Peanut butter pie is rich and decadent, combining creamy peanut butter and sweet chocolate in each bite. This over the top dessert features a peanut butter Oreo cookie crust, peanut butter filling, Reese’s Pieces, and homemade chocolate ganache. It’s unbelievable!
There’s no flavor duo quite like peanut butter + chocolate. We’ve made chocolate peanut butter cheesecake bars, no-bake peanut butter bars, chocolate peanut butter snack bars, and peanut butter ice cream pie to name a few. My chocolate chip cookie layer cake is even filled with a chocolate peanut butter frosting! Today, we’re adding another recipe to the chocolate peanut butter mix: truly unbelievable peanut butter pie.
There’s a lot to cover, so let’s dive right in.
This Is Unbelievable Peanut Butter Pie
The layers! The textures! This might just be the richest dessert I’ve ever made, right alongside chocolate peanut butter cake. Today’s recipe is a new twist on classic peanut butter pie with a crunchy peanut butter Oreo cookie crust, colorful Reese’s Pieces candies, creamy peanut butter filling, and smooth chocolate ganache. It’s a peanut butter lover’s dream come true.
Here’s why you’ll love it:
- Totally indulgent
- Quick and easy to prepare
- Made with only 10 ingredients
- Tons of texture in each bite
- Perfect for birthdays and celebrations
- A great make-ahead recipe
4 Parts to Peanut Butter Pie
- Peanut Butter Oreo Crust
- Peanut Butter Filling
- Chocolate Ganache
- Reese’s Pieces
Though the written recipe is below, let me walk you through each part so you understand exactly what you’re doing.
Peanut Butter Oreo Crust
It wouldn’t be peanut butter pie without an Oreo crust, but let’s use peanut butter Oreos! Regular Oreos work just as well, but peanut butter Oreos add another layer of peanut butter flavor. We’re using the same recipe and technique found over on my Oreo Crust Recipe page. Pulse the Oreos (the whole Oreo including the chocolate cookies and the filling) into a fine crumb, then combine the Oreo crumbs with a little melted butter. Just 2 ingredients and so easy.
Press the mixture firmly into a pie dish and bake the crust. I recommend beginning with this step so the crust has time to cool down before assembling. This is the only layer that requires baking—the rest of the recipe is completely no-bake! I love making this pie in the warmer summer months when our kitchen welcomes a break from the hot oven.
You could use a regular Oreo cookie crust or even a Biscoff pie crust instead if you’d like.
Peanut Butter Pie Filling
This peanut butter filling is about as decadently rich as we can get. It’s made with just 5 ingredients including heavy cream, peanut butter, cream cheese, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract. You can’t really taste the cream cheese; rather, you truly just taste peanut butter. We use the exact filling as a layer in peanut butter banana cream pie also. It has as much peanut butter flavor as these peanut butter balls and these super soft peanut butter cookies.
You’ll begin by whipping the heavy cream into whipped cream. In a separate bowl, mix the other 4 ingredients together, then gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture. The result is a creamy, airy peanut butter filling.
Chocolate Ganache Topping
You only need 2 ingredients for the chocolate ganache topping: chocolate and heavy cream. You’ll simply pour warm cream over chocolate and stir. Use a quality chocolate because it’s where all of the flavor comes from. I would avoid using chocolate chips, which contain a stabilizer—use the real deal. Pure chocolate never lets you down. Never! See my chocolate ganache page if you need extra help with it.
You’ll want to make the ganache before the peanut butter layer because it must fully cool down prior to pouring over the peanut butter filling. This time also allows the ganache to thicken, creating a fudge-like consistency when the pie is ready to serve.
Crushed Reese’s Pieces
You’ll find crushed Reese’s Pieces in two places—on top of the Oreo crust and sprinkled on top of the chocolate ganache. They add a little crunch, a little color, and that little something extra! Instead of Reese’s Pieces, try crushed M&Ms, or skip them altogether.
