If you’re dreaming of something rich, creamy, and impossibly satisfying, this Peanut Butter Mousse Pie is about to steal your heart. With a chocolate cookie crust, silky peanut butter mousse filling, and a blanket of ganache, every forkful is like dessert heaven—no baking required!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Dreamy, No-Bake Ease: Forget preheating the oven—this pie comes together effortlessly with just a little mixing, chilling, and a dash of patience.
- Texture Lovers’ Paradise: The combination of a crunchy chocolate cookie crust and luscious mousse filling is the very definition of decadence.
- Crowd-Pleasing Flavors: Chocolate and peanut butter never go out of style, making this a guaranteed hit for parties, potlucks, or family dinners.
- Totally Customizable: Finish your Peanut Butter Mousse Pie with your favorite candies, nuts, or swirls—there’s a topping for everyone to love!
Ingredients You’ll Need
The best part about this Peanut Butter Mousse Pie? The grocery list is short and sweet! Each ingredient plays a starring role, building a pie that’s creamy, chocolaty, and totally irresistible—no fancy tricks required.
- Chocolate sandwich cookies: These create a crisp, chocolatey crust that’s the perfect base for all that creamy filling.
- Unsalted butter (melted): Melted butter binds the cookie crumbs together and adds extra richness to the crust.
- Cream cheese (softened): Provides body and tang to the mousse, balancing the sweetness and making it smooth as silk.
- Smooth peanut butter: For that classic nutty flavor and creamy texture—use a good-quality, no-stir brand for best results.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens the pie without any grittiness, keeping the mousse airy.
- Vanilla extract: Just a touch brings out the best in both the peanut butter and chocolate.
- Salt: A little goes a long way in elevating all the flavors—don’t skip it!
- Cold heavy cream: Whipped right into the mousse, this is where all that dreamy fluffiness comes from.
- Semisweet chocolate (chopped): Melts beautifully for a glossy, bittersweet ganache topping that ties the whole pie together.
- Peanut butter cups (optional): For a fun and indulgent garnish—you can never have too much peanut butter and chocolate.
Variations
One of my favorite things about this recipe is how unbelievably easy it is to make it your own. Whether you want to switch up the crust, adjust the filling, or jazz up the toppings, Peanut Butter Mousse Pie is happy to bend to your cravings (and your pantry supplies!).
- Go gluten-free: Use certified gluten-free chocolate sandwich cookies for a crust everyone can enjoy.
- Add crunch: Stir crushed pretzels or chopped peanuts into the crust or sprinkle them over the ganache for salty-sweet bliss.
- Make it lighter: Swap in light cream cheese and try whipped topping instead of heavy cream for a mousse that’s a bit lighter but still luscious.
- Switch up the chocolate: Try dark chocolate for the ganache if you love a more intense chocolate flavor, or use milk chocolate for extra sweetness.
- Toppings galore: Finish with mini marshmallows, chocolate shavings, or a drizzle of caramel—whatever makes your crowd smile!
How to Make Peanut Butter Mousse Pie
Step 1: Make the Chocolate Cookie Crust
Add the chocolate sandwich cookies and melted unsalted butter to the bowl of a food processor. Pulse in quick bursts until you have fine, uniform crumbs—no big clumps! Press the crumb mixture evenly into the bottom and up the sides of your pie dish using your fingers at first, then firmly compact with a measuring cup for a neat, sturdy shell. Pop the crust in the fridge to set while you prep your filling.
Step 2: Whip Up the Peanut Butter Mousse
Cream together the softened cream cheese for a couple of minutes until it’s smooth and fluffy—this step helps erase any lumps! Beat in the peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt. Once combined, add the cold heavy cream and whip until the whole mixture is super light, airy, and mousse-like (about three minutes). The mousse should hold soft peaks and look so tempting you’ll want to sneak a spoonful.
Step 3: Fill and Chill
Scoop the mousse into the chilled cookie crust. Use an offset spatula—or the back of a spoon—to smooth the top, reaching all the way to the edges. Place the pie in the refrigerator and let it chill for at least two hours, so the filling can firm up perfectly.
Step 4: Prepare the Ganache
Warm the remaining heavy cream until steaming but not boiling. Pour the hot cream over chopped semisweet chocolate in a mixing bowl and let it sit for a minute. Whisk gently until the chocolate melts into a glossy, silky sauce. This chocolate ganache takes the whole Peanut Butter Mousse Pie over the top!
Step 5: Decorate and Chill One More Time
Pour the ganache over your chilled pie and smooth it into an even layer. Want to get fancy? Top with halved or quartered peanut butter cups along the edges. Chill your masterpiece again for at least 30-60 minutes, so the ganache sets to shiny, sliceable perfection.
