Gluten-free Deep Dish Peanut Butter Pie

Name: Deep Dish Peanut Butter Pie
Prep time: 1 h
Cook time: 5 min
Total time: 3 h 5 min
Ingredients: 5 c. gluten-free chocolate chex cereal, crushed (2 c. after crushing); 2 Tbsp. brown sugar; 6 Tbsp. butter, melted; 1/2 tsp. vanilla; 1 Tbsp. cocoa; 6 Tbsp. heavy cream; 2 Tbsp. honey; 1 1/2 Tbsp. butter; 6 oz. milk chocolate chips; 1, 8 oz. packet of cream cheese (room temp. and soft); 2 c. powdered sugar; 8 oz. cool whip (or whipped cream - see notes); 1 c. peanut butter; 1/2 tsp. vanilla

Desserts

Oct 12

Written By Kali Terry

When it comes to dessert, there’s nothing quite like the harmonious blend of chocolate and peanut butter. These two indulgent ingredients have formed the foundation of many beloved treats, from classic peanut butter cups to rich chocolate peanut butter cakes. But imagine the perfect balance of creamy, nutty peanut butter and velvety chocolate set in a deep dish, giving you a slice of heaven with every bite. That’s exactly what you get when you sink your spoon into this Gluten-Free Deep Dish Peanut Butter Pie.

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Chocolate and peanut butter is one of the greatest combinations known to man. When you combine those flavors into a pie form, it's just heavenly. It doesn't get much better than peanut butter pie. It's always a crowd-pleaser and leaves everyone requesting seconds.

Why This Gluten-Free Deep Dish Peanut Butter Pie is a Must-Try

This pie is more than just a dessert; it’s an experience. If you’re wondering what makes this gluten-free deep dish peanut butter pie so special, here’s a quick breakdown of what makes it stand out:

Gluten-Free and Delicious: The chocolate Chex crust offers a gluten-free option without compromising on taste or texture. It’s crunchy, sweet, and a perfect base for the layers above.
Layers of Decadence: From the smooth chocolate ganache to the rich, fluffy peanut butter filling, every layer adds a unique texture and flavor, making each bite a journey of indulgence.
Peanut Butter Heaven: The peanut butter filling, made with cream cheese and Cool Whip, is thick, creamy, and packed with that signature peanut butter flavor. It’s the ultimate treat for peanut butter lovers!
Balanced Sweetness and Saltiness: The salty-sweet combination of the peanut butter filling and the rich chocolate ganache creates the perfect balance of flavors, while the tang of the cream cheese keeps things interesting.
Peanut Butter Cup Topping: Chopped peanut butter cups sprinkled on top take the pie to the next level, adding extra chocolatey-peanut butter crunch and an irresistible candy-like texture.
Easy to Make, Impressive to Serve: With simple ingredients that come together effortlessly, this pie is the perfect showstopper for any occasion—whether you’re hosting a dinner party or just craving something sweet.
A Dessert Everyone Will Love: Whether you follow a gluten-free lifestyle or not, this pie is sure to please anyone with a love for rich, indulgent desserts. It’s a crowd-pleaser that’s both visually stunning and mouthwateringly delicious.

This decadent dessert features a chocolate Chex crust that is both gluten-free and incredibly crunchy. A smooth layer of rich chocolate ganache adds depth, while a thick, creamy peanut butter filling laced with cream cheese and Cool Whip offers a luxurious texture that’s utterly irresistible. To top it off, chopped peanut butter cups sprinkle even more chocolate and peanut butter goodness on top, making every bite a mouthwatering experience that you won’t soon forget.

A Gluten-Free Twist on Classic Dessert Crusts

For many dessert lovers, the crust is just as important as the filling itself. Traditional pie crusts can be challenging to perfect, especially for those who are gluten intolerant or following a gluten-free lifestyle. But fear not, because the gluten-free chocolate Chex crust in this pie is a game-changer.

Chex cereal has long been a favorite in gluten-free baking, thanks to its versatility and satisfying crunch. When crushed into crumbs, the cereal creates a base that’s both sturdy and delicate, offering just the right balance between crispiness and richness. Combined with a bit of butter (or a butter substitute for those with dairy sensitivities), the Chex crumbs form a simple yet flavorful crust that serves as the ideal foundation for the pie’s other layers.

Unlike traditional pie crusts, which can sometimes be dense or overly crumbly, the Chex crust offers a light, airy crunch that perfectly complements the rich, creamy filling. The subtle sweetness of the Chex also plays nicely with the deep chocolate ganache and peanut butter layers, creating a base that doesn’t overpower but rather enhances the overall flavor profile.

