If you have a serious sweet tooth and a love for the classic combo of peanut butter and chocolate, you are going to fall head over heels for this Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Cups Recipe. These little delights are creamy, crunchy, and bursting with flavor in every bite. Imagine a smooth peanut butter filling nestled in a crunchy graham cracker crust, topped with a luscious chocolate ganache that melts in your mouth. Perfect for parties, special occasions, or just a cozy night in, this recipe brings together simple ingredients in a way that feels indulgent but is surprisingly easy to make. Trust me, once you try these pie cups, they’ll quickly become a beloved staple in your dessert repertoire.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of this Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Cups Recipe lies in its straightforward, pantry-friendly ingredients. Each one plays a key role in creating the perfect balance of texture and taste, from the crunchy crust to the creamy filling and rich topping.
- Graham cracker crumbs: Provide a buttery, slightly sweet base with just the right amount of crunch.
- Butter (melted): Binds the graham cracker crumbs together and adds richness to the crust.
- Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps create a sturdy crust texture.
- Cream cheese (softened): Brings creamy tang and helps achieve the perfect smooth filling.
- Heavy cream: Adds lightness and fluffiness to the filling and richness to the ganache.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the filling without adding grit, ensuring a silky finish.
- Smooth peanut butter: The star flavor that makes these pie cups irresistibly nutty and creamy.
- Vanilla: Enhances all the flavors and adds a warm, fragrant touch.
- Chocolate almond bark: Creates a smooth and glossy ganache topping that’s easy to spread.
- Mini chocolate chips: Adds a bit of texture and extra chocolate bursts on top.
- HEATH – Bit’s o’ brickle – toffee bits: Introduces a crunchy, buttery toffee surprise that complements the chocolate and peanut butter beautifully.
- Chopped peanuts (optional): For those who love an extra nutty crunch on top.
How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Cups Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Crust
Start by lining a 12-count muffin tin with cupcake liners. Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and mix in the graham cracker crumbs and sugar until everything is evenly coated. Then, scoop a heaping tablespoon of this mixture into each liner, pressing firmly to create an even, compact base. The crust is your crunchy foundation, so make sure it’s well packed! Pop the tin into the freezer to chill while you prepare the filling.
Step 2: Mix the Peanut Butter Filling
In a stand mixer, beat the softened cream cheese until creamy and smooth. Slowly add heavy cream and mix on low to combine everything evenly. Then blend in the smooth peanut butter and vanilla, folding them lovingly into the mixture. Gradually add the powdered sugar while mixing on medium speed to reach a perfect balance of sweet and silky. Add a few extra drops of cream if needed to keep the filling light and fluffy. This is the luscious core of your pie cups—the peanut butter flavor shines bright here.
Step 3: Assemble and Freeze the Filling
Remove the muffin tin from the freezer and fill each cupcake liner about three-quarters full with your peanut butter filling. Return the tray to the freezer for at least four hours or, better yet, overnight to ensure the filling sets perfectly. This patience pays off with a sturdy yet creamy texture that melts in your mouth.
Step 4: Prepare the Chocolate Ganache Topping
Once your peanut butter filling is firm, melt the chocolate almond bark together with 1/2 cup of heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl, stirring every 15 seconds until completely smooth and glossy. Spoon a generous layer of this ganache over each pie cup. Don’t forget to sprinkle mini chocolate chips and Heath toffee bits on top for that irresistible crunch and sparkle!
Step 5: Final Chill and Serve
Place the completed pie cups back in the freezer for at least two more hours or overnight for the best texture and flavor melding. When it’s time to serve, simply peel away the cupcake liners and present these little beauties on your favorite dessert plates. Get ready for raving reviews!
How to Serve Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Cups Recipe
Garnishes
These pie cups are already show-stoppers, but a few simple garnishes can elevate them even further. Try topping each cup with extra chopped peanuts, a light drizzle of caramel, or a sprinkle of sea salt to contrast the sweetness. Fresh berries on the side can add a pop of color and a pleasant tart flavor that cuts through the richness.
Side Dishes
Serve these pie cups alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a classic pairing or with a hot cup of coffee or milk to balance their richness perfectly. They also go beautifully with fresh fruit salad or a dollop of whipped cream lightly flavored with cinnamon or espresso powder for a sophisticated touch.
Creative Ways to Present
For parties, arrange the pie cups on a tiered dessert stand adorned with edible flowers or sprinkle cocoa powder over the top plate for that extra wow factor. You can also serve them in elegant mini dessert bowls instead of cupcake liners for a refined presentation that feels right at home in any gathering.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have any leftovers (and you might!), store the pie cups in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to three days. The cooler environment keeps the filling firm but smooth, and the crust stays crunchy for that satisfying texture every time you bite in.
Freezing
These pie cups freeze exceptionally well. Keep them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag for up to two months. When you want to enjoy them later, just thaw in the refrigerator overnight. This way, you can prepare a batch ahead and always have a delightful dessert on hand.
