I’ve told y’all once before that I’m very specific about peanut butter pie. I’m a bit of a purist. My original recipe is a rich peanut butter pudding tucked into a graham cracker and toasted peanut crust, without cream cheese or chocolate. You can find my recipe here. However, it’s high time I posted the other peanut butter pie: the sinful version with both cream cheese and chocolate.

I love baking special desserts to enjoy together after dinner, but lately, I love baking snack-type desserts that can be kept on-hand for whenever the mood strikes. Mr. Dessert For Two is always snooping through the fridge in search of a quick snack that he can grab before he runs off to another field to turn off the irrigation pump. It makes me happy to think of his eyes lighting up when he stumbles upon these. I hope it warms his heart that I baked these knowing that a chocolate-peanut butter craving would hit in the middle of a long, hard day.

It’s one thing to do something for someone when they need it; it’s another thing to pre-empt their desires and be at the ready. If I’ve learned anything about blogging in the past year, it’s that bloggers are always ready to help, serve and love fellow bloggers in a time of need. Within hours of hearing that a fellow food blogger lost her husband unexpectedly, bloggers were uniting to form a support group. Please, take a little time to imagine what it’s like to be in someone else’s shoes (it makes us better people after all), and click on over to pour your love and support for Jennifer’s family. Jennie requested that we bake peanut butter pies (her husband’s favorite) for those we love and share them today. Nothin’ goes better with peanut butter pie bites than sticky peanut butter kisses, so give a big hug and kiss to everyone you love today. Please keep Jennie’s family in your thoughts and prayers.

Peanut Butter Pie Bites

Makes 1 small loaf pan, about 6 bites

Ingredients

3 oz. chocolate wafers, crushed
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
2 1/2 ouces semi-sweet chocolate chips, melted
2 tablespoons chopped toasted peanuts
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
6 oz. cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
optional: 1 cup chocolate chips for dipping

Instructions

Butter a 9" x 5" x 3" loaf pan.
Mix the crushed chocolate cookies and melted butter together in a small bowl. Press the crumbs into the loaf pan. Pour the melted chocolate chips on top and smooth with an offset spatula. Sprinkle the toasted peanuts on top, then place the loaf pan in the fridge to set while you continue with the recipe.
In a small bowl beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Set in the fridge.
In another bowl, beat together the cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and continue beating, then stream in the condensed milk, vanilla and lemon juice. Once the mixture is well-combined, add 1/3 of the whipped cream mixture and stir to combine. Then, gently fold in the remaining whipped cream, being careful not to deflate it too much. Pour the mixture over the crust and set in the fridge to chill.
Slice into squares for serving.
To coat in chocolate, place the pie squares in the freezer to firm up for about an hour. In the microwave or double boiler, melt the chocolate over low heat while stirring frequently. After the pie squares have hardened slightly, dip the top of the squares in the the chocolate, letting the extra chocolate drip down the sides. Store in the fridge.