Salted PB Caramel Ganache Pie

Salted PB Caramel Ganache Pie

I have no