Beat the Heat Without Breaking a Sweat

In New York State, the month of August is typically the hottest month of the year.  As we finally reach the tail end of the second heatwave of the summer our mind wanders to frozen treats that refresh, don’t come on a stick, and that you’d be proud to serve to guests.  Which brings me to a much-requested favorite, the Ice Box Peanut Butter Pie.

A special surprise of honey roasted peanuts awaits you at the tippy top of the Ice Box Peanut Butter Pie!

Like Peanut Butter?  Then You’ll Love This Pie!

Smooth, silky and peanut-buttery filling is complimented by a light and savory graham cracker crust.  Because the pie is rich yet light it works well with any hot summer night dinner, from a fresh chopped salad to a backyard BBQ with lots of meats.

Best of all, because your Ice Box Peanut Butter Pie needs at least two hours to set you can make it in the morning or even the night before.  Make it, pop it in the fridge, and forget about it until you’re ready to dig in.

I was only able to take a couple of pictures before half the pie was gone.

Pssst… Here’s a Secret

If you want to make the Ice Box Peanut Butter Pie truly, 100% no-bake, buy yourself a graham cracker crust at the grocery store.  The downside is you’ll be serving your pie in a ready-made pie tin but, on the upside, you’ll save yourself some time and won’t heat up your kitchen at all.

And you know what else?  Technically you could use Cool Whip instead of fresh cream, making the pie even easier to make.  But don’t tell anyone I told you 🙂

The Ice Box Peanut Butter Pie is easy to make and comes out looking as pretty as a picture!

ICE BOX PEANUT BUTTER PIE – THE RECIPE

Ingredients

9  full sheets of graham crackers, broken into 1″ pieces
3 Tablespoons packed light brown sugar
5 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/2 cup honey-roasted peanuts, chopped
3/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
3/4 cup creamy peanut butter
1 3/4 cups heavy cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Step 1

Position oven rack to middle and heat oven to 325 degrees. Grease a 9″ pie plate. In a food processor, process graham crackers and brown sugar until finely ground, about 30 seconds. Add melted butter and pulse until combined, about 8 pulses.

Step 2

Spoon mixture into prepared pie plate. Using the bottom of an empty glass or dry measuring cup, press the crumbs into the bottom and up the sides of the pie plate until smooth and even. Place in oven and bake about 12-14 minutes, until shell is fragrant and beginning to brown. Place on wire rack until completely cooled, about 30 minutes. Spread 1/2 cup peanuts even over bottom of cooled crust and set aside.

Step 3

Using a whisk attachment for your hand held or standing mixer, mix 3/4 cup confections’ sugar, peanut butter, cream cheese, and 3 Tablespoons cream on low speed until combined, about 1 minutes. Increase speed to medium-high and whip until fluffy, about 1 minute. Transfer mixture to a large bowl and set aside.

Step 4

Clean your mixing bowl whisk attachment, then whip 3/4 cup cream on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase speed to high and whip until stiff peaks form, about 1-3 minutes (keep a close eye so you don’t overmix and turn the cream into butter). In two additions, gently fold whipped cream into peanut butter mixture until no white streaks remain. Transfer filling into crust and smooth into an even layer.

Step 5

Clean bowl and whisk again, and whip vanilla, remaining cream, and remaining 2 Tablespoons confectioners’ sugar on medium-low speed until foamy, about 1 minute. Increase speed to high and whip until stiff peaks form, about 1-3 minutes (again keeping a close eye so you don’t overwhip). Spoon whipped cream over top of pie filling. Refrigerate until set, at least 2 hours. When ready to serve sprinkle with remaining peanuts.

Please tell us what you think. We really want to know!

Tell us what you think!

Please comment below if you try the Ice Box Peanut Butter Pie recipe and let us know how it goes!  Find all of Brooklyn to the Catskills‘ recipes in the Food section of our website.  We’d love to hear what you think about our other recipes too!