In this article, we will explore a delicious and easy-to-prepare recipe.
Mini Peanut Butter Pies: A Delightful Bite-Sized Treat
Indulging in a sweet treat doesn’t have to mean overindulgence. These Mini Peanut Butter Pies are the perfect bite-sized delight, combining the rich flavors of chocolate and peanut butter with a satisfying crunch. Whether you’re hosting a get-together or simply want to enjoy a delicious dessert, these mini pies are sure to impress.
Why You’ll Love These Mini Peanut Butter Pies
These mini pies are a fantastic fusion of rich chocolate crust and creamy peanut butter filling. The crust, made from a mix of all-purpose flour, unsweetened cocoa powder, and a hint of sugar, offers a slightly crisp texture that holds the luscious filling perfectly. The creamy filling, a blend of peanut butter and cream cheese, brings a smooth and decadent contrast to the crust. Topped with a drizzle of semi-sweet chocolate and optional chopped peanuts, these mini pies offer a delightful combination of flavors and textures in every bite.
Ingredients Breakdown
For the Chocolate Crust:
- All-Purpose Flour, Cocoa Powder, and Sugar: These form the base of our crust, with cocoa powder adding a rich chocolatey flavor.
- Butter and Crisco: These fats ensure a tender yet sturdy crust, providing the perfect base for our creamy filling.
- Egg Yolks and Iced Coffee: The egg yolks add richness, while iced coffee (or ice water) helps bind the dough together, adding a subtle depth to the flavor.
For the Peanut Butter Filling:
- Creamy Peanut Butter and Cream Cheese: These ingredients create a smooth, rich filling that pairs perfectly with the chocolate crust.
- Vanilla and Confectioners’ Sugar: Vanilla enhances the flavor, while confectioners’ sugar adds sweetness and a silky texture.
- Cool Whip: This adds lightness to the filling, balancing the richness of the peanut butter and cream cheese.
For the Topping:
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips and Crisco: Melted together, these create a glossy drizzle that enhances the dessert’s visual appeal and flavor.
- Chopped Peanuts (Optional): For a bit of crunch and a beautiful garnish.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Preparing the Chocolate Crust
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a food processor, blend the flour, cocoa, sugar, and salt until well combined.
- Incorporate Fats: Add cold butter and Crisco, pulsing until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
- Form the Dough: Add egg yolks and iced coffee gradually, pulsing until the dough forms a cohesive ball. Start with 5 tablespoons of iced coffee and add more if needed.
- Chill the Dough: Divide the dough into two discs, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
Shaping and Baking
- Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 350°F.
- Roll and Cut Dough: On a floured surface, roll out the dough to 1/8 inch thickness. Use a 3-inch flower-shaped cookie cutter to cut out the dough.
- Form Pie Shells: Gently press the cut dough into a mini muffin pan to form shells.
- Bake: Bake for 12-15 minutes. Allow the shells to cool completely in the pan to maintain their shape.
Making the Peanut Butter Filling
- Beat Ingredients: In a bowl, beat together peanut butter, cream cheese, and vanilla until smooth. Add confectioners’ sugar and beat again.
- Incorporate Cool Whip: Fold in the Cool Whip, beating until the mixture is smooth.
Assembling the Pies
- Fill the Shells: Pipe the peanut butter filling into the cooled pie shells using a piping bag.
- Add Chocolate Drizzle: Melt chocolate chips with Crisco, then drizzle over the pies using a plastic bag with a snipped corner.
- Garnish: Optionally, sprinkle chopped peanuts on top for added texture.
Nutritional Information
Each serving of these mini pies contains approximately 138 calories, with 12g of carbohydrates, 9g of fat, and 2g of protein. They are a delicious treat that can be enjoyed in moderation.
Final Thoughts
These Mini Peanut Butter Pies are not only visually appealing but also incredibly satisfying. Perfect for parties, picnics, or a sweet ending to a meal, they are a testament to how simple ingredients can come together to create something truly special. Enjoy the rich flavors and delightful textures of these mini pies, and watch as they become a favorite among family and friends!
Mini Peanut Butter Pies
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In a food processor, combine the flour, cocoa, sugar, and salt on low until blended. Add the butter and Crisco and pulse until the mixture resembles coarse crumbles. Add the egg yolks and iced coffee and process with slow pulses until the dough forms a ball.
- Press the dough into two flatten discs. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. On a floured surface, roll out your dough until it is about 1/8 inch thick. Cut out the dough using a flower shaped cookie cutter. Gently press the flowers into an ungreased mini muffin pan.
- Bake at 350 degrees F for 12 -15 minutes. Allow the mini pie shells to cool completely in the pan before removing.
- Mix up the peanut butter pie filling. Beat the peanut butter with the cream cheese and vanilla until smooth. Add the powdered sugar, beating again until smooth. Add in the Cool Whip and beat the mixture one final time until smooth.
- Add the filling into a piping bag and pipe into your cooled chocolate pie shells.
- For the drizzle, melt the chocolate chips and shortening. Allow the mixture to cool slightly, then transfer to a plastic bag. Snip off a tiny portion of one corner of the bag and drizzle the chocolate onto the filled pie shells. Top with chopped peanuts for garnish.
