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Peanut Butter Pie With Chocolate Covered Pretzel Crust

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This peanut butter pie has it all; a pretzel crust coated with a layer of chocolate filled with creamy peanut butter goodness. There is no whipped topping in site, but it is still super easy to make!

Slice of no bake peanut butter pie with fluff peanut butter filling, pretzel crust and layer of fudge.

Peanut butter pie has always been a favorite here.  The creamy peanut butter filling draws me in every time. This pie, however turns it up a notch. 

The pretzel crust helps add to that sweet and savory flavor. The chocolate gives it that something extra.

The peanut butter filling is light and creamy without the use of whipped topping, but it is still quick and easy to make.  It checks all of the boxes!

This pie is rich.  And salty. And sweet. And chocolate. And peanut butter. And yum! 

So hurry up and make it!

The first time I made this pie was all the way back in 2015 for our Easter open house.  We were having a large crowd, so I made it in a really large size.  

pretzel crumb pie crust ready for filling.

It would have been plenty to fill two pies, but instead I made it in one large serving dish.  It was such a hit that a couple of the guests requested it again for a shower a few months later.      

So, I knew I had a winner on my hands.  It has been quite some time since I got around to making it again though.     

That’s the way food blogging goes, you are always making new stuff so it is hard to get back to the stuff you’ve already made. Even if it is REALLY good. 

fudge base on pretzel crumb  pie crust.

So when my sister was coming to town a bit before her birthday, we thought we should go ahead and make her a birthday treat.  Last year I made her a layered cookie cake that was a lot of fun, but this year we had a bit too much going on to do something quite like that. 

Luckily she suggested something chocolate and peanut butter-y.  That happens to be a flavor combination we love, so I was happy to oblige.

My first thought was to make her a peanut butter m&m skillet cookie.  Those pictures are in desperate need up updating and it definitely fits the chocolate and peanut butter bill.  

But as I was scrolling through the blog, I saw this pie and I knew that it was the winner! Luckily I had all of the ingredients on hand, so we were good to go!   

The process was easy and the results were worth every step.  First you make the pretzel crust. It is easiest to do in the food processor.       

You could also do them in a bag with a rolling pin if you’d like, whatever is better for you.  You want a relatively fine crumb, but not full powder.       

I like having a few tiny recognizable pieces of pretzel, but you don’t want them too large. Bigger pieces make serving and eating a bit more of a challenge. 

fluffy no bake peanut butter pie filling with no cool whip or whipped topping.

When making the chocolate layer, I immediately knew what recipe to use.  My Aunt Marlene taught me to make this fudge icing when I was just a kid.  It has been a staple ever since!

I just scaled down the recipe a bit.  There is just enough to coat the bottom of your pie crust with a little left over to drizzle on the top.   

The peanut butter filling is a lot like you would expect. However, you drizzle in some heavy whipping cream to get it light and fluffy rather than folding in whipped topping.      

The results are light and fluffy and sweet enough but not too sweet. It’s a cloud of peanut butter goodness.   Oh. Em. Geeeeeee!

fluffy peanut butter pie with pretzel crust, fudge drizzle and chopped peanuts on top.

You will want to chill the pie for a couple of hours.  That gives the filling plenty of chance to set up and makes it a lot easier to slice.      

Of course it will be tempting to eat the filling right out of the bowl after you make it.  In fact, I wouldn’t blame you at all if you did. 

But you will definitely have prettier results if you give it a nice long chill first.  It’ll be an exercise in self restraint! 

Just watch everyone’s eyes light up as you start serving pieces of this pretty pie! 

first bite of no bake peanut butter pie on fork and ready to eat.

Ps.  If you love peanut butter pie and want to try something really different, I have a vintage recipe for baked peanut butter pie

The final texture is nothing like this fluffy cloud, but it is a really fun change.  You should check that one out too! 

Or try no bake peanut butter pie with an Oreo crust. It is another fun way to enjoy our favorite peanutty spread.

first bite of no bake peanut butter pie on fork and ready to eat.

Peanut Butter Pie With Chocolate Covered Pretzel Crust

Carlee
This peanut butter pie has it all; a pretzel crust coated with a layer of chocolate filled with creamy peanut butter goodness. There is no whipped topping in site, but it is still super easy to make!
4.78 from 18 ratings
Prep Time 25 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Additional Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 35 minutes
Course Pie
Cuisine American
Servings 12 Servings
Calories 456 kcal

Ingredients
 

Pretzel Crust

  • cups crushed pretzels
  • 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 6 Tablespoons butter

Fudge

  • 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons milk
  • ¼ cup butter

Peanut Butter Filling

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 8 oz cream cheese
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions
 

Crust

  • Preheat oven to 350°F
  • Melt butter, and toss pretzels in butter and sugar. Press onto the bottom of a 9 inch pie pan.
    1½ cups crushed pretzels, 3 Tablespoons granulated sugar, 6 Tablespoons butter
  • Bake for 8-10 minutes, then remove and set aside to cool.

Fudge

  • Meanwhile, start the fudge. In a saucepan, stir together sugar and cocoa powder to make sure there are no lumps.
    1/2 cup granulated sugar, 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
  • Add the milk and butter. Heat over medium-low heat until it begins to boil. Boil for three minutes stirring frequently. (Be sure to scrape sides and bottom as you are stirring to make sure nothing sticks and burns.)
    2 Tablespoons milk, 1/4 cup butter
  • Let fudge cool slightly then drizzle all but a couple of Tablespoons onto the crust.

Peanut Butter Filling

  • For the filling, place peanut butter and cream cheese in your mixer bowl. Beat until well combined and creamy.
    1 cup creamy peanut butter, 8 oz cream cheese
  • Add vanilla and powdered sugar, mixing until combined.
    2 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup powdered sugar
  • Slowly drizzle in the cold cream, beating as you add it. Whip until light and fluffy.
    1 cup heavy whipping cream
  • Drizzle with additional fudge and garnish with a few chopped nuts or pretzels if desired. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

Nutrition

Serving: 1ServingCalories: 456kcalCarbohydrates: 33gProtein: 7gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 17gPolyunsaturated Fat: 14gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 67mgSodium: 322mgFiber: 2gSugar: 23g
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Recipe Rating




Big Rigs 'n Lil' Cookies

Sunday 9th of June 2019

Every part of this sounds wonderful! Might be the perfect Father's Day treat!

Amy

Thursday 6th of June 2019

We love peanut butter desserts here and this one looks like a keeper. Thank you for sharing.

Carlee

Saturday 8th of June 2019

Peanut butter and chocolate is pretty much always a winner here too!

Andrea Nine

Friday 31st of May 2019

This pie has it all, another winner here in our house for sure!

Carlee

Saturday 8th of June 2019

It is sooooo good, Andrea!

joannabri

Saturday 27th of June 2015

This looks so sinful, and I'll take a huge slice, thank you! :-) I will have to add this to my recipes to make pile because this looks too yummy not to make. I love the peanut butter and chocolate combo, and to throw salty in with the pretzels, pure genius! Joanna www.everydaymadefresh.com

Carlee

Saturday 27th of June 2015

I hope you love it! Salty and sweet is my favorite combo... except for maybe peanut butter and chocolate!

Kara

Friday 1st of May 2015

Oh gosh, this looks delicious!! Love the idea of the pretzel crust to balance out the sweet. Yum!

Carlee

Friday 1st of May 2015

Thanks! We like sweet and salty together, so we really enjoyed this combination.