Ultimate Peanut Butter Pie

In case I've never mentioned it before, I am in fact, a resident of The Peanut Capital of the World. Jealous? I thought so... In the Fall we, here in the Peanut Capital of the World, have a week long festival to celebrate all things peanut. Through the years, I've had many versions of the peanut butter pie. Peanut Butter pie is a truly a classic Southern dessert.  Most of the recipes I've seen for the pies are made using frozen whipped topping. I'm just not a fan of the stuff. Anything that looks and tastes like cream but contains no dairy just kinda scares me. The original recipe for this pie was also made with whipped topping but I decided to just whip up some cream and see what happened. Well let me tell you, it made a heavenly combo of peanut and cream. This is one decant pie, a creamy peanut buttery filling studded with chocolate and peanut butter chips, all held together with an Oreo cookie crust. Is your mouth watering yet?!? I made this pie for our family Memorial Day get together but I would be a perfect Father's day celebration pie as well. That sounds like a good excuse to make it again!

The Ultimate Peanut Butter Pie
Source: Year of Alabama Food, Original Oyster House, Gulf Shores

PRINTABLE RECIPE
INGREDIENTS:
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 cup peanut butter
1 tablespoon Kahlúa
2 cups plus 3 Tablespoons powdered sugar
2 cups whipping cream
1/2 cup peanut butter chips, plus more for garnish (optional)
3/4 cup miniature chocolate chips
1 Oreo pie shell

METHOD:
Put the cream  3 Tablespoons powdered sugar into a mixing bowl and whip on high until it holds stiff peaks. In an mixing bowl beat together the cream cheese, peanut butter, Kahlúa and 2 cups of the powdered sugar until well incorporated. Stir in chocolate chips. Stir about 1/4 of the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture. Gently fold in the remaining whipped cream.  Pour into prepared pie shell.  Refrigerated pie for at least 4 hours.Garnish with peanut butter chips and chocolate sprinkles.  Serve cold with a dollop of whipped cream, if desired.