Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Pie is an indulgent no-bake dessert that combines a chocolate cookie crust, creamy peanut butter filling, and chunks of iconic candy for a rich, layered treat. Its appeal comes from the perfect balance of chocolate and peanut butter with a smooth, scoopable texture.
This pie is ideal for birthdays, holidays, or any occasion where a decadent dessert is desired without the need for an oven.
Flavor & Texture Profile
- Creamy filling: Smooth, slightly sweet peanut butter base
- Crunchy elements: Chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups
- Chocolate contrast: Cookie crust and optional ganache topping
- Light sweetness: Whipped topping balances richness
- Velvety consistency: Easy to slice and serve
Key Ingredient Spotlight
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups provide both texture and signature chocolate-peanut butter flavor, making them integral to the pie’s identity. Using miniature or chopped cups ensures even distribution.
Ingredients (Serves 8–10)
Crust
- 24 chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos), finely crushed
- 5 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 ½ cups whipped topping (Cool Whip or homemade)
- 8–10 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chopped
Topping (Optional)
- ½ cup chocolate chips or chocolate ganache
- Additional whipped topping
- Mini peanut butter cups for garnish
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the Crust
- Combine cookie crumbs with melted butter until evenly moistened.
- Press mixture into a 9-inch pie pan, forming an even layer on the bottom and sides.
- Chill in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes to set.
2. Make the Filling
- In a mixing bowl, beat peanut butter and cream cheese until smooth.
- Add powdered sugar and vanilla; mix until combined.
- Fold in whipped topping gently to maintain light texture.
- Stir in chopped Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups.
3. Assemble the Pie
- Spread the filling evenly into the prepared crust.
- Smooth the top with a spatula.
- Refrigerate at least 4 hours (overnight preferred) until firm.
4. Add Optional Topping
- Spread additional whipped topping over the chilled pie.
- Drizzle melted chocolate or ganache on top.
- Garnish with mini peanut butter cups if desired.
Professional Tips
- Drain Excess Moisture: Ensure whipped topping is firm or drained to prevent watery filling.
- Chill Properly: Minimum 4 hours ensures clean slices.
- Distribute Candy Evenly: Chop peanut butter cups into uniform pieces for balanced texture.
- Avoid Overmixing: Gently fold ingredients to keep the filling airy.
Variations
- Frozen Version: Freeze for 2–3 hours for an ice-cream-like texture.
- Chocolate Peanut Butter Swirl: Mix a small amount of melted chocolate into the filling before chilling.
- Mini Pie Cups: Use a muffin tin for individual servings.
- Keto-Friendly: Use almond flour crust and sugar substitute in the filling.
Storage
- Refrigerate up to 4 days
- Freeze up to 1 month (wrap tightly)
- Allow slight thaw before slicing if frozen
Nutritional Snapshot (Approximate per slice, 1/8 of pie)
- Calories: 450–500
- Protein: 8–10g
- Carbohydrates: 40–45g
- Fat: 30–35g
Serving Suggestions
- Pair with cold milk
- Serve with a drizzle of chocolate sauce
- Garnish with whipped cream for extra indulgence
- Ideal for dessert tables or parties
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Overfilling crust (makes slicing messy)
- Skipping chilling step
- Using soft peanut butter only (reduces structure)
- Not chopping peanut butter cups evenly
Final Assessment
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Pie is a decadent, crowd-pleasing dessert that balances creamy peanut butter with chocolate crunch. Its success depends on proper chilling, even candy distribution, and gentle folding to maintain lightness.
Print
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Pie
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1½ cups chocolate cookie crumbs (Oreos or gluten-free alternative)
- 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
For the filling:
- 8 oz (225g) cream cheese, softened
- ¾ cup creamy peanut butter (not natural/oily)
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 (8 oz) tub whipped topping (e.g., Cool Whip), thawed
- 10–12 Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, chopped
For the chocolate topping:
- ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 tbsp heavy cream or coconut milk
- Optional: flaky sea salt, extra mini Reese’s cups for garnish
Instructions
- Make crust: Mix cookie crumbs and melted butter. Press firmly into a 9″ pie plate. Chill 10 minutes.
- Make filling: Beat cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla until smooth. Fold in whipped topping and ¾ of the chopped Reese’s cups.
- Assemble: Spread filling into crust. Smooth top.
- Make ganache: Heat chocolate chips and cream in microwave (30-sec intervals) or saucepan until melted and smooth. Cool 2–3 minutes.
- Top: Pour ganache over filling. Sprinkle with remaining Reese’s and optional sea salt.
- Chill: Refrigerate at least 3 hours, or until set (best overnight).
💡 Pro Tips:
– Use regular peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy)—natural PB can make the filling oily.
– For dairy-free: Use dairy-free cream cheese, whipped topping, chocolate, and vegan butter.
– Serve with a drizzle of caramel or extra whipped cream!
Prep Time & Nutrition (per slice, serves 8):
Servings: 8 | Calories: 340 | Net Carbs: 26g | Fats: 24g | Protein: 7g