Irresistible No-Bake Peanut Butter Pie Cups: Your New Favorite Frozen Treat

Prepare to be enchanted by these delightful Peanut Butter Pie Cups – the epitome of a perfect sweet and salty combination, all conveniently served in a single, irresistible cup. These ooey-gooey, creamy cups of frozen peanut butter pie are so incredibly good that they vanish in moments, often before I can even capture enough photos! They truly are a testament to how quick and utterly delicious a homemade dessert can be.

A Special Welcome and A Tribute to My Mom, Joan Hayes

Hey, everyone! I’m Grace Hayes, and I’m incredibly honored and a little emotional to be taking over this blog to cherish and carry on my amazing mom, Joan’s, memory. My mom was my biggest inspiration in so many aspects of life, and it was in her kitchen that I learned everything I know about the joy and art of baking. I was always her faithful assistant, whether it was cracking eggs, stirring batter, or taste-testing (my favorite part!). Sometimes, she’d even let me take the lead and run the show, which felt like the biggest privilege in the world. Every recipe I share here will carry a piece of her spirit and the lessons she taught me, both about baking and about life.

The Inspiration Behind These Mini Marvels: Why Peanut Butter Pie Cups?

The idea for these particular Peanut Butter Pie Cups struck me during one of my late-night social media scrolls. I stumbled upon a truly mouth-watering image of a peanut butter pie, and I instantly knew I had to recreate it, but with my own personal touch. As any enthusiastic baker knows, inspiration often hits at the least convenient times! When I went to grab my pie pan, I found it, predictably, dirty from a previous baking adventure. Instead of letting that deter me, a new, even better idea sparked: “Why not make individual miniature pies instead?”

And honestly, that spontaneous decision led to something truly extraordinary. These mini peanut butter pies are not just tasty; they’re incredibly practical and fun! They are perfectly portioned for any gathering, making serving a breeze, and they’re an absolute hit with the little ones who adore having a special “pie just for them.” No slicing, no messy plates, just pure, unadulterated peanut butter bliss in a convenient, handheld format. This “happy accident” turned into one of our family’s most requested desserts!

A Simple Recipe That Delivers Big Flavor

This recipe for frozen Peanut Butter Pie Cups is genuinely a game-changer. It’s incredibly straightforward, requiring just a few common ingredients and a handful of simple steps. You’ll be indulging in these ice cream-like, rich peanut butter treats in what feels like no time at all. The process is almost unbelievably easy: mix your crust, whip up the creamy filling, freeze until firm, add an optional decorative topping, and BOOM – they’re ready to eat! It’s a fantastic no-bake dessert option that frees up your oven for other things, especially during busy holidays or hot summer days.

Every Christmas Eve, my family gathers for a feast of appetizers and an array of festive desserts. This year, I have no doubt that these irresistible peanut butter pie cups will be making a prominent appearance on that coveted list! Their individual serving size and incredible flavor make them an ideal addition to any holiday spread or celebration.

Winning Over Even the Pickiest Eaters

Let me tell you a little secret: my adorable 3-year-old nephew, Edward, is a sweet tooth through and through, but he’s notoriously wary of peanut butter. However, I managed to cleverly “trick” him into trying one of these frozen peanut butter pie cups. To my absolute delight (and his surprise!), he loved it! He devoured it and immediately asked for more. If I can get a peanut butter skeptic like Edward to fall in love with this dessert, I am absolutely confident your entire family, even those who claim not to like peanut butter, will be asking for seconds too. It’s truly a testament to the magic of these sweet and salty little wonders!

Tips for the Perfect Peanut Butter Pie Cups

• Crust Consistency: When pressing the cookie crumble into the liners, make sure it’s packed down firmly. This prevents the crust from falling apart when you unwrap your pie cups. A small tart tamper or the bottom of a shot glass works wonders for this!
• Freezing Time is Key: Don’t rush the freezing process. The 45 minutes for the filling is crucial for the cups to set properly and have that delightful frozen, ice cream-like texture. For firmer cups, you can even extend this time.
• Don’t Overmix the Topping: When making the whipped topping, mix until just combined and fluffy. Overmixing can cause the whipped cream to lose its airy texture.
• Homemade vs. Store-Bought Whipped Cream: As mentioned in the notes, you can absolutely use store-bought whipped cream (like Cool Whip) for convenience, or try making your own for a fresher, richer flavor. Just ensure it’s well-chilled before mixing.
• Easy Unwrapping: For best results, let the pie cups sit at room temperature for just a minute or two before unwrapping. This makes peeling the liner off much easier.

Delicious Variations to Try

While the classic Peanut Butter Pie Cup is undeniably perfect, there’s always room for a little creative twist! Here are a few ideas to customize these delightful treats:

• Different Crusts: Instead of chocolate sandwich cookies, try a graham cracker crust or even a vanilla wafer crust for a different flavor profile.
• Chocolate Lover’s Dream: Drizzle melted chocolate or chocolate ganache over the whipped topping for an extra layer of decadence. You could also mix mini chocolate chips into the peanut butter filling.
• Nutty Additions: For added texture, sprinkle chopped peanuts or even a different type of nut (like pecans or walnuts) on top of the whipped cream.
• Flavor Boost: Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract to the pie filling for an extra depth of flavor.
• Peanut Butter Swirl: For a marbled effect, warm a small amount of peanut butter until slightly runny and swirl it into the whipped topping before piping.

Storing Your Peanut Butter Pie Cups

These frozen peanut butter pie cups are fantastic for making ahead of time! Store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2-3 weeks. For best texture, allow them to sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving, especially if they are rock-solid directly from the freezer. This slightly softens them to that perfect, creamy consistency.

Yield: 24 cups

Peanut Butter Pie Cups

Frozen, peanut buttery, and delicious!

Prep Time
20 minutes

Chilling
2 hours

Additional Time
10 minutes

Total Time
2 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Crust

• 30 chocolate sandwich cookies
• 1 stick of melted butter

Pie Filling

• 1/2 cup of whipped cream cheese
• 1/2 cup evaporated milk
• 1 cup of peanut butter
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
• 8 ounces of whipped cream
• 1/2 cup peanut butter chips (optional)

Whipped Topping (optional)

• 1/4 cup of peanut butter
• 8 ounces of whipped cream

Instructions

Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Crust

1. Line cupcake pan with cupcake liners.
2. In a microwavable bowl, melt a whole stick of butter, which can be salted or unsalted.
3. Grind your cookies in a food processer until completely smooth.
4. Pour cookies into melted butter and mix completely.
5. Put about a spoon full of the cookies crumble into the bottom of each cupcake liner and press down as flat as you can.
6. Put in the fridge and let sit while you make the filling.

Pie Filling

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine whipped cream cheese and evaporated milk and mix until there are little to no chunks.
2. Add in peanut butter then powdered sugar and mix until smooth.
3. Next, add in 8 ounces of whipped cream and peanut butter chips.
4. Spoon onto the cookie crust and put it into the freezer for about 45 minutes.

Whipped Topping (optional)

1. Mix together whipped cream and peanut butter completely but don’t over mix.
2. Once the 45 minutes are over, pipe the whipped topping onto the pie cups.
3. Dust some crushed cookies on top and you can eat or store in the freezer!

Notes

I made about 16 ounces of homemade whipping cream and used half for the pie filling and half for the whipped topping, but you can also just use a tub of cool whip for each instead.

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

24

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 292Total Fat: 20gSaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 29mgSodium: 177mgCarbohydrates: 25gFiber: 1gSugar: 17gProtein: 5g

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