Pro Tips for Making Peanut Butter Mousse Pie
- Ultimate Creaminess: For the silkiest mousse, always use room-temperature cream cheese—cold cream cheese won’t blend smoothly and can leave lumps.
- Cookie Crush: Make sure your cookie crumbs are finely ground for a tightly packed crust that holds its shape and slices beautifully.
- Chill for Clean Slices: Let the pie chill thoroughly before slicing with a sharp, warm knife for picture-perfect wedges.
- Ganache Gloss: Pour the ganache over the cold mousse so it sets quickly and achieves that beautiful, shiny finish on top of your Peanut Butter Mousse Pie.
How to Serve Peanut Butter Mousse Pie
Garnishes
Dress your Peanut Butter Mousse Pie up with extra peanut butter cups, a scattering of roasted peanuts, a drizzle of melted chocolate, or even a swirl of whipped cream. Each of these garnishes adds a playful (and delicious) touch to an already stunning dessert.
Side Dishes
This pie is plenty rich on its own, so pair it with a hot mug of strong coffee, an ice-cold glass of milk, or tangy fresh berries on the side. A scoop of vanilla ice cream is always welcome, especially on warm days when you’re craving a bit of extra indulgence.
Creative Ways to Present
Turn Peanut Butter Mousse Pie into elegant mini desserts by dividing the crust and filling between individual ramekins or mason jars. For a fun, party-ready twist, cut the pie into bite-sized bars or serve parfait-style in clear glasses so everyone can admire those luscious layers.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cover any leftover pie tightly with plastic wrap or foil and store it in the refrigerator. Thanks to the dairy-rich filling, you’ll want to keep it chilled and enjoy it within five days—the flavors just keep getting better.
Freezing
Good news: you can freeze Peanut Butter Mousse Pie for up to one month! Wrap it well, or store individual slices in airtight containers. Thaw overnight in the fridge before serving and keep in mind the texture may be a touch firmer (but still deliciously creamy).
Reheating
No reheating is needed—this pie is meant to be served chilled! If you’ve frozen your pie, simply allow it to thaw in the refrigerator until it’s softly set and ready to serve.
FAQs
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Can I make Peanut Butter Mousse Pie ahead of time?
Absolutely! This pie is tailor-made for advance prep. Simply assemble up to one day ahead, cover, and chill until ready to serve—the flavors and texture only get better as it rests.
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Do I have to use a food processor for the cookie crust?
If you don’t have a food processor, seal the cookies in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin. Just be sure the crumbs are fine for a crust that holds together well.
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What’s the best peanut butter for this recipe?
Go for a smooth, no-stir peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy). Natural peanut butters can be oily or separate, which may affect the texture of the mousse.
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Can I make this pie without chocolate ganache?
You can! The ganache adds an indulgent finish, but you could top your Peanut Butter Mousse Pie with extra whipped cream, a dusting of cocoa, or a sprinkle of chopped nuts if you’d prefer to skip the chocolate.
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a show-stopping, fuss-free dessert, this Peanut Butter Mousse Pie deserves a place on your table. It’s decadent, dreamy, and guaranteed to bring smiles with every creamy, chocolatey bite—so don’t wait, make it soon and enjoy!
PrintPeanut Butter Mousse Pie Recipe
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
- Yield: 1 pie (8-10 slices) 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the creamy decadence of this Peanut Butter Mousse Pie. A chocolate cookie crust holds a luscious peanut butter mousse filling, topped with a rich ganache. This no-bake dessert is a perfect blend of sweet and salty flavors.
Ingredients
Crust:
- 22 chocolate sandwich cookies
- 5 tablespoons (75g) melted unsalted butter
Mousse:
- 12 ounces (340g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 1/2 cups (375g) smooth peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups (170g) powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/2 cups (360ml) heavy cream, cold
Ganache:
- 4 ounces (113g) semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup (120ml) heavy cream
- Peanut butter cups, for topping (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Process cookies and melted butter in a food processor. Press into a pie tin and chill.
- Make the Mousse: Beat cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and salt until fluffy. Whip in cold heavy cream until light and fluffy.
- Fill the Pie: Pour mousse into the crust and chill until firm.
- Prepare the Ganache: Heat cream, pour over chocolate, and whisk until smooth. Pour over the pie.
- Chill and Serve: Chill until set, then optionally garnish with peanut butter cups before serving.
Notes
- We recommend using the Zwilling XTEND cordless hand mixer for the mousse filling.
- Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Do not leave at room temperature for more than 2 hours.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 521
- Sugar: 26.2 g
- Sodium: 159.3 mg
- Fat: 41.5 g
- Saturated Fat: 20.3 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 16.9 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 32.2 g
- Fiber: 2.3 g
- Protein: 10.3 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg