Ingredients:
- 340 g Dark Chocolate Biscuits (12 oz), finely crushed
- 85 g Unsalted Butter (6 Tbsp), melted, plus extra for greasing
- 15 g Granulated Sugar (1 Tbsp, optional, if using plain biscuits)
- 225 g Full-Fat Cream Cheese (8 oz), softened, room temperature
- 360 g Smooth Peanut Butter (1 1/2 cups), room temperature
- 150 g Icing (Powdered) Sugar (1 1/4 cups), sifted
- 5 ml Vanilla Extract (1 tsp)
- 2 ml Fine Sea Salt (1/4 tsp)
- 360 ml Heavy Whipping Cream (Double Cream, 1 1/2 cups), cold
- Roasted Peanuts, roughly chopped (Optional Garnish)
- Chocolate shavings or grated chocolate (Optional Garnish)
Instructions:
- Prepare the Pie Plate: Lightly grease the 9-inch (23 cm) pie plate with butter.
- Crush the Biscuits: Pulse the chocolate biscuits in a food processor until fine crumbs are formed. (Alternatively, crush them in a sealed bag.)
- Combine: Transfer crumbs to a bowl. Pour in the melted butter and mix thoroughly until the crumbs resemble wet sand. Add sugar if using plain biscuits.
- Press the Base: Transfer the mixture to the prepared pie plate. Use the bottom of a measuring cup or glass to firmly press the crumbs evenly across the bottom and up the sides. Ensure the crust is compact and tidy.
- Chill: Place the crust in the freezer for a minimum of 30 minutes to set completely.
- Whip the Cream: Pour the cold heavy cream into a clean, chilled mixing bowl. Whip on medium-high speed until firm, stiff peaks form. Set aside in the refrigerator. Do not over-whip.
- Cream the Base: In a separate, large bowl, use the mixer to beat the softened cream cheese until perfectly smooth and lump-free (about 1 minute).
- Add Flavour: Add the peanut butter, sifted icing sugar, vanilla extract, and salt to the cream cheese mixture. Beat on medium speed until the mixture is light, creamy, and homogenous.
- Lighten the Mixture: Gently fold about a third of the prepared whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture using a rubber spatula. This lightens the base.
- Fold in Remaining Cream: Carefully fold in the remaining two-thirds of the whipped cream, working gently so as not to deflate the air. Stop folding as soon as no white streaks of cream remain.
- Fill the Crust: Spoon the peanut butter filling into the chilled crust. Use the spatula to smooth the top into an even dome.
- Final Chill: Cover the pie loosely and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, until the pie is completely set and firm to the touch.
- Garnish and Serve: Just before serving, sprinkle with chopped peanuts or chocolate shavings. Serve chilled.