Grandma Beatty’s Peanut Butter Pie
Shout out to peanut butter lovers everywhere! This pie is for you. Grandma Beatty’s easy peanut butter pie recipe is one of a kind. The best part is how simple and delicious this silky smooth peanut butter dessert is.
Why we love this peanut butter pie
This pie is my husband’s favorite. Grandma always had the ingredients on hand to whip up a peanut butter pie if she knew we were coming to visit. Ken always orders peanut butter pie if it’s on the dessert menu and always says, “It’s not as good as Grandma’s.” He would eat the whole thing if he didn’t have me fighting him for it! This is an original recipe made with vanilla pudding, and the peanut butter flavor comes from a peanut butter crumble layered in the pudding. It’s light and creamy, with just the right amount of creamy peanut butter flavor, topped off with whipped topping and a sprinkle of peanut butter crumbles. You have to make this pie to taste how amazing it is! Grandma was the only one who made this creamy dessert for years, but eventually, she gave me the recipe; as you can see, the recipe card has seen better days!
I’ve made a few adjustments, making my pudding from scratch and making whipped topping instead of using Cool-Whip. I will give you the option to make this decadent peanut butter pie recipe whichever way you choose. They are both amazing: from scratch with simple ingredients or with a little bit of help from a boxed pudding mix.
Gather these ingredients
I like to make my homemade crust and blind bake it. As you can see, it’s not perfect, but it tastes yummy. Please don’t let crust keep you from making pie. I know it freaks some people out. If this is you, purchase premade crusts in the refrigerator section of your grocery store. My grandma always kept a couple of store-bought crusts on hand for pies. Sometimes, she made the crust from scratch, but it was harder for her to stand too long in the kitchen as she got older. Her pies were still full of love! More tips on variations of pie crust for this pie can be found below.
Let’s make a pie – only a few simple steps!
For the pie filling; combine flour, sugar, and salt in a 3-quart saucepan. Whisk together egg yolks and whole milk until frothy in a separate bowl or a large measuring cup. Add the wet and dry ingredients together, mix well; no lumps are allowed—place the saucepan on the stovetop over medium heat. Do not walk away. Whisk pudding continually until it comes to a low bowl and thickens. Be sure to get the bottom of the pan as you are whisking so the pudding does not burn on the bottom. You may need to turn down the temperature depending on your stove.
When pudding becomes thick enough to cover the back of a spoon, remove pan from the stove top and add butter and vanilla extract. Butter will melt from the heat of the pudding, whisk in melted butter and vanilla. Set pudding aside and let it cool.
Combine a 1/2 cup of peanut butter with a 1/2 cup powdered sugar in a small bowl and cut it together with a fork pushing up against the sides of the bowl with the fork until it becomes a crumbly peanut butter mixture.
Let’s assemble this pie!
Take 3/4 of the peanut butter crumble and place it in the bottom of the pie crust, spreading it out in an even layer.
Excuse the wonky crust; it’s what’s on the inside that counts. Also, it tasted fabulous—all butter, flaky, and perfectly laminated—just a wee bit wonky.
Spread all the pudding over the peanut butter layer and smooth it to the edges of the pie pan.
Sprinkle the remainder of the peanut butter crumbles over the top of the pudding in the pie plate.
Add heavy whipping cream to a large bowl. Add sugar and vanilla extract. Whip using an electric mixer or a stand mixer until peaks start to form and you have whipped topping. You can serve this along side your finished pie, or you can pipe it on top of the pie before serving.
I dolloped the whipped topping around the outer edge of the pie with a spoon. To be more precise, you can use a pastry bag with a large decorative tip to pipe the whipped topping on top of the pie.
If you want to get extra fancy, put a couple of tablespoons of creamy peanut butter into a small dish, place it in the microwave, and warm at 10-second intervals until the peanut butter becomes loose. This shouldn’t take longer than 30 seconds. Clip the corner of the resealable food storage bag, pour in the warm creamy peanut butter, and swirl the bag over the top of the pie. Voila!