Reheating
Since these treats are best served chilled, reheating isn’t recommended. However, if you prefer a softer texture, let them sit at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. This gentle warming enhances the creaminess without compromising the crunch of the crust or the smoothness of the ganache.
FAQs
Can I use crunchy peanut butter instead of smooth?
You can, but smooth peanut butter is recommended for this recipe to keep the filling silky and consistent. Using crunchy peanut butter will add texture, which some may enjoy, but it might slightly affect the creaminess of the pie cups.
Do I need a stand mixer to make the filling?
A stand mixer makes it easier and ensures a perfectly smooth filling, but you can also use a hand mixer or mix vigorously by hand if needed. The key is to get the cream cheese whipped to a fluffy texture before adding other ingredients.
What can I substitute for chocolate almond bark?
If you don’t have almond bark, you can use good-quality chocolate chips or baking chocolate instead. Just be sure to add a little heavy cream when melting to achieve that silky ganache consistency classic to this recipe.
Can I make these without the crust?
While the graham cracker crust adds essential texture and flavor contrast, you could try serving the peanut butter filling in mini dessert cups topped with ganache as a crustless alternative. Just keep in mind it will be a different experience without that crunchy base.
Are these pie cups gluten-free?
Traditional graham cracker crumbs contain gluten, so these aren’t gluten-free as written. However, you can substitute gluten-free graham cracker crumbs or crushed gluten-free cookies to make this recipe suitable for gluten-sensitive guests.
Final Thoughts
I genuinely hope you give this Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Cups Recipe a try because it’s one of those desserts that feels special yet is totally doable at home. It’s a perfect harmony of flavors and textures that will delight your taste buds and impress your guests every time. Whether for a celebration or a simple indulgence, these pie cups bring joy in every bite and will quickly become a favorite in your dessert lineup.
Print
Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Cups Recipe
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes (including freezing time)
- Yield: 12 pie cups
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
Decadent and creamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Cups featuring a crunchy graham cracker crust, smooth peanut butter cream filling, and rich chocolate ganache topping. Perfectly portioned as individual desserts, these no-bake pie cups are ideal for parties or an indulgent treat.
Ingredients
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 2 Tablespoons butter (melted)
- 1 Tablespoon sugar
Filling
- 8 ounces cream cheese (softened)
- 1 cup heavy cream (plus a few drops extra)
- 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup smooth peanut butter
- 1 Tablespoon vanilla extract
Chocolate Ganache Topping
- 3 squares chocolate almond bark
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- Mini chocolate chips (for garnish)
- HEATH – Bit’s o’ brickle toffee bits (for garnish)
- Chopped peanuts (optional garnish)
Instructions
- Prepare Crust: Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake liners. Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Remove from microwave and stir in graham cracker crumbs and sugar until well coated.
- Form Crusts: Place a heaping tablespoon of the crust mixture into each cupcake liner. Press down evenly using your fingers and the back of a spoon to create an even crust layer. Freeze the muffin tin to set.
- Make Filling: In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat softened cream cheese until smooth and creamy. Slowly blend in 1 cup heavy cream on low speed until fully incorporated.
- Incorporate Peanut Butter and Vanilla: Add smooth peanut butter and vanilla extract to the cream cheese mixture and blend thoroughly.
- Add Powdered Sugar: Gradually add 1 1/4 cups powdered sugar, mixing on medium speed until fully combined and creamy.
- Adjust Consistency: Add a few drops of additional heavy cream and mix to smooth the filling further.
- Fill Pie Cups: Remove muffin tin from freezer. Fill each cupcake liner about three-quarters full with the peanut butter filling. Return to freezer for at least 4 hours or overnight to firm.
- Prepare Chocolate Ganache: When filling is fully set, melt chocolate almond bark with 1/2 cup heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 30 seconds, stir after 15 seconds, and repeat until completely melted and smooth.
- Top Pie Cups: Spoon the chocolate ganache evenly over the peanut butter filling in each pie cup.
- Garnish: Sprinkle mini chocolate chips and Heath Toffee bits on top. Optionally, add chopped peanuts for extra crunch.
- Final Freeze: Return the assembled pie cups to the freezer for at least 2 hours or overnight for best texture and flavor.
- Serve: Remove mini pies from the muffin tin, peel off cupcake liners, and plate the pie cups for serving. Enjoy your luscious Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie Cups!
Notes
- For best results, allow the pie cups to freeze overnight before serving.
- You can substitute smooth peanut butter with natural peanut butter if preferred, but expect a slightly different texture.
- The almond bark can be replaced with high-quality chocolate chips or chunks.
- Make sure cream cheese is softened to room temperature for easier mixing and smoother texture.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the freezer for up to one week.
- If you don’t have a stand mixer, a hand mixer or vigorous whisking can be used to blend the filling.
