This Peanut Butter Caramel Pie is a heavenly indulgence for anyone with a sweet tooth. It combines the smooth, creamy richness of caramel with the nutty goodness of peanut butter, all nestled in a crispy Oreo cookie crust. Topped with a layer of luscious chocolate ganache and a sprinkle of crunchy peanuts, every bite is pure bliss.
The recipe is surprisingly simple, making it perfect for home bakers looking to impress. The caramel filling is made with condensed milk, giving it a soft-set texture that cuts cleanly and melts in your mouth. Whether you’re preparing for a special occasion or just craving a decadent dessert, this pie is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.
Full Recipe:
- 274g (9.5 oz) Oreo cookies (2 packs/rows)
- 60g (4 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted
- Pinch of salt
Peanut Butter Caramel Filling:
- 100g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup (110g) packed brown sugar
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk (395g/14oz)
- 1/4 cup (65ml) cream (full-fat)
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup (280g) smooth peanut butter
Topping:
- 1/3 cup (85ml) heavy cream
- 150g (5 oz) milk chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
Directions:
- Preheat oven to 160°C (325°F) and grease a 23cm (9-inch) tart tin with a loose base or pie dish.
- Crush Oreo cookies in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Add melted butter and mix until the crumbs resemble wet sand. Press into the base and sides of the tart tin.
- In a saucepan, melt butter over medium heat, then add brown sugar and stir until the sugar is melted. Remove from heat.
- Stir in condensed milk and cream, then add peanut butter and salt. Mix until smooth. Pour the filling into the crust.
- Bake for 12 minutes until the surface develops a wrinkly skin. Let it cool for 20 minutes.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt cream and chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
- Pour chocolate over the cooled caramel layer, allow to set slightly, then sprinkle chopped peanuts on top.
- Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
Prep Time: 20 minutes | Cooking Time: 12 minutes | Total Time: 2 hours 32 minutes
Kcal: 583 kcal | Servings: 12 servings
Peanut Butter Caramel Pie: A Decadent Dessert for All Occasions
When it comes to indulgent desserts, few can match the luscious combination of peanut butter, caramel, and chocolate. This Peanut Butter Caramel Pie is the epitome of decadence, with its creamy, rich filling nestled in a crunchy Oreo cookie crust, topped off with a smooth layer of chocolate ganache. It’s a dessert that screams comfort and luxury, making it a showstopper for special occasions, family gatherings, or just because you’re craving something sweet.
The Inspiration Behind the Pie
The idea for this pie is inspired by the iconic flavors found in a Snickers bar – peanut butter, caramel, and chocolate – but presented in a more sophisticated, homemade format. Peanut butter desserts are beloved for their savory-sweet flavor, and caramel has an unmatched richness that balances the nuttiness. Together, they create a marriage of flavors that’s familiar yet indulgent, satisfying even the most intense sweet tooth.
While the pie has roots in traditional caramel and peanut butter desserts, it stands out with its use of condensed milk-based caramel. This technique not only simplifies the process but also delivers a softer, creamier filling that slices beautifully and has a melt-in-your-mouth texture. It’s a tried-and-true method often used in caramel slices and tarts, and here, it’s made even better with the addition of peanut butter.
Why This Pie is Perfect for Peanut Butter Lovers
There’s no shortage of peanut butter dessert recipes, but this one truly takes the cake (or pie, in this case). Peanut butter’s distinctively savory richness cuts through the sweetness of the caramel, creating a balanced flavor that doesn’t overwhelm the palate. Plus, the combination of textures – a crispy cookie crust, a soft caramel filling, and a velvety chocolate topping – makes every bite an experience.
Here are a few reasons why this pie is a peanut butter lover’s dream:
- Rich and creamy filling: The peanut butter caramel filling is smooth and velvety, with a depth of flavor that only peanut butter can provide. It’s creamy without being too heavy, and the addition of caramel enhances its sweetness in the most delightful way.
- Perfect texture balance: From the crunchy Oreo cookie crust to the soft-set caramel filling and the slightly firm chocolate topping, each layer of the pie brings a different texture, making every forkful a pleasure.
