Decadence with a smidge of playfulness… that is what you get to experience with every bite of this Rich Peanut Butter Pie. A cocoa-infused crust holds all that creamy, peanut butter filling, with a topping of milk chocolate ganache crowned over a layer of fresh honey-roasted peanuts and flaky sea salt for pure pie perfection! Rich Peanut Butter Pie is an intriguing addition to your “pie chart” that every peanut butter-lover will go nuts for! Rich, decadent, playful, and yet oh-so elegant!
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup Dutch-process cocoa powder
- 3/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, divided
For the filling:
- 1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
- 1/4 cup cornstarch
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 5 large egg yolks
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1/2 cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
For the ganache:
- 2 ounces milk chocolate, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup honey roasted peanut, roughly chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon flaky sea salt
Directions
Step 1 –Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F.
Step 2 –Line an 18×26-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 3 –In a large bowl, add the flour, the cocoa powder, the granulated sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons of the cornstarch, and 1 1/2 teaspoons of the salt and whisk to combine.
Step 4 –In a microwave-safe bowl, add 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon of the butter and melt in the microwave on high power.
Step 5 –Add the melted butter to the flour mixture and stir until it forms into rough clumps.
Step 6 –Knead the crust mixture until no loose dry ingredients remain.
Step 7 –Spread the crust mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and bake, stirring after 10 minutes, until it is fragrant and dried out, about 20 minutes.
Step 8 –Transfer the baking sheet to a wire rack and let the crust cool completely.
Step 9 –In a food processor, add the cooled crust and pulse until it is finely ground.
Step 10 –In a second microwave-safe bowl, add the remaining butter and melt in the microwave on high power.
Step 11 –Add the remaining melted butter to the crumb mixture and pulse until the crumbs are evenly moistened.
Step 12 –Pour the crumb mixture into an ungreased 9-inch pie plate and evenly press it into the bottom and up the sides.
Step 13 –Bake the crust until it is set, about 12 minutes.
Step 14 –Transfer the pie plate to a wire rack and let the crust cool while making the filling.
Step 15 –In medium saucepan with the stovetop heat off, add the brown sugar, the remaining cornstarch, and the remaining salt and whisk to combine.
Step 16 –Add the egg yolks to the brown sugar mixture and whisk until a smooth, thick paste forms.
Step 17 –Turn the stovetop on medium heat. Add the milk to the filling mixture and cook, stirring constantly, until it bubbles and thickens into a pudding, about 8-10 minutes.
Step 18 –Transfer the saucepan to a wire rack. Add the peanut butter and the vanilla extract to the filling and whisk until it is smooth.
Step 19 –Immediately pour the filling into the cooled crust and smooth out the top.
Step 20 –In a third, large, microwave-safe bowl, add the chopped chocolate.
Step 21 –In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring the heavy cream to a simmer.
Step 22 –Immediately pour the hot cream over the chopped chocolate and let it stand, about 1 minute.
Step 23 –Using a spoon and starting in the center of the mixture, slowly stir the chocolate mixture until it emulsifies into a shiny sauce.
Step 24 –Pour the ganache mixture over pie, then pick it up and carefully tilt it so the ganache evenly coats the filling layer.
Step 25 –Sprinkle the ganache layer with the peanuts.
Step 26 –Place the pie in the refrigerator and let it chill until the filling and the ganache are set, for at least 2 hours and up to overnight.
Step 27 –Sprinkle the pie with the sea salt.
Step 28 –Slice and serve.
