Get ready to rediscover your favorite childhood combination in a dessert that will delight everyone. This Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie recipe transforms the classic sandwich into a rich, creamy, and utterly irresistible treat. It’s the perfect blend of sweet and salty, with a velvety peanut butter filling and swirls of sweet jelly, all nestled in a buttery graham cracker crust.
Whether you’re making a dessert for a family gathering or just craving a comforting sweet, this pie is a guaranteed hit. It’s surprisingly easy to make and delivers a “wow” factor that feels both nostalgic and new.
Why You’ll Love This Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie Recipe
- Incredibly Creamy Filling: The heart of this pie is its smooth, no-bake peanut butter filling, which is light, airy, and packed with flavor.
- Perfectly Balanced Flavors: We balance the richness of the peanut butter with the bright sweetness of strawberry jelly for that classic PB&J taste.
- Easy to Prepare: With a simple graham cracker crust and a no-bake filling, this recipe is perfect for cooks of all skill levels. No oven required for the filling!
- Crowd-Pleasing Dessert: It’s a unique and memorable dessert that appeals to both kids and adults alike. For another crowd-pleaser, check out this Giant Chocolate Chip Cookie Cake.
The Key Ingredients for a Perfect PB&J Pie
This recipe uses simple, easy-to-find ingredients to create a truly spectacular dessert. Here’s what you’ll need.
For the Graham Cracker Crust
- Graham Cracker Crumbs: The classic, slightly sweet base for our pie.
- Granulated Sugar: Adds a touch of sweetness and helps bind the crust.
- Melted Butter: Brings everything together and creates a firm, buttery crust.
For the Creamy Peanut Butter Filling
- Cream Cheese: Use full-fat, block-style cream cheese, softened to room temperature for a smooth, lump-free filling.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: A good quality, creamy peanut butter is essential for the best flavor and texture. Avoid natural peanut butters that can separate.
- Powdered Sugar: It dissolves easily, ensuring the filling is perfectly smooth and sweet.
- Heavy Whipping Cream: Whipped to stiff peaks, it makes the filling light, airy, and decadent.
For the Jelly Swirl
- Strawberry or Grape Jelly: Use your favorite! A seedless variety will give you the smoothest swirls.
How to Make Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie Step-by-Step
Making this pie is a straightforward process. Follow these steps for dessert perfection.
- Prepare the Crust: In a medium bowl, mix the graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar. Pour in the melted butter and stir until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Bake at 350°F (175°C) for 10 minutes to set. Let it cool completely.
- Make the Peanut Butter Filling: In a large bowl, use an electric mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and creamy peanut butter until smooth and well combined. Gradually add the powdered sugar and beat until it’s fully incorporated.
- Whip the Cream: In a separate, chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Be careful not to over-whip.
- Combine the Filling: Gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture in two additions. Mix until just combined and no white streaks remain. This keeps the filling light and airy.
- Assemble the Pie: Spread half of the peanut butter filling into the cooled graham cracker crust. Dollop half of the jelly over the filling. Use a knife to gently swirl the jelly into the peanut butter. Top with the remaining filling, spreading it evenly.
- Add the Final Swirl: Warm the remaining jelly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds to make it easier to drizzle. Dollop it over the top of the pie and use a toothpick or knife to create a decorative swirl pattern.
- Chill and Set: Refrigerate the pie for at least 6 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow it to set completely. This step is crucial for clean slices.
Pro Tips for Recipe Success
- Cool the Crust Completely: Ensure your graham cracker crust is fully cooled before adding the filling to prevent it from becoming soggy.
- Use Room Temperature Cream Cheese: This is the key to a lump-free, ultra-smooth peanut butter filling.
- Don’t Overmix the Whipped Cream: Fold the whipped cream in gently to maintain the light and airy texture of the filling.
- Chill Thoroughly: Don’t rush the chilling time! A well-chilled pie will slice beautifully and hold its shape. If you enjoy creamy desserts, you might also love this Creamy Chicken Parmesan Soup for a savory option.
Fun Variations to Try
While the classic is hard to beat, this Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie is fun to customize!
- Chocolate Crust: Substitute the graham crackers with chocolate wafer cookies for a decadent twist. Speaking of chocolate, our Chocolate Peanut Butter Poke Cake is another must-try.
- Different Jellies: Try raspberry, blackberry, or even orange marmalade for a different flavor profile.
- Crunchy Topping: Sprinkle chopped peanuts, mini chocolate chips, or crushed graham crackers on top before chilling for added texture.
- Pretzel Crust: For a more pronounced sweet and salty flavor, use crushed pretzels instead of graham crackers for the crust.
Storing Your Peanut Butter Pie
Cover the pie loosely with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator for up to 4 days. The flavors will meld and deepen over time, making it even more delicious on the second day. You can also freeze individual slices for up to a month. Just thaw in the refrigerator for a few hours before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! This pie is perfect for making ahead. It needs at least 6 hours to set, but it’s even better if made the day before you plan to serve it. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
Of course! While strawberry and grape are classic choices, this pie is delicious with raspberry jam, blackberry preserves, or even orange marmalade for a unique flavor combination.
Yes, you can definitely use a 9-inch store-bought graham cracker crust to save time. Simply skip the crust-making steps and proceed with the filling.
Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator. It will stay fresh for up to 4 days. You can also freeze individual slices wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to one month.
A standard creamy peanut butter like Jif or Skippy works best for this recipe. Natural peanut butters that can separate may alter the texture of the filling, making it grainy or oily.
The Ultimate Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie Recipe
Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie: The Ultimate Nostalgic Treat
Ingredients
Equipment
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). In a medium bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs and granulated sugar. Pour in the melted butter and stir with a fork until all the crumbs are moistened.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom and up the sides of a 9-inch pie dish. Bake for 10 minutes to set the crust. Remove from the oven and let it cool completely on a wire rack.
- In a large bowl, use an electric hand mixer or a stand mixer to beat the softened cream cheese and creamy peanut butter on medium speed until smooth and creamy.
- Add the powdered sugar to the peanut butter mixture and beat on low speed until incorporated, then increase to medium speed and beat until smooth.
- In a separate chilled bowl, whip the cold heavy cream on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold about half of the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture until just combined. Fold in the remaining whipped cream until no white streaks remain. Be careful not to overmix.
- Spread half of the peanut butter filling evenly into the cooled crust. Dollop half of the jelly over the filling. Use a knife to gently swirl it through.
- Top with the remaining peanut butter filling and smooth the top. Warm the remaining jelly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds. Drizzle it over the pie and use a toothpick to create a decorative swirl.
- Refrigerate the pie for at least 6 hours, or overnight, until firm. This is essential for the pie to set properly for clean slicing.
Notes
Tip 2: Ensure your cream cheese is truly at room temperature to avoid any lumps in your filling.
Tip 3: The pie must chill for the full 6 hours (or overnight) to set properly. Don't skip this step!
Share Your Creation!
We are confident this will become your new favorite Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie recipe. It’s a dessert that brings smiles and satisfies cravings. If you make it, please leave a comment below and share your creation with us on Pinterest!