Like peanut butter cup tart, the only baking we’ll do is for the crust. Other than that, the refrigerator does all the work. The pie must set up in the refrigerator for 5–6 hours. Overnight would be wonderful, but I’ve made this peanut butter pie twice with just 5 hours of chill time. Peanut butter perfection each time. This dessert is always fun for birthdays, but I’ve served it along side Father’s Day recipes, Mother’s Day recipes, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, a random Sunday (why not?), you name it. It’s always devoured!
Quick Peanut Butter Pie Video
PrintUnbelievable Peanut Butter Pie
- Prep Time: 1 hour
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 7 hours
- Yield: 1 9-inch pie
- Category: Pie
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Description
The most unbelievable peanut butter pie! Complete with an Oreo cookie crust, Reese’s Pieces, and chocolate ganache, this recipe is over the top in the best way.
Ingredients
Oreo Crust
- 22 regular or peanut butter flavor Oreo cookies
- 5 Tablespoons (71g) unsalted butter, melted
Ganache
- 3/4 cup (180g) heavy cream
- 6 ounces (170g) semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
Peanut Butter Filling
- 3/4 cup (180ml) heavy cream
- 8 ounces (226g) full-fat brick cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 and 1/2 cups (310g) creamy peanut butter
- 3/4 cup (90g) confectioners’ sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup (200g) Reese’s Pieces, crushed
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (177°C).
- Bake the crust: In a food processor or blender, pulse 22 Oreos (including the cream filling) into a fine crumb. You should have about 2 cups (packed) crumbs, or 250g. Pour crumbs into a large bowl. Add the melted butter and stir to combine. The mixture will be thick and quite wet. Try to smash/break up any large chunks. Pour the mixture into an un-greased 9-inch pie dish. With medium pressure using your hand, pat the crumbs down into the bottom and up the sides to make a compact, thick crust. See Oreo crust page for more success tips if needed. Bake for 10 minutes. Allow to cool as you prepare the filling.
- Make the ganache: Place chopped chocolate in a medium bowl. Heat the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Once it begins to boil, immediately remove from heat then pour over the chocolate. Stir gently until the ganache is smooth. Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature. During this time, it will slowly thicken as well.
- Make the filling: Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the heavy cream on medium-high speed until stiff peaks form, about 5 minutes. Spoon the whipped cream into a bowl and set aside. Using the same mixing bowl (no need to rinse clean!), beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, and vanilla extract together on medium-high speed until combined. Mixture will be thick. Fold in the whipped cream until smooth. be gentle, you don’t want to deflate that cream.
- Sprinkle half of the Reese’s Pieces on top of the cooled crust. Spread peanut butter filling evenly on top, then spread ganache on top of filling. Sprinkle the rest of the Reese’s Pieces on top.
- Chill the pie in the refrigerator for 5-6 hours or even overnight. Slice and serve cold.
Notes
- Make Ahead & Freezing Instructions: You can get started on the crust in step 2 and the ganache in step 3. You can keep both in the refrigerator overnight if you’re getting started the day before. Cover both tightly. This pie can be frozen up to 3 months. It’s tasty frozen or you can let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving.
- Special Tools (affiliate links): Food Processor | Glass Mixing Bowls | 9-inch Pie Dish | Small Saucepan | Electric Mixer (Handheld or Stand) | Rubber Spatula
- Peanut Butter: Use a conventional (processed) smooth peanut butter like Jif creamy or Skippy creamy. I do not suggest using natural style or oily peanut butter; both cause the filling to separate and/or turn greasy.
!!! Ahh!!! I over baked the crust. I haven’t had a slice yet. It still has to cool over night. And my crust on the bottom was still on the hot side but the top of the crust seemed cool to the touch . Otherwise everything came together well. I was terrified of over folding the filling but I think I did it well. We will see tomorrow
Hello,
Do you think mascarpone would work instead of cream cheese in this recipe?
Thanks.
Hi Jennifer, we haven’t tested the recipe with mascarpone, but I’m guessing that it would be a lot softer and not set up as well. The block-style cream cheese is firmer and is what gives this pie its structure. If you try it, let us know how it turns out.
I messed up!!! UGH! I beat the whipped cream in with the filling and didn’t fold it in! 🙁 I have it in the fridge now and going to see how it turns out. I’m bummed.