Tips & Variations
- Pie Crust: A pre-made crust from the grocery store’s refrigerator section is always a great option; blind bake it. Alternatively, you can make a homemade graham cracker crust or Oreo crust or purchase premade store-bought cookie crusts. This would then classify as a (no) bake peanut butter pie recipe!
- Vanilla Pudding: You can make this simple recipe even easier by using a large box of vanilla pudding mix instead of making the homemade version, as I have above. This is actually how Grandma Beatty did it, so there’s no shame in it!
- Peanut Butter: I have found that Jiff crunchy peanut butter works the best for this recipe. Over the years, I have tried a variety of peanut butter. All natural peanut butter will work if that’s what you have, but Jiff is better. I keep a jar on hand just for baking cookies and grandma’s pie.
- Peanut Butter Crumbles: If your prefer to use your food processor for this step that works well, especially if you are making more than one of Grandma Beatty’s pies. Or if. you have one of the cute mini food processors. If you are making a homemade cookie crust you probably have your food processor out already.
- Make-ahead: This is a great make-ahead dessert. You can make this pie up to two days before serving. Make it up to the point just before the whipped topping. Cover the whole pie tightly with plastic wrap and store it in the refrigerator for up to 48 hours before serving. When ready to serve, whip the heavy whipping cream as explained in the last step above, decorate your pie with it, or serve it on the side.
- No-bake dessert: If you are looking for a super easy no bake dessert, this pie can be that for you. If you use a store-bought graham cracker, vanilla cookie, or Oreo cookie crust, and instant vanilla pudding, you do not even have to turn your stovetop on!
If left alone with Grandma Beatty’s peanut butter pie, my husband would eat the whole thing! I could, too, over a couple of days anyway. I originally was inspired to share the recipe for this pie from a post food blogger Jennifer Perillo posted in August of 2011 after her husband Mikey died suddenly from a heart attack. I cannot find her original post, but at the time it sparked a movement of people posting their peanut butter pie recipes. The post was about her husband asking her to make him his favorite pie, but she was busy and didn’t get around to making it for him, and then he died unexpectedly. Everyday is a gift with those we love. We never know what the day will bring or how long we will have with them. Young or old, all of our futures are unknown, which I choose not to think about because, dang, it just makes me super sad. However, it does motivate me to love my people better, be more present in their lives, and quit being so caught up in all the small, insignificant details of each day. I have worked pretty hard at this in the last several years. I like things clean and tidy, but I was also missing out on what life had to offer because I was worrying about “things” being perfect. So, I urge you today to stop whatever is keeping you so busy and spend time with your loved ones. Make them their favorite dessert or this pie!
As always I appreciate you taking the time to use Eat2gather to feed your people. If you could take a few seconds to rate the recipe below in the recipe card, PIN this recipe and share it on your social media tagging @eat2gather, this is super helpful to my business. Much love, Sheila
Grandma Beatty’s Peanut Butter Pie
Equipment
- pie dish 9"
Ingredients
Pudding
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup flour
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 egg yolks
- 2 cups whole milk
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon butter room tempurature
Peanut Butter Crumble
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1/2 cup chunky peanut butter
Whipped Topping
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Prepare the pastry crust by rolling it out and placing it in a 9-inch pie dish. Crimp the edges and prick the bottom with a fork. Put parchment paper inside the crust, fill it with pie weights, and bake it in a 350-degree oven for 25 minutes. If you decide to use a store-bought graham cracker or cookie crust, well, then, of course, you can skip this step altogether and move on to the pudding!
Pudding
- Combine sugar, flour, and salt in a 3-quart saucepan. In a separate bowl, whisk together egg yolks and milk. Add to the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth. Place the pan on the stovetop over medium heat. Do not leave; whisk continually until the pudding comes to a low boil. Depending on your stove, you may need to turn down the heat so you do not burn the pudding. When the pudding is thick enough to cover the back of a spoon, remove it from the stovetop and let it cool.
