Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie
Special Occasion Show Stopper

CRUST:
12 whole graham crackers
2 TBS brown sugar
5 TBS unsalted butter, melted
pinch of salt
2 oz. milk chocolate, melted, for painting on the finished crust
FILLING:
8 oz. cream cheese softened
1 cup smooth or chunky peanut butter
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 - 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
3 TBS sour cream (creme fraiche or greek yogurt will work as well)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 oz. milk chocolate melted and cooled to room temp.
1 cup heavy whipping cream whipped to stiff peaks
CHOCOLATE GANACHE:
1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
4 oz. semisweet or bittersweet chocolate finely chopped
CANDIED PEANUTS:
1 cup salted peanuts
1/4 cup sugar
WHIPPED CREAM TOPPING:
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream whipped to stiff peaks for top of the Pie
Graham Cracker Crust:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Grind Graham Crackers, brown sugar, butter and salt together until it is uniform and sticks together when squeezed.
Dump it into a 9" pie dish and press the crust into an even crust.
Bake for 15 min., until set and toasted.
Allow to cool.
Filling:
Beat the cream cheese in a stand mixer on medium speed using the paddle attachment, until it is light and fluffy.
Add the peanut butter and confectioner's sugar; continue beating on low speed for about 1 min.
Add the condensed milk, sour cream, vanilla and lemon juice, mix until smooth.
Add the melted and cooled milk chocolate and mix until evenly distributed.
Fold in half the whipped cream to lighten the batter, then fold in the remaining cream until it is evenly distributed.
Pour into the chilled crusts.
Place the pies into the refrigerator to chill uncovered for about an hour.
Chocolate Ganache:
In a small sauce pot heat the heavy cream on low to a gentle simmer.
Turn off the heat and add the chopped chocolate, swirl together gently and then let it sit for one minute.
Gently whisk until smooth.
Allow to cool slightly, spoon the ganache over the chilled peanut butter filling.
Return the pies to the refrigerator to chill for another hour.
Candied Peanuts:
In a large skillet mix together the raw peanuts, sugar and salt.
Cook over medium-low heat until the sugar begins to melt and the nuts start to toast slightly, stirring constantly.
Once the sugar starts to melt, turn the heat to low and cook until the nuts are lightly caramelized.
The mixture may smoke a little as they get darker. Don't panic! ;)
Pour the nuts onto a silicone baking mat to cool.
Once they are cool, you can chop them into small pieces or leave them whole.
Once the pie is throughly chilled (about 2 hours or overnight) top with the whipped cream and candied peanuts.
Tips:
Don't skip the lemon juice in the filling. Adding this bit of acid helps balance out the sweetness of the pie and helps to set the proteins so it sets up well.
You can use unsweetened whipped topping if you want to ease up on the sweetness of the pie.
Servings: 8-10
Cook Time: 3 1/2 - 4 hrs/ or overnight due to chill time
Tools: Large Skillet, Silicone Baking Mat, Whisk, 10" round Springform pan