- Versatile toppings: While the traditional recipe calls for milk chocolate and chopped peanuts as a topping, you can easily switch things up. Dark chocolate offers a richer contrast to the peanut butter, while whipped cream provides a lighter finish if you prefer. For those who want to go all out, a sprinkle of sea salt on top can add an extra layer of flavor.
The Oreo Cookie Crust: The Perfect Base
A major component of what makes this pie so satisfying is the Oreo cookie crust. The crust serves as the foundation, holding the creamy peanut butter caramel filling while providing a textural contrast. Made simply with crushed Oreo cookies and melted butter, this crust is both easy to make and delightfully crunchy.
The Oreo cookie crust works wonderfully because:
- It’s easy and quick to prepare: You don’t need to be an experienced baker to nail this crust. Crushing the cookies and mixing them with melted butter is all it takes. The crust then bakes for a few minutes to set, creating a sturdy base for the rich filling.
- It adds a chocolate element to the pie: While the star flavors of the pie are peanut butter and caramel, the dark chocolate flavor from the Oreo cookies gives an extra layer of indulgence, perfectly complementing the other ingredients.
- It holds up well: Once chilled, the crust remains firm and crisp, providing the perfect contrast to the soft, creamy filling.
Peanut Butter Caramel Filling: The Star of the Show
The real magic of this pie lies in its peanut butter caramel filling. Unlike traditional peanut butter pies, which often use cream cheese or whipped cream, this recipe uses condensed milk to create a caramel base that’s mixed with smooth peanut butter. The result is a soft-set caramel filling that holds its shape but remains luscious and creamy.
- Condensed milk for easy caramel: Condensed milk is a game-changer for caramel lovers who don’t want to fuss with candy thermometers or risk burning sugar. When combined with butter and brown sugar, it creates a rich caramel that sets to the perfect consistency after a short time in the oven.
- Peanut butter for flavor and texture: Peanut butter not only gives the filling its nutty flavor but also adds to its creamy texture. Whether you use smooth or crunchy peanut butter is up to you – both work beautifully, though smooth peanut butter creates a more uniform texture.
- A hint of salt: Adding a pinch of salt to the filling enhances the caramel and peanut butter flavors, preventing the pie from becoming overly sweet. It’s a small but crucial addition that makes the pie irresistibly balanced.
Chocolate Ganache Topping: The Finishing Touch
To round out this dessert, a layer of milk chocolate ganache is spread over the top of the peanut butter caramel filling. Ganache is a simple mixture of chocolate and cream, and in this recipe, it’s kept light by using milk chocolate instead of dark. The milk chocolate brings a creamier, sweeter finish that contrasts beautifully with the darker Oreo crust and the peanut butter caramel.
- Smooth and shiny: The ganache creates a beautiful, glossy finish that makes the pie look as good as it tastes. It sets to a soft consistency, which makes slicing into the pie a dream.
- Customizable topping options: While the recipe calls for milk chocolate, you can swap in dark chocolate for a more intense flavor. You can also use whipped cream instead of ganache if you prefer a lighter topping. For a bit of crunch, chopped peanuts are sprinkled on top of the ganache, but you could also add other toppings like crushed pretzels or even a drizzle of caramel sauce.
Conclusion: A Crowd-Pleaser Dessert You’ll Want to Share
This Peanut Butter Caramel Pie is more than just a dessert – it’s an experience. The combination of the crispy Oreo crust, the creamy peanut butter caramel filling, and the velvety chocolate topping makes it a dessert that’s both rich and satisfying without being overly complicated.
While it’s easy to fall into the temptation of keeping this pie all to yourself, it’s a dessert that truly shines when shared with others. Whether you’re serving it at a holiday gathering, a potluck, or just as a special treat for your family, this pie is bound to impress. Its indulgent flavors and satisfying textures make it a dessert that people will talk about long after the last slice is gone.
In conclusion, the Peanut Butter Caramel Pie is the ultimate comfort dessert for peanut butter and caramel lovers alike. It combines ease of preparation with the richness of a gourmet dessert, making it accessible to both experienced and novice bakers. With its perfect balance of sweet and salty, creamy and crunchy, it’s a dessert you’ll come back to time and time again.