Peanut Butter Crumbles
- Add powdered sugar and peanut butter to a small bowl and combine with a fork until crumbly. Set aside.
Whipped Topping
- Sprinkle sugar and vanilla over heavy whipping cream in a mixing bowl and whip with a hand mixer until stiff peaks form.
- Pie Assembly: After the crust and pudding have cooled to room temperature, take 3/4 of the peanut butter crumble and sprinkle it over the bottom of the crust. Cover with pudding, top with remaining peanut butter crumbles, and top with whipped topping. Garnish as you like with melted peanut butter. Store in the refrigerator until chilled through.
I haven’t made a peanut butter pie since I was probably in the 6th grade, but look forward to making this one (although may take the easy route). Thanks Sheila for the inspiration!
No shame in the easy route! Enjoy! 😉
I want the t-shirt…I’m making the pie…it will be great and I can’t wait! 🙂 I’m a believer and I’m pie eater…Yay!
Love it! Shoot me an email at [email protected] if you would really like a t-shirt. I hope you enjoy the pie! Thanks for stopping by ; )
Three things:
One – I have a basic PB pie recipe too, but this is a neat twist with the crumbles!! But, I love adapting it to make Nutella Pie, Biscoff Pie, etc.
Two – Did you know there is a Pie Town, NM? I went there and they have a Pie Town cookbook, my goal is to bake my way through THAT! That’s A LOT of pie, y’all! 🙂 (haha)
Three – I want that shirt! Pie is my thing!
xoxo
Katie, How did we not figure out our mutual love of pie this past weekend….dang, that’s important stuff right there! xoxo Sheila
Love your website!
Kim, Thank YOU!! Thanks for stopping by…don’t be a stranger ; ) Sheila
I have so many special memories of my grandmother, and many recipe cards that belonged to her, they are worth more than gold to me.
Becky, I am so with you on that, I have a old cookbook that has my great grandma’s hand written notes in it, truly a treasure. Sheila
This pie looks fantastic! Definitely need to try. I always love your recipes. I remember reading Jennie’s post back in 2011. Brought tears again today. Thanks for the reminder to embrace today!
Thanks for your kind words! xoxox Sheila
Sheila, this post is so so perfect for us moms as we enter summer. I’m already feeling overwhelmed bc we’ve had a rough month of May and I’m striving to get my head above water…. entering summer with zero preparedness. This post hit the spot for me. Thanks Friend!!! {hugs}
Kim, Yeah! xoxox So good to see you pretty face pop up in my comments! Thanks for stopping by. Much love and many blessings to you! Sheila
Oh wow, this looks just incredible Sheila! I love family recipes and thank you so much for sharing yours for this luscious pie. See you at the Ziplist party tomorrow!
Georgia, Thanks for stopping by! I can’t wait to meet you tomorrow ; ) It’s going to be a great weekend!! Sheila
This is the absolute best sort of recipe… those old recipe cards with smudges on them are treasured in my house too. Looks delish!
Thanks Lori! I’m looking forward to seeing you in Austin! xoxox Sheila
I love Grandma B’s peanut butter pie. We don’t have Cool Whip in Australia so it will be all homemade but I can’t wait to give it a try.
Maureen, i hope you love it just don’t swap out the the Peanut Butter for vegamite! ; ) tee hee just kidding! Did you get your book yet?
I did! I have it sitting right next to me. I’m nearly finished reading 🙂
Yummy, yummy, yummy! I’ll trade a beach day/boat day/mommy drink day for just one Sheila made peanut butter pie!
BEST PIE EVER!
Oh my! I must make this!
Sheila, How do I not know about this pudding? When I make pies I always do homemade on the stovetop pudding with cornstarch(which I on’t like to use anymore) stirring constantly til boiling and thick. I can accomplish this in the microwave without cornstarch? I’m all in!!! Do you make chocolate pudding tis way too?