How did it turn out? I just did the same thing.
could I use reese’s min PB cups instead of reese’s pieces?
Absolutely!
I’ve made this a couple of times, it is truly decadent, a peanut butter and chocolate lover’s dream! The recipe should specify to press the cookie crumb up the sides of the pie dish. The first time I made this I saw the pictures show the crust up to the top, the second time I didn’t notice and forgot to so the bottom was overly thick.
Made this for a recent birthday party abd it was goggked up almost as soon as the dessert table was set up
A real hit!
Used Double Stuff Oreos and topped the pie with both crushed Reeces Piwces and chopped mini Reeves PB Cups. Definitely a keeper!
My Son-in-law said this was the best pie in the world…ever! Thanks Sally for making me look good!
This was so delicious! It was hard to stop ourselves from getting another slice! Super easy to make and very quick to put together!
Hi Sally, one more quick question…when making the crust do I spread the crumb crust all the way up the sides of the pie pan, or halfway, or just a third?! Not sure how high up the pan to spread this crust.
Thank you once again,
Brenda
Hi Brenda, you’ll want to spread it all the way up the pan. If it’s not quite all the way that is okay, as the pie filling firms up nicely and will still cut clean slices. Enjoy!
Hi Sally, I am unable to find peanut butter oreos where we live as we live in a small town. Need to make this recipe asap (it looks and sounds fantastic ). Any ideas what to use in lieu of that for the crust. Thank you
Brenda
Hi Brenda! Regular Oreos would work great! Or you could always do a graham cracker crust instead.
Can I use crunchy peanut butter as that is what I have or will I have to alter the ingredients?
Hi Aj, the filling might be a bit too thick or even dry/crumbly if using chunky peanut butter. For best results, we recommend sticking with smooth peanut butter here.
Could I substitute full fat coconut milk instead of the heavy cream?
Hi Allison, Full-fat coconut milk (the canned kind) should be ok! The taste of the finished pie will be a bit different, though.
I made this exactly according to the recipe, and it was delicious; a definite hit! I’m curious to know how you chopped the Reese’s pieces. I used the food processor and then my marble rolling pin, but got a lot of powder and some big chunks…….. not the nice small chunks that your photos show.
My husband’s favorite pie!! He is a peanut butter nut so this worked perfect for him and my family. Didn’t use Reese’s pieces just chopped peanuts, also put some of the ganache on crust before I poured in the filling. Just chill 10 min then your filling. Pies rating makes a 10 star with that addition.
Made this with Double Stuff Oreos which I grabbed by mistake – wouldn’t recommend. There was so much fat in the crust that it slid down the sides of the pie plate in the oven and had puddles of butter sitting in the bottom. I blotted up the puddles and used a rubber spatula to coax the crust back up the sides as it cooled until it finally stayed in place.
Hello. Was wondering if you thought I could make these in mini tart rings. Would the crust be able to be free standing? Thanks for all your wonderful recipes!
Hi Peggy, this is a pretty sturdy crust so it likely won’t be an issue. However, I’m not entirely certain as it hasn’t been tested. Let us know if you try it!
A family favorite! Makes two smaller pies in a store Oreo crust. All I had to add was some extra Reese’s pieces.
This is my husband’s favorite dessert and we make it every year for his birthday! I’m considering trying to make it in in small individual tart pans, to make it easier for self-serving at a birthday party. Have you tried this and do you know how many mini tarts it may make?
Thanks so much!
Hi Becky, We are so happy he loves this so much! You can definitely make it in mini tart pans. Sizes of mini pans vary greatly, so how many you get will depend on your exact pans.
Thanks!! I may actually try it in a 9×9 pan and cut it into bars instead. Hoping that will be an easy way to create small individual servings!
Hi Sally. I made this recently and it was delicious! The only problem I had was that despite me greasing the pan (I used cooking spray), the Oreo crust stuck to the pan very badly making it impossible to cut and remove nice clean slices.
Do you have any tips for how I can avoid this sticking issue in the future? I would really appreciate it. Thank you very much!
