Peanut Butter Meringue Pie
A creamy no-bake peanut butter filling is piled high with fluffy meringue in this dreamy Peanut Butter Meringue Pie.
My favorite recipes are ones that can be reinvented for any season, any craving, any occasion or whim. This Peanut Butter Pie is one of those recipes. Stripped down, this is a pretty basic peanut butter pie.
It starts with a thick, buttery graham cracker crust topped with a no-bake cream cheese and peanut butter filling. The filling on it’s own is divine licked straight off the spatula or (if you’re more refined than the likes of me) as a dip for apples (akin to our Amish Peanut Butter Spread recipe).
But this pie is far more than basic. It can be served as is after chilling in the fridge, or it can be served frozen in the summer months. It can be loaded with peanuts and chocolate or caramel or peanut butter cups or whipped cream.
This time of year, with the holidays quickly approaching, I’m looking to up my game in the dessert department. I want something elegant and lovely, something worthy of any Thanksgiving table.
That’s where the meringue comes in. Meringue is one of those deceptively easy recipes that instantly increases the wow factor.
I’m always so mesmerized by the process of making meringue. If you’ve never done it before, you should try it, just for the experience. With the help of an electric mixer and a few minutes, four tiny egg whites billow up into mounds of fluffy, slightly sweet meringue.
I’m astounded every time that such a small, silly thing like egg whites can become such a glorious treat. It’s like covering your pie with a soft, puffy, pillow of marshmallows. Just perfect.
The Mr. raved about this pie, telling me it reminded him of a dessert version of a Fluffernutter. Because of the graham cracker crust and marshmallowy meringue, this pie also has a definite s’mores feel to it. Add a drizzle of chocolate at the end and you’d be absolutely in business.
A few notes about the process. You’ll need to make and chill the crust and filling for this pie before doing the meringue. The filled pie can be frozen for a few weeks in advance if you’d like to get a jumpstart on your holiday baking.
Then, when you’re ready, let the pie thaw in the fridge overnight, top with the meringue, and run under a broiler for a few minutes or toast with a butane torch if you have one.
Like most meringue pies, this is really best served fresh, but you can refrigerate it with the meringue for a day if needed. Either way, this would be stunning on your holiday tables and a definite hit with kids AND adults!
Peanut Butter Meringue Pie
Ingredients
For the crust:
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs (about 10 full sheets)
- 6 Tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/3 cup granulated sugar
For the filling:
- 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 (8 ounce) container whipped topping, thawed
For the meringue:
- 4 egg whites
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
- 1/4 cup sugar
Instructions
For the crust:
- Combine the graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar in a large bowl. Stir until mixture starts to adhere to itself. Firmly press the mixture onto the bottom and sides of a 9 inch pie plate. Refrigerate for at least an hour or cover and refrigerate overnight.
For the filling:
- Beat together the cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and beat on low speed until most of the powdered sugar is incorporated, then increase the speed to high and beat until smooth. Fold in the whipped topping. Pour the filling ingredients into the prepared pie crust. At this point, the pie can be covered and refrigerated overnight or frozen until ready to serve.
For the meringue:
- Add the egg whites and cream of tartar to the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Beat on medium speed until mixture is foamy. Add the sugar, a little bit at a time, and continue beating on high speed until stiff, glossy peaks form. This could take only a few minutes or seven or eight minutes. It's always different for me.
To assemble:
- Dollop the meringue over the chilled filling, making sure to go all the way to the edges. Use a spoon to swirl it until you have the look you want. Place the pie under a low broiler for 3-4 minutes or until peaks are golden brown. Serve immediately or cover loosely (I use toothpicks in the meringue to keep the saran wrap from sticking) and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
Notes
Don't throw away your leftover egg yolks. Save them for use in one of these 50 egg yolks recipes!
Can’t get enough pie? Don’t let the crust be your downfall! A delicious homemade crust can be simple with my homemade buttermilk pie crust recipe.
More Great Peanut Butter Recipes
- First, you need to try my Soft and Chewy Peanut Butter Cookies. They’re a great home base for most any peanut butter cookie fan.
- Then try adding a flavor with these Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies with Jam… or if PB&J isn’t your thing, do chocolate instead with these Peanut Butter Chocolate Thumbprint Cookies with sea salt.
- Peanut butter fanatics will LOVE these Reese’s Peanut Butter Cookies with Chocolate Chips!
- But if you want more chocolate, then try these No Bake Peanut Butter Bars for a quick easy dessert.
- Add oats to the mix, and you can have either these Peanut Butter Banana Oatmeal Creme Pies, or bake up some Monster Cookies!
- The Original Monster Cookies with M&Ms are always a classic
- But these Monster Cookie Bars fit better into lunch boxes and serve-up well at parties
- And for some festive flare, you can even make these Chocolate Christmas Monster Cookies!
- The same flavors make up some great Chocolate Peanut Butter Puppy Chow for a perfect portable party snack.
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