Lovely comments about Jenny and Mikey. Nice people.
Yes you can make this pudding with chocolate. it’s under the best chocolate pie ever on my blog. Actually a recipe from the Point of Grace cook book, I just adapted it for vanilla. My mom always made homemade pudding that way too, stovetop with cornstarch, but I could never get it to turn out, it was always runny. This microwave recipe works every time! It’s the best thing since sliced bread let me tell ya!
OK…yum on the pie! I hope you make one of these soon for a get together. Thanks for the reminder to look at the upside of spending endless summer days with your peeps AND to hug/love on those close to you as often as you can. Your the best….
I am making this peanut butter pie TODAY! Thanks for posting
Betsy, I hope you enjoy! Sheila
Loved your post as always. You’re very wise to embrace every moment with your children. Best investment you’ll ever make…coming from my father, a banker. Would love a pie o’clock t-shirt. Happy summer!!
Can’t wait to try this pie! I also would love a T-shirt. Thanks!
Oh wow!! This looks and sounds incredible!! Perfect for any summer day!
I love that you speak of your grandmother with such love….even though she was grouchy, my grandmother was too, but she had so much love for grand kids and great grand kids! Sometimes grouchy was trying to deal with; now that she has passed we speak of some of her “grouchiest” moments with laughter and love :). I will make this pie for my brother in law…. A peanut butter pie nut!!
I’m glad you understand what I mean…I kinda loved her grouchy days as much as her sweet ones! And you are right now that she is gone, thinking back on some of her grouchier moments make us laugh! I hope your bro-n-law loves this pie as much as my Kenny does. thanks for stopping by, Sheila
Beautiful post as usual, my favorite line is the last one….hello lovely chaos. I am looking forward to the kiddos being home! Happy summer to you friend.
Chelle’, I miss you! Can we have a pool day this summer…I’ll fix you and the boys lunch! xoxo Sheila
Sheila,
I’m making the pie! I’ll gladly give up my gluten free life for a slice of this yummy looking pie! And I LOVE peanut butter! And…. are you selling your t-shirts? I have a friend who would absolutely adore it! She loves pie as much as you do. Let me know. I’d like to buy one for her!
Thanks! Lisa
The pie looks yummy, but the t-shirt is so fun!!!
This recipe sounds so yummy! I love pie – one of my favorite desserts…heck, who am I kidding, I love all desserts! I will be loving and caring for our two youngest grandchildren this summer for 3 days each week, and we will be baking one day each week (the youngest, age 9 now) loves to crack eggs on the counter (never the edge of the bowl) – his eyes get so big when egg seeps out a little. So – we will be making Grandma Betty’s Peanut Butter pie on Thursday. I’m grateful for more time to build memories with all 4 of my adorable grandchildren. Thank, Sheila!
Janey, What great memories! I have have so many memories of being in the kitchen with my mom and grandma. These are the things we should cherish, cracking eggs and hugging cute kiddos! xoxox muchlove to you! Sheila
This pie looks amazing, Sheila. I can’t wait to try it. My husband and I are celebrating our 10th anniversary this week, so maybe I’ll make it for him.
Looks good. Hey if you ever feel like sharing what to do with your teens this summer, share, I have 4 teen at home and I always had everything figure out and plained, not no more, I’m having a hard time coming up with ideas to do now that they are teens, when they were little they liked everything and everything was exciting, but now – its work…. Share if you ever feel up to it. Love your blog.
Pam, I agree, teens are hard. Gone are the days of sitting around the kiddy pool. I will think and pray about a post I could share. Thanks for reading! xoxo Sheila
What a lovely post, and that pie looks incredible. I’m looking forward to the day I’ll be ready to make that pie again. I know it’ll happen one day.
xo—Jennie
Wish I had that pie to chow on right now!!
Ohmagawd….this pie looks ridiculously delicious!!! Much love to Grandma Beatty. xoxo