Hi Jessica! The pie is sticking because the melted butter can solidify in the fridge and adhere to the pan. Letting the pie sit at room temp for a few minutes before serving can help. Or try to warm the bottom of the pan with some warm water (or even your hands) – this should help melt the butter and release the slices. So glad you loved it!
Thank you very much for the advice on how to prevent sticking Trina! 🙂
Hi Sally~
I have been digging deep for a peanut butter pie for my Dad’s birthday. I am traveling so I wondered if you have a recipe for an unbelievable peanut butter cake/pie that is portable? Or how can I make this one portable for a 2 hour drive?
So excited to try this!
Thank you!
Hi Lynn, if this pie has been fully chilled, it should hold up just fine in a 2-hour car ride. For extra assurance, you could always transport it in a cooler, too.
Thank you for the recipe! I am making for the 4th of July holiday. I can’t use Reese’s pieces as they are not vegetarian; wondering if I should top with crushed peanuts or just skip all-together. Thoughts?
Hi Amy, crushed peanuts would be a delicious substitution, or you can simply omit them all together. Enjoy!
I made this today for my husband’s birthday. I loved how easy it was and the no-bake option. It’s chilling in the fridge and we all cannot wait to have some tonight. I know it’s good because I tasted the layers while making it. 🙂 Thanks for another yummy recipe!
“Unbelievable” is the exact word to describe this pie. I cannot express in words how amazing this pie is in every aspect; taste, texture, density, range and joy in preparing. This pie simply tastes incredible. It is the best pie I have ever tasted (I’m not a young person). You almost need a chainsaw to cut into it. I personally liked to take small slivers of a bite and let it melt in my mouth. I did use chunky peanut butter because I like chunky peanut butter. I also used a lot of Reece’s Pieces because the smallest bag I could get had more than the recipe called for so I decided to use them. I covered this pie; both directly on the crust and on the top with broken bits of Reece’s Pieces and it was wonderfully (I REALLY like peanut butter). This pie was so much fun to make as well. I never made my own pie crust, I never made whipped cream, I never “folded” whip cream (thanks YouTube) and I broke up Reece’s Pieces (next time I’ll probably use a bread pan with its flat bottom and deep sides). I’ll be making this again. When I first found this recipe 2 weeks ago, it had a 5-star rating. Now it has a 4.8 rating. I don’t know what’s up with that. I am both elated and saddened by this pie; elated in the fact that I have tasted the best pie EVER in my life, saddened in the fact of the knowledge that I will never find another pie that will taste better.
My son and I made this for Pi day. I loved how easy it was to make, and it was really delicious. We used a pre-made crust to make it even easier.
I made this exactly as written and it was absolutely perfect! Everybody loved it! Cut it into 12 pieces as it’s rich enough, a huge piece is not necessary (although I, myself, would not be opposed to a larger slice ). Thank you Sally for yet another delicious, perfect recipe!
I made this without the candy pieces and it is delicious!
Just made this for my husband’s birthday.
It was a hit! The only change I made was using a 9.5 inch pie plate, it was deeper than my 9 inch pie plate and it was filled perfectly to the top. Delish!
Thank you for sharing this recipe! I’ve been eyeing peanut butter pies over the past couple of weeks and decided to make one myself. I followed your recipe with two exceptions- I didn’t add the Reese’s Pieces and I used a bittersweet chocolate for the ganache, and it didn’t disappoint! The pie is very rich and has delicious peanut butter flavor. I think I’ll make a batch of fresh whipped cream to add on top tonight!
Hi Sally! I’m making this on Friday for my husband’s birthday. I don’t have a pie dish, though. Could I just use a cake pan? If so, would you recommend an 8 or 9 inch cake pan? Thanks!
Hi Sera, You can make this in any 9 inch pan. We hope he has a happy birthday!
Made this twice. Second time with about 3/4 the amount of PB (because quarantine), and it was great. The full amount of PB makes a very rich pie even for someone like me with a giant sweet tooth, so I think I may continue to use a lesser amount in the future. Wonderful recipe – thank you!