar helps lighten the thick peanut butter.
- Beat The Cream:
- In another bowl whip up the heavy cream with vanilla until it forms tall peaks. Don't go too far or you'll end up with butter. The cream should stand up when you pull out the beaters.
- Fix The Cream Cheese:
- In a third bowl beat the soft cream cheese until it's completely smooth. Slowly pour in milk while beating until everything looks silky and blended. Always use room temp cream cheese to avoid lumps.
- Put Everything Together:
- Carefully fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mix with a spatula using gentle moves to keep it fluffy. Then fold in the peanut butter mixture just until it looks swirled. Too much mixing will flatten your filling.
- Set It Up:
- Scoop all that filling into your ready pie crust and smooth the top. Cover it loosely with plastic and stick it in the fridge for at least 4 hours or better yet overnight so it firms up right and the flavors blend together.
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What makes this pie so fluffy is properly whipped cream. I once sped through this part and ended up with a heavy filling that missed the cloud-like feel that makes everyone love this dessert. My grandma taught me to listen for the sound change as the cream thickens a trick I still count on today.
Storage Tips
Your Amish peanut butter cream pie will stay good in the fridge for about 4 days. Keep it in something airtight or wrap it well with plastic to stop it from picking up fridge smells. The filling might get a bit softer after day one but the taste actually gets better as it sits making this great to make before you need it.
Flavor Variations
While old-school Amish folks stick to plain peanut butter I sometimes toss in 1/4 cup of melted chocolate chips for chocolate peanut butter lovers. For more interesting flavors try using honey roasted peanut butter or add a pinch of cinnamon to the mix. In summer I often put sliced bananas on the crust first then pour in the filling for a tasty banana peanut butter combo.
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Serving Suggestions
Serve this pie nice and cold with extra whipped cream swirled around the edges and plenty of chopped peanuts on top. For fancy times drizzle some caramel or melted chocolate over each slice right before you serve it. This pie goes great with strong coffee or cold milk to balance out how rich it is. For a fancy touch warm the plates slightly before adding the cold pie to bring out more smell.
Historical Context
Amish desserts usually focus on basic good ingredients they grow on their farms. This no-cook peanut butter pie got popular in Amish communities as a summer treat when nobody wanted to heat up the kitchen. Adding cream cheese is a newer twist on old Amish recipes that first just used fresh cream from their cows. The Amish like practical foods that feed big families and gatherings so this big pie fits perfectly with how they share meals and celebrate together.
Frequently Asked Questions
- → Can I buy a pre-made crust?
Absolutely, a ready-made crust saves time and works great as a base for this dessert.
- → Can I swap creamy peanut butter for crunchy?
You can use crunchy, but creamy peanut butter gives a smoother texture for this pie's filling.
- → How much time does the pie need to chill?
You'll need at least 4 hours of refrigeration to let the filling set up completely before serving.
- → What can I add to top the pie?
Whipped cream and peanuts are classics, but chocolate curls or caramel can make it even richer.
- → How do I store leftover slices?
Keep any extras in the fridge. Wrap the pie securely or use an airtight container and enjoy within three days.