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This Giant Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Pie is the dream dessert for anyone who craves that classic chocolate and peanut butter combination. You get creamy, fluffy peanut butter filling tucked inside a crunchy cookie crust and blanketed by glossy chocolate ganache. Whether you are celebrating a special event or craving a rich treat on a cozy evening this pie always brings smiles and satisfied sighs to the table.
I remember making this pie for my birthday one year just to see everyone’s eyes widen at the sight of it. Now it is requested at nearly every family get-together and never lasts long.
Ingredients
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips: bring depth and strong chocolate essence use a high quality brand to avoid waxy finish
- Heavy whipping cream: creates a truly velvety ganache softly coats the top for that signature finish
- Oreo cookies: add bold chocolate flavor and crunch look for classic chocolate variety for best results
- Nutter Butter cookies: add peanutty crunch in the crust check freshness by feeling for crispness through the package
- Salted butter: binds crumbs and adds rich flavor salted variety balances the sweetness in every layer
- Creamy peanut butter: gives ultra-smooth filling choose a creamy jar with a fresh roasted aroma for maximum taste
- Whipped cream cheese: boosts creaminess and stabilizes the filling pick one without added flavors or thickeners
- Powdered sugar: sweetens the filling and blends smoothly sift if you see clumps for extra smooth texture
- Cool Whip: gives light fluffy structure to filling fully thaw in fridge for easy folding in
- Reese’s peanut butter cups: chopped for topping add bursts of flavor and signature look freeze slightly for easy chopping
Step-by-Step Instructions
- Make the Ganache:
- In a large microwave-safe bowl gently heat the heavy whipping cream for about one minute until steaming hot but not boiling keep a close watch to avoid scorching. Add the chocolate chips to the hot cream and let it sit undisturbed for several minutes this helps the chocolate melt fully for an ultra-smooth ganache. Slowly stir the mixture until the chocolate is fully melted and the ganache is shiny and very smooth let it cool while you prepare the rest to thicken slightly for easy spreading.
- Make the Crust:
- Grind your Oreo cookies and Nutter Butter cookies separately in a blender or food processor pulse until they look like fine damp sand. In two separate bowls mix the cookie crumbs each with three tablespoons of melted salted butter stir until the mixture feels like wet sand and holds together when pressed. Pour spoonfuls of each crumb mixture into a pie plate alternating between chocolate and peanut butter crumbs press them in firmly with the bottom of a measuring cup working up the sides to form a sturdy base chill in freezer to set.
- Make the Filling:
- In a large mixing bowl beat the creamy peanut butter whipped cream cheese and powdered sugar with a hand mixer until the mix looks very smooth and uniform there should be no lumps. Fold in the thawed Cool Whip with a spatula use gentle strokes to keep the filling airy and light avoid overmixing or your filling will lose its fluffiness.
- Assemble the Pie:
- Spread the peanut butter filling evenly into the chilled crust smoothing with a spatula all the way to the edges for a perfectly level base. Pour the ganache over the peanut butter filling and use a spatula or the back of a spoon to gently spread it out to the edges for a glossy covering. Sprinkle chopped Reese’s peanut butter cups over the ganache while still soft to help them stick arrange for a pretty finish. Chill the pie in the fridge for at least three hours this step helps the flavors blend and the chocolate set up perfectly.
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Whenever I reach for that first slice I always make sure to get an edge lined with both Oreos and Nutter Butters for that perfect balance of crunchy chocolate and peanut butter. My kids love helping sprinkle the Reese’s cups on top and sometimes sneak a few to snack on the side. This pie has a way of turning dessert into a celebration.
Storage Tips
Keep leftover pie covered and chilled in the fridge where it will stay fresh for about four days. If you want to save some for later wrap slices tightly and freeze for up to two months. I always recommend letting it sit at room temperature for ten minutes before serving so every bite is perfectly creamy.
Ingredient Substitutions
If you cannot find Nutter Butters try using graham crackers mixed with a scoop of peanut butter. Use dark chocolate chips for the ganache if you prefer a more intense chocolate taste or swap Cool Whip with homemade whipped cream. Gluten-free chocolate cookies work well for an allergy-friendly version.
Serving Suggestions
This pie tastes incredible on its own but you can make it stand out with a drizzle of melted chocolate or peanut butter right before slicing. For extra flair add a dollop of whipped cream and a few more chopped Reese’s cups or even mini chocolate chips. For the best results slice with a hot chef’s knife and wipe between each cut.
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Cultural or Historical Context
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups have been a beloved American candy since the 1920s so this pie is really a tribute to that classic combination. Turning favorite childhood treats into a giant pie always gets a nostalgic cheer from everyone. It feels like a playful and over-the-top dessert that brings old memories alongside new celebrations.
Recipe FAQs
- → What type of cookies are used for the crust?
The crust is made by blending Oreo and Nutter Butter cookies to achieve a crunchy, chocolate-peanut butter base.
- → How is the chocolate ganache prepared?
Chocolate chips are melted with hot heavy cream until smooth and glossy, then cooled slightly before spreading.
- → Can this dessert be made ahead of time?
Yes, chilling for at least 3 hours allows the flavors to blend and the ganache to set perfectly before serving.
- → What is the best way to slice this dessert?
Dipping a sharp knife in hot water and wiping it dry helps achieve clean slices through the creamy and ganache layers.
- → Are there serving suggestions to enhance flavor?
Drizzling melted peanut butter or chocolate and adding a dollop of whipped cream adds elegance and extra richness.