Of all my variations on peanut butter pie, I think this one is my favorite. It’s full of flavor and has a wonderful marriage of textures.

Peanut Butter Cream Pie

Drizzle the melted peanut butter over the top of the prepared pie. (Stacey Little / Southern Bite)

Prep time: 25 minutes

Chill time: 4 hours

Serves: 8

Ingredients

For the crust:

• 26 Nutter Butter peanut butter cookies
• 1/2 cup cocktail peanuts
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted

For the filling:

• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1 cup plus 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter, divided
• 1 cup plus 3 tablespoons heavy whipping cream, divided
• 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Instructions

1. Add the cookies, peanuts and salt to the bowl of a food processor fitted with the chopping blade. Pulse until the cookies are crushed and peanuts have been chopped into small pieces.
2. Add the crushed mixture to a large bowl and drizzle the melted butter over the top. Stir to coat all the crumbs in butter.
3. Pour the crust mixture into a 9-inch deep-dish pie dish.
4. Press firmly with fingers or the bottom of a small measuring cup to form the crust in the bottom and up the sides of the dish. The crust will be thick.
5. Refrigerate to allow the crust to firm up.
6. In a medium bowl, use a mixer to beat the cream cheese until smooth.
7. Add the peanut butter and 3 tablespoons of heavy cream and mix until smooth. Set aside.
8. In a large bowl, use a mixer to beat 1 cup of heavy cream until frothy.
9. Gradually add the powdered sugar and mix until very soft peaks begin to form.
10. Add the peanut butter mixture to the beaten cream in three batches, mixing well after each addition. Mix until stiff peaks form.
11. Spread the mixture into the prepared crust.
12. In a small bowl, melt about 2 tablespoons of peanut butter in the microwave until pourable.
13. Drizzle the melted peanut butter over the top of the prepared pie.
14. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours to allow the pie to firm up. Store covered in the refrigerator.
15. Serve chilled, topped with additional sweetened whipped cream if desired.

This recipe originally appeared on SouthernBite.com. For more great recipes, visit the website or check out ”The Southern Bite Cookbook.”