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Top with Cool Whip, chocolate drizzle, or chopped candies!

This old fashioned peanut butter pie is a no bake dessert that’s sure to become a family favorite. Put it together in 15 minutes, then freeze!

Deliciously smooth and creamy, this is the perfect make-ahead treat! Simply whip up the filling in less than 10 minutes, pour it into a ready-made crust, and freeze overnight.

To fully make this peanut butter pie from scratch, use the graham cracker crust from my no bake blueberry cheesecake. Be sure to follow the chilling instructions so it’s properly set before adding the filling.

I’ve also got an easy banana pudding recipe that’s ready in a snap. You can prepare it in a large pan, individual glass jars, or a trifle dish for a stunning display.

a slice of peanut butter pie on a plate with a chocolate swirl, garnished with a dollop of Cool Whip and chopped peanut butter cups sitting on a linen napkin with a gold fork.

Key ingredients & substitutions for Old Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie

  • Peanut Butter — I tend to use creamy so the filling is nice and smooth, but you can use crunchy instead if you like the texture. Avoid natural varieties which have a higher oil content and tend to be a bit gritty.
  • Graham cracker crust — What makes this peanut butter pie a no bake recipe is the storebought crust! Feel free to use a homemade one if you prefer, or try an Oreo cookie crust to add a little chocolate flavor to your dessert. Whatever you choose, be sure that it’s deep enough to hold all of the filling.
  • Powdered Sugar — If you don’t have any on hand, you can make your own! Combine 1 cup granulated sugar with 1 tablespoon cornstarch in a high-speed blender. Let it run until the texture is fluffy, about 30 to 45 seconds. Measure out what you need for this recipe, then store the rest in a sealed container.
process steps for making peanut butter pie: prepare the graham cracker crust; whip heavy cream until stiff; combine ingredients; fold in the whipped cream.

How to make peanut butter pie from scratch?

STEP 1 | Prepare the filling

Whip the heavy cream until stiff — when you lift the mixer out of the bowl, it should leave behind a pointed peak. If it droops or curls, continue beating for another minute and check again.

In a separate bowl, cream together the remaining ingredients until smooth. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture with a spatula until there are no more streaks of white.

smoothing peanut butter pie filling into a graham cracker crust with a rubber spatula.

STEP 2 | Add to crust

Pour the filling into the ready-made crust, smoothing it out all the way to the edges. Then, wrap tightly with a layer of plastic wrap and foil.

STEP 3 | Freeze

Pop it in the freezer overnight, and you’re done! Let it warm on the counter for 10-15 minutes before serving so it has time to soften.

tips

  • There’s an easy way to tell when whipped cream is done — detach the whisk attachment (or beaters) and hold it upside down. If the whipped cream stays in place, it’s ready!
  • Before slicing, run your knife under hot water and dry completely. The metal will retain the heat from the water, allowing the knife to glide smoothly through the solid filling.

a slice of peanut butter pie on a plate with a chocolate swirl, garnished with a dollop of Cool Whip and chopped peanut butter cups sitting on a kitchen counter.

Frequently asked questions

Can I store old fashioned peanut butter pie in the freezer?

Yes! It should be good for several weeks, though it’s never lasted that long in our house!

How far in advance can I make this?

Since this keeps well in the freezer, you can put one together whenever you have the time and store until you need it! You will need to prepare the dessert at least the day before so it has time to set up properly.

Can I use Cool Whip instead of heavy cream?

Heavy cream typically doubles in volume, so this recipe uses 2 cups of whipped cream in the filling. Since a small container of Cool Whip contains about 3 cups total, you’ll need to divide it out and save the rest as a topping.

Cool Whip also comes frozen and will need to be thawed in the refrigerator before use. If you’re short on time, you can float it in a bowl of cold water for 30-45 minutes instead.

a bite of peanut butter pie on a gold fork beside a slice on a plate with a chocolate swirl, garnished with a dollop of Cool Whip and chopped peanut butter cups sitting on a linen napkin.

Serving suggestions

The creator of this dessert always served this with a dollop of Cool Whip. I like to top it with crushed Heath bars or Reese’s cups and a drizzle of chocolate syrup. Either way, this recipe is a keeper!

Recipe inspiration

This recipe was shared with me several years ago by my sweet neighbor, Joann. She was always the epitome of the Southern hostess — welcoming and ready to offer her guests a cup of coffee and dessert, which she always just happened to have on hand.

I will always remember the way that Joann and her husband Clint welcomed us to the neighborhood with open arms and immediately endeared themselves to our children. While we haven’t been neighbors for some time now, I’ve kept her old fashioned peanut butter pie recipe and have fond memories whenever I make it.

a slice of peanut butter pie on a plate with a chocolate swirl, garnished with a dollop of Cool Whip and chopped peanut butter cups sitting on a kitchen counter.

Old-Fashioned Peanut Butter Pie

This old fashioned peanut butter pie is a no bake dessert that’s sure to become a family favorite. Put it together in 15 minutes, then freeze!
4.84 from 6 votes
Prep Time 15 minutes
Total Time 15 minutes
Course Pies & Pastries
Cuisine American
Servings 8 servings
Calories 471 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 8 ounces heavy whipping cream
  • 8 ounces cream cheese softened
  • ½ cup peanut butter
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • ¼ cup milk
  • 1 9-inch deep dish graham cracker crust
  • Cool Whip for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Place heavy whipping cream in a small bowl and beat until stiff peaks form. Set aside.
  • Cream together cream cheese, peanut butter, and powdered sugar until smooth. Add milk and mix again until smooth. Fold in the whipped cream.
  • Pour into the graham cracker crust and cover. Freeze overnight.
  • To serve, allow to sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes. Slice and top with Cool Whip.

Notes

  • If desired, drizzle each slice of pie with chocolate sauce and sprinkle with crushed candy bars (Reese’s Cups or Heath Bars).
  • Store leftovers in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition

Serving: 1gCalories: 471kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 8gFat: 35gSaturated Fat: 16gPolyunsaturated Fat: 16gCholesterol: 63mgSodium: 286mgFiber: 1gSugar: 21g

Life Love and Good Food does not claim to be a registered dietician or nutritionist. Nutritional information shared on this site is only an estimate. We recommend running the ingredients through an online nutritional calculator if you need to verify any information.

Keyword peanut butter, pie
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was.
Sheila Thigpen, blogger

About Sheila Thigpen

Recipe Developer, Food Photographer, Food Writer

Sheila Thigpen is the publisher of Life, Love, and Good Food — a Southern food blog — and the author of Easy Chicken Cookbook and The 5-Ingredient Fresh and Easy Cookbook. After 20+ years in the publishing industry, she retired in 2018 to focus on her own creative endeavors full time. She and her husband live near the beautiful Smoky Mountains and have a precious little granddaughter who has stolen their hearts. As an influencer, Sheila has collaborated with brands like Creamette, Kroger, HERSHEY’S, Hamilton Beach, Garafalo Pasta, OXO, Smithfield, Valley Fig Growers, and more.

5 Comments

  1. My son in law is a peanut butter fanatic, and I couldn’t wait to make this for him – it did not disappoint! 😉 He LOVED it!!

  2. Peanut butter has always been a favorite flavor of mine, and this was so easy to make. I served it with more whipped cream rather than cool whip. I’m savoring every piece.

  3. Pingback: Joann's Peanut Butter Pie - Yum Goggle

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