Peanut Butter Silk Pie with Chocolate Ganache

Peanut Butter Silk Pie is the ultimate indulgence for peanut butter lovers. This dessert features a rich, creamy peanut butter filling set in a buttery, flaky crust, and topped with a decadent chocolate ganache. The combination of smooth peanut butter and glossy chocolate creates a dessert that is both luxurious and irresistible.

The silky texture of the peanut butter filling contrasts perfectly with the slightly crisp crust, while the chocolate ganache adds a rich, sophisticated layer of flavor. It’s a pie that’s perfect for celebrations, dinner parties, or anytime you want a dessert that feels both special and indulgent.

Why I Love This Recipe

I love this recipe because it’s luxurious yet simple to make. The filling is smooth, creamy, and intensely peanut buttery, while the chocolate ganache adds a touch of richness that elevates the pie.

It’s also visually stunning, especially when topped with whipped cream and chocolate curls or peanut pieces.

Why It’s a Must-Try Dish

  • Peanut butter heaven: Creamy, rich, and full of flavor.
  • Chocolate ganache topping: Adds elegance and depth of flavor.
  • Perfect texture: Silky filling with a buttery, flaky crust.
  • Crowd-pleaser: Loved by kids and adults alike.
  • Impressive dessert: Great for special occasions and celebrations.

Recipe Information

  • Preparation Time: 25 minutes
  • Chilling Time: 4 hours
  • Total Time: 4 hours 25 minutes
  • Servings: 8
  • Calories: ~450 kcal per slice
  • Course: Dessert
  • Cuisine: American

Ingredients

For the Pie Crust

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed
  • 3–4 tablespoons ice water
  • 1 tablespoon sugar

For the Peanut Butter Filling

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter
  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream, whipped

For the Chocolate Ganache

  • 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
  • ½ cup heavy cream

Optional Toppings

  • Whipped cream
  • Chocolate curls or shavings
  • Chopped peanuts

Cooking Directions

Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust

  1. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
  2. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.
  3. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
  4. Gradually add ice water until dough forms.
  5. Roll out dough and fit into a 9-inch pie pan. Trim edges.
  6. Prick bottom with a fork, line with parchment, fill with pie weights or beans, and bake 12–15 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool completely.

Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Filling

  1. In a medium bowl, beat peanut butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy.
  2. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; beat until fully combined.
  3. Fold in whipped cream gently until smooth and fluffy.
  4. Spread filling evenly into cooled pie crust.

Step 3: Prepare the Chocolate Ganache

  1. Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer.
  2. Pour hot cream over chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
  3. Let sit for 1–2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy.
  4. Allow ganache to cool slightly before pouring over peanut butter filling.
  5. Spread evenly and chill pie in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or until set.

Step 4: Optional Toppings

  1. Pipe or spread whipped cream over the ganache if desired.
  2. Garnish with chocolate shavings, curls, or chopped peanuts.

Step-by-Step Preparation Method (Summary)

  1. Make and bake pie crust; cool completely.
  2. Beat peanut butter, cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla; fold in whipped cream.
  3. Spread filling into cooled crust.
  4. Make ganache and pour over filling; chill to set.
  5. Add optional whipped cream and garnish before serving.

How to Serve

  • Slice chilled for clean portions.
  • Serve as-is or with extra whipped cream and chocolate or peanut toppings.
  • Pair with coffee or a scoop of vanilla ice cream for extra indulgence.

Recipe Tips

  • Use room temperature cream cheese for a smooth filling.
  • Chill the pie long enough to ensure ganache and filling are set for clean slices.
  • Fold whipped cream gently to maintain light, airy texture.
  • For extra flavor, lightly toast peanuts before adding as garnish.
  • Use good-quality chocolate for ganache for a richer flavor.

Variations

  1. Dark Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie: Use dark chocolate for ganache.
  2. Salted Caramel Peanut Butter Pie: Drizzle caramel over ganache before serving.
  3. Mini Pies: Make individual servings in tart pans.
  4. Chocolate Crust Version: Use chocolate cookie crust instead of traditional crust.
  5. Crunchy Peanut Butter Pie: Fold in chopped peanuts into the filling for added texture.

Freezing and Storage

  • Refrigeration: Store covered in the fridge for up to 3 days.
  • Freezing: Pie can be frozen without whipped cream topping for up to 1 month. Thaw in refrigerator before serving.
  • Whipped Cream: Best added fresh; do not freeze with whipped cream.

Special Equipment Needed

  • 9-inch pie pan
  • Mixing bowls
  • Electric mixer
  • Spatula
  • Saucepan and heatproof bowl for ganache

FAQ

Q: Can I use natural peanut butter?
A: Yes, but the filling may be slightly looser. Choose a creamy, well-stirred natural peanut butter.

Q: Can I make this pie ahead of time?
A: Yes, assemble and chill pie; add whipped cream topping just before serving.

Q: Can I use milk chocolate for ganache?
A: Yes, but the ganache will be sweeter and less intense in chocolate flavor.

Q: Can I make a no-bake version?
A: Yes, use a no-bake cookie crust and prepare the filling without baking. Ganache can still be poured over.

Q: How do I prevent the ganache from melting the filling?
A: Allow ganache to cool slightly to room temperature before pouring over the filling.

Conclusion

Peanut Butter Silk Pie with Chocolate Ganache is a decadent, indulgent dessert that combines creamy peanut butter filling, rich chocolate ganache, and a buttery crust. Perfect for holidays, dinner parties, or special occasions, it’s a dessert that’s impressive, visually stunning, and irresistibly delicious. With its smooth texture, nutty flavor, and chocolatey richness, this pie is guaranteed to delight peanut butter lovers and chocolate enthusiasts alike.

Peanut Butter Silk Pie with Chocolate Ganache

Recipe by Elina JamesCourse: DessertsCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: easy
Servings

8

servings
Prep time

25

minutes
Cooking time

4

hours 
Total time

4

hours 

25

minutes

Ingredients

  • For the Pie Crust

  • 1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

  • ½ teaspoon salt

  • ½ cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

  • 3–4 tablespoons ice water

  • 1 tablespoon sugar

  • For the Peanut Butter Filling

  • 1 cup creamy peanut butter

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened

  • 1 cup powdered sugar

  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • 1 ½ cups heavy cream, whipped

  • For the Chocolate Ganache

  • 6 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped

  • ½ cup heavy cream

  • Optional Toppings

  • Whipped cream

  • Chocolate curls or shavings

  • Chopped peanuts

Directions

  • Step 1: Prepare the Pie Crust : Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Gradually add ice water until dough forms. Roll out dough and fit into a 9-inch pie pan. Trim edges. Prick bottom with a fork, line with parchment, fill with pie weights or beans, and bake 12–15 minutes until lightly golden. Let cool completely.
  • Step 2: Make the Peanut Butter Filling : In a medium bowl, beat peanut butter and cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract; beat until fully combined. Fold in whipped cream gently until smooth and fluffy. Spread filling evenly into cooled pie crust.
  • Step 3: Prepare the Chocolate Ganache : Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat until it begins to simmer. Pour hot cream over chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Let sit for 1–2 minutes, then stir until smooth and glossy. Allow ganache to cool slightly before pouring over peanut butter filling. Spread evenly and chill pie in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or until set.
  • Step 4: Optional Toppings : Pipe or spread whipped cream over the ganache if desired. Garnish with chocolate shavings, curls, or chopped peanuts.

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