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Mikey’s Peanut Butter Pie

A Sweet Embrace: Honoring a Legacy with the Ultimate No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

Delicious Peanut Butter Pie served on a white dish, with a slice removed revealing creamy filling and chocolate crust.

Life has a way of presenting us with emotions so profound, they often transcend the confines of language, leaving us in a state of eloquent speechlessness. Today, I want to share two such powerful sentiments with you: the overwhelming sorrow of an unexpected loss, and the boundless, comforting embrace of love that emerges in its wake.

The first of these is the heartbreaking loss of life, a void left by the sudden passing of my dear friend Jennifer Perillo’s beloved husband, Mikey, who suffered a sudden heart attack. His passing sent shockwaves through our community, a stark reminder of life’s fragility and unpredictability. It’s in moments like these that words feel utterly inadequate, yet the human spirit yearns to express solidarity and support.

The second emotion, the sheer abundance of love, kindness, and unwavering support that poured forth, is a testament to the beautiful connections we forge. This incredible wave of compassion was perhaps best captured and conveyed by our wonderful friends, Diane and Todd, whose actions and words spoke volumes during a time of profound need.

xoxo Jaden

In the wake of such a tragedy, the global food blogging community rallied together, demonstrating an incredible spirit of generosity and camaraderie. My good friends, Maggy and Erika, spearheaded an initiative that beautifully channeled this collective desire to help. They founded “Bloggers Without Borders,” a nonprofit organization specifically designed to unite our community in assisting those facing unexpected and challenging situations, much like Jennifer’s. Their first major undertaking was an online auction, meticulously organized and brimming with wonderful prizes, all to raise funds for Jennie and her family. We extend a heartfelt invitation to you to consider donating a prize to this noble cause. Your contribution, no matter how big or small, can make a significant difference in offering practical support and comfort. You can reach out to Maggy and Erika directly to learn more about how you can contribute.

A Culinary Tribute: The Beloved Peanut Butter Pie for Mikey

This exquisite Peanut Butter Pie became a culinary symbol, a heartfelt gesture made for Mikey, to honor his memory and offer solace to Jennifer. When Adam and Joanne heard the devastating news and watched the moving video tribute, they felt compelled to join the outpouring of support in the most meaningful way they knew how – by baking this comforting pie, a recipe cherished by Jennifer herself. This pie transcends mere dessert; it represents a shared embrace, a testament to how food can bridge the gap where words fall short, offering comfort, remembrance, and a tangible expression of love.

Close-up of chocolate cookie crumbs being mixed with melted butter in a bowl.

Crafting the Perfect No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie

This No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie is a masterpiece of textures and flavors – a crisp chocolate crust, a layer of melted chocolate and crunchy peanuts, and a luxuriously creamy, airy peanut butter filling. It’s a dessert that promises to delight with every spoonful and is surprisingly simple to assemble, making it perfect for any occasion, whether a special gathering or a quiet moment of indulgence.

Ingredients: Elevating Simple Flavors

Gathering the right ingredients is the first step to a truly memorable pie. For optimal results, ensure your cream cheese and peanut butter are at room temperature, allowing them to blend seamlessly into a silky-smooth filling. The quality of your ingredients, though few, will shine through in the final taste.

  • For the Crust:
  • 8 ounces chocolate cookies (such as Oreo cookies, with or without cream filling)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
  • 4 ounces finely chopped chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1/4 cup chopped peanuts (optional, for added crunch)
  • For the Creamy Filling:
  • 1 cup heavy cream, chilled
  • 8 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
  • 1 cup creamy-style peanut butter, softened to room temperature (Jennifer’s recipe suggests creamy, but chunky can be used for added texture)
  • 1 cup confectioner’s sugar (powdered sugar)
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon freshly squeezed lemon juice

Instructions: A Step-by-Step Guide to Perfection

Part 1: The Irresistible Chocolate-Peanut Crust

Chocolate cookie crumbs are poured into a pie dish, ready to be pressed into the crust.

