Dolly Parton’s Peanut Butter Pie
Discovered in a batch of handwritten index cards purchased at a local auction, this recipe for Dolly Parton’s Peanut Butter Pie is an absolute vintage treasure. It is a fantastic, crowd-pleasing dessert that generously yields two complete pies.
The Science of the Filling
Creating a structurally sound no-bake pie requires balancing dense, heavy ingredients with aerated ones. Whipping softened cream cheese and powdered sugar together creates a highly stable, sweetened base. Adding rich peanut butter brings intense flavor but adds a heavy density. This thick texture is expertly lightened by gently folding in a stabilized whipped topping like Cool Whip. By utilizing pre-made graham cracker crusts, you eliminate baking entirely and keep the active prep time down to a mere 15 minutes.
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Dolly Parton’s Peanut Butter Pie
16
servings15
minutes50
kcalIngredients
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup peanut butter
16 ounces Cool Whip (large tub)
2 graham cracker crusts
Directions
- Combine the Base: In a large bowl, mix together the powdered sugar, peanut butter, and cream cheese until thoroughly combined.
- Lighten the Mixture: Gently fold the Cool Whip into the peanut butter mixture until no streaks remain.
- Fill the Crusts: Pour the fully mixed filling evenly into the two graham cracker crusts.
- Chill: Place the pies in the refrigerator and chill until you are ready to serve.
Notes
- Mixing Tip: For the smoothest texture, reviewers highly recommend softening the cream cheese first and whipping it by itself until smooth and creamy before adding the powdered sugar and peanut butter.
- Folding Technique: Because the peanut butter mixture is very stiff, it is much easier to blend in half of the Cool Whip first to loosen the batter, and then gently fold in the remaining half.
- Topping Variation: If you prefer a lighter pie, use only 8 ounces of the Cool Whip in the filling, and spread the remaining 8 ounces over the top of the pies as a fluffy frosting.
- Garnish Ideas: Decorate the top of your chilled pies with chopped peanuts, a drizzle of chocolate syrup, sliced bananas, or mini peanut butter cups.
- Storage and Freezing: This pie freezes exceptionally well, making it very handy for unexpected guests. Simply pull it from the freezer and let it stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes before slicing and serving.