The Chocolate Ganache Layer: A Silky Foundation of Decadence

Before we get to the heart of the pie—the peanut butter layer—there’s the luscious chocolate ganache. This simple yet decadent layer of melted chocolate and heavy cream (or a dairy-free alternative) is spread over the Chex crust, forming a silky smooth barrier between the crunchy base and the creamy filling.

The chocolate ganache doesn’t just serve as a delicious treat on its own; it also acts as an important flavor enhancer. The ganache’s glossy, rich chocolate flavor contrasts beautifully with the slightly nutty, salty peanut butter filling. It adds another layer of complexity to the pie, so every bite is an explosion of flavor, alternating between sweet and savory, crunchy and creamy. It’s the ultimate indulgence for any chocolate lover.

What’s particularly great about the ganache layer is its ability to hold up the peanut butter filling while also providing a smooth texture that offsets the slightly firmer Chex crust. This layer is the glue that ties the whole dessert together, adding a silky richness that perfectly complements the crunchy and creamy elements of the pie.

Peanut Butter Layer: Creamy, Dreamy, and Rich

Now we come to the star of the show: the peanut butter layer. This filling is everything you want in a pie filling—creamy, thick, and full of rich peanut butter flavor. What sets this peanut butter filling apart from others is the combination of cream cheese and Cool Whip, which helps create a decadent, fluffy texture while adding depth and a slight tanginess that cuts through the richness.

The cream cheese brings a smooth, slightly tangy flavor that balances out the sweetness of the peanut butter, while the Cool Whip contributes a lightness that makes the filling feel airy and indulgent rather than dense. It’s a perfect combination that results in a texture that melts in your mouth, providing the ideal contrast to the firm, crunchy Chex crust and the silky ganache.

Peanut butter lovers will appreciate the intensity of the peanut butter flavor in the filling, which doesn’t get lost in the richness of the cream cheese or the Cool Whip. Every bite is packed with that irresistible nutty-sweet taste that makes peanut butter such a beloved ingredient in the world of desserts. Plus, the filling is thick enough to hold its shape without being overly stiff, creating a smooth, luxurious layer that’s both satisfying and indulgent.

Topping it Off: Chopped Peanut Butter Cups

To elevate this peanut butter pie to the next level, it’s topped with chopped peanut butter cups. These miniature treats add texture, sweetness, and an extra layer of chocolate-peanut butter goodness that’ll have you reaching for another slice. The combination of the chopped peanut butter cups and the smooth filling is simply divine.

When you take a bite of the pie, you get little bits of peanut butter cup mixed throughout, adding a chewy, candy-like element that contrasts beautifully with the smooth peanut butter filling and the crisp Chex crust. The chocolate coating on the peanut butter cups also adds a final layer of richness that ties everything together, creating a pie that is a chocolate and peanut butter lover’s dream.

This finishing touch also gives the pie a delightful visual appeal. The chunks of chopped peanut butter cups scattered on top not only add to the flavor but also make the pie look as tempting as it tastes. It’s the perfect way to end this dessert on a high note, ensuring that every bite is packed with all the best flavors.

Whether you're gluten-free or not, this pie is a showstopper that will impress your guests and satisfy any sweet tooth. Its rich, indulgent layers will make it the centerpiece of any occasion, from casual get-togethers to more formal celebrations. And for those with dietary restrictions, it’s a dream come true—a dessert that doesn’t sacrifice flavor or texture, even without gluten.

If you’re looking for a dessert that combines all the best elements of chocolate and peanut butter in a way that feels luxurious and indulgent, look no further. This Gluten-Free Deep Dish Peanut Butter Pie is the ultimate treat, offering the perfect balance of crunchy, creamy, and sweet in every bite. It’s a pie that will have you coming back for more—and one that will become a new favorite in your dessert repertoire.

Let the baking begin!

TIPS AND TRICKS:

- Always preheat your oven.

- Be sure that the cream cheese is soft and at room temperature to avoid lumps in the peanut butter layer.

- Refrigerate the ganache layer after your pour it on the crust for at least 30 minutes before topping with the peanut butter layer.

- If you don't like Cool Whip you can replace it with 1 1/2 c. of cold heavy whipping cream and 2 Tbsp. of powdered sugar. Whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar until light and fluffy.

- Chop the candy and shave the chocolate before making the peanut butter layer so you can sprinkle everything on as soon as you spread out the peanut butter layer.

- Refrigerate pie until set; at least 2 hours.

- Store in the fridge covered with plastic wrap for up to 4 days.

This deep dish peanut butter pie is more than just a dessert; it's a celebration of all things chocolate and peanut butter, made even more special with its perfect balance of textures and flavors. It's a must-try for anyone who appreciates indulgent, creamy treats, and it’s sure to become a favorite in your dessert lineup!