  1. Prepare the Cookie Crumbs: Begin by adding your chocolate cookies to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse the cookies until they form fine, even crumbs. The finer the crumbs, the more uniform and stable your crust will be. If you don’t have a food processor, place cookies in a large Ziploc bag and crush them with a rolling pin until finely ground.
  2. Combine with Melted Butter: Transfer the cookie crumbs to a medium-sized bowl. Pour in the melted butter and use a spoon or your hands to combine thoroughly. Ensure every crumb is moistened, creating a mixture that resembles wet sand. This even coating is crucial for a firm crust.
  3. Form the Pie Crust: Pour the crumb mixture into a standard 9-inch pie dish or, for a more elegant presentation and easier slicing, a 9-inch springform pan. Press the crumbs firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan and about 1 inch up the sides. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or your knuckles to compact the crumbs, creating a solid base. The firmer you press, the less likely your crust is to crumble when sliced.

    4. Melted chocolate is poured over the cookie crust, forming an even layer.

  4. Melt and Layer the Chocolate: Place the finely chopped chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Reserve about 1 tablespoon of the chocolate. Microwave the rest for 20-second intervals, stirring well after each, until mostly melted and smooth. The reserved chocolate, when stirred in at the end, helps to temper the chocolate slightly, resulting in a smoother, glossier finish. Pour this luscious melted chocolate over the prepared cookie crust and use an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it into an even layer, completely covering the bottom.

    5. Coarsely chopped peanuts are shown in a bowl, ready for topping the pie.

    Chopped peanuts are sprinkled evenly over the melted chocolate layer in the pie crust.

  5. Add Peanuts and Chill: Coarsely chop about 1/4 cup of peanuts. Sprinkle these chopped peanuts evenly over the melted chocolate layer. The peanuts add a delightful crunch and intensify the flavor profile of the pie. Place the entire pan into the refrigerator to chill while you prepare the filling. This step allows the chocolate to set and ensures the crust is firm.

Part 2: The Velvety Smooth Peanut Butter Filling

Heavy cream is being whipped in a large bowl, forming soft peaks.

  1. Whip the Heavy Cream: In a large, chilled mixing bowl, pour the cold heavy cream. Using a hand mixer or a stand mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, whip the cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip, as it can turn grainy. Soft peaks hold their shape but are still light and airy. Reserve this whipped cream in the refrigerator until needed. Keeping the bowl and beaters cold helps the cream whip faster and achieve better volume.

    2. A cup of creamy peanut butter sits at room temperature, ready for the pie filling.

    Softened cream cheese is added to a bowl with room temperature peanut butter.

  2. Combine Peanut Butter and Cream Cheese: In another large mixing bowl, combine the room-temperature cream cheese and creamy-style peanut butter. Using a hand mixer or stand mixer, beat on medium speed until the mixture is completely smooth and well combined, with no lumps of cream cheese remaining. This step is crucial for the silky texture of the filling.

    3. Peanut butter and cream cheese are being blended with a hand mixer in a bowl.

  3. Add Sweetened Condensed Milk: Pour in the entire 14-ounce can of sweetened condensed milk. Continue to beat with your mixer on medium speed until thoroughly incorporated and the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. The condensed milk adds sweetness and a wonderful creamy consistency.

    4. Sweetened condensed milk is poured into the peanut butter and cream cheese mixture.

  4. Incorporate Confectioner’s Sugar: Slowly add the confectioner’s sugar to the mixture, starting on a low speed to prevent a cloud of sugar from forming. Once partially incorporated, increase the speed to medium and beat until the sugar is fully blended and the filling is smooth. You may need to scrape down the sides of the bowl to ensure everything is mixed evenly.

    5. Confectioner's sugar is being slowly added to the peanut butter filling mixture with a mixer.

  5. Flavor Boosters: Next, add the vanilla extract and the freshly squeezed lemon juice. The vanilla enhances the sweetness, while the lemon juice, a secret ingredient for many, brightens the rich flavors of the peanut butter and cream cheese, preventing the pie from being overly heavy. Increase the mixer speed to medium-high and beat for another minute or two until the filling is wonderfully smooth and light.

    6. Vanilla extract is poured into the peanut butter pie filling.

    Lemon juice is poured into the peanut butter pie filling mixture.

  6. Lighten with Whipped Cream (The Folding Technique): Retrieve your reserved whipped cream from the refrigerator. Add about one-third of the whipped cream to the peanut butter filling and gently stir it in with a spatula until just combined. At this stage, you’re not aiming for a perfect fold; this step primarily serves to loosen the dense filling, making it easier to incorporate the rest of the whipped cream without deflating it.

    7. About one-third of the whipped cream is stirred into the peanut butter filling.

  7. Fold in Remaining Whipped Cream: Add the remaining two-thirds of the whipped cream to the loosened filling. Now, using a rubber spatula, carefully fold the whipped cream into the filling. To fold, cut down through the middle of the mixture with your spatula, sweep it across the bottom of the bowl, and then bring it up the side, allowing the mixture to gently fall back over itself. Rotate the bowl slightly and repeat this motion until all the whipped cream is just incorporated and no streaks remain. This gentle folding ensures the filling remains light, airy, and fluffy.

    8. The remaining whipped cream is gently folded into the peanut butter pie filling for a light texture.

Part 3: Assembly, Chilling, and Serving

The creamy peanut butter filling is poured into the prepared chocolate crust, ready to be smoothed.

  1. Fill and Decorate: Pour the airy peanut butter filling into the chilled pie crust. Use your spatula to gently smooth out the top, creating an inviting surface. If desired, sprinkle with additional finely chopped chocolate, chocolate shavings, or more chopped peanuts for a visually appealing and texturally exciting finish.

    2. A whole Peanut Butter Pie, decorated with chocolate shavings and peanuts, ready for refrigeration.

  2. Chill to Perfection: This is a crucial step for any no-bake pie. Refrigerate the pie for at least 3 hours, or ideally, overnight. This extended chilling time allows the filling to firm up, the flavors to meld beautifully, and the pie to set perfectly for clean slices. Patience truly pays off here!

    3. A slice of creamy Peanut Butter Pie, adorned with a dollop of whipped cream, on a plate.

  3. Serve and Enjoy: Once thoroughly chilled, your magnificent Peanut Butter Pie is ready to be served. Enjoy it as is, allowing its rich, creamy flavors to shine, or elevate the experience by whipping up an extra batch of heavy cream to spoon over each slice. A sprinkle of cocoa powder or a drizzle of chocolate syrup can also add a delightful touch.

Enjoy this delightful and comforting pie, a testament to both flavor and fellowship!

A half-eaten Peanut Butter Pie, showing creamy texture and chocolate crust, with a slice already taken.

Notes: This recipe is adapted from a cherished recipe by Jennifer Perillo, shared in loving memory of her late husband, Mikey. It stands as a beacon of comfort food, embodying the power of community and shared culinary experiences in times of both sorrow and celebration.

A Community United: The Enduring Legacy of #APieForMikey

The #apieformikey movement truly showcased the incredible power of food and community. Hundreds of bloggers and home cooks worldwide made this pie, not just as a delicious dessert, but as a tangible expression of love, support, and remembrance for Jennifer and Mikey. It created a beautiful, edible mosaic of compassion, transcending geographical boundaries. Here are just a few of the many who shared their versions, a small glimpse into the vast network of caring individuals:

Collage of various Peanut Butter Pies made by different bloggers for the #apieformikey movement.

  • Return to Sunday Supper
  • Tartelette
  • Create Celebrate Explore
  • Little Miss Dids
  • Baked Bree
  • Pixelated Crumb
  • Flour Child
  • The Little Kitchen
  • Gluten Free Girl
  • Not Without Salt
  • Family Fresh Cooking
  • Kitchen Travels
  • Not Nearly Enough Peanut Butter Pie

You can discover many more heartfelt peanut butter pies made in honor of Jennie and Mikey here.

To follow the ongoing conversations and shared memories related to this touching initiative, explore the Twitter stream for #apieformikey here.

Further connect with the community and see the enduring spirit of solidarity by visiting the Facebook page created in Jennifer and Mikey’s honor here.

Share Your Sweet Moments

This Peanut Butter Pie is more than just a recipe; it’s an invitation to connect, to comfort, and to celebrate the bonds that tie us together. Whether you’re making it to honor a memory, share with loved ones, or simply indulge in a moment of pure culinary bliss, we hope it brings warmth and joy to your table. We encourage you to try this beloved recipe, and if you do, please share your experience. Let us know how it turned out and how you made it your own. Your stories and creations continue to weave into the beautiful tapestry of connection that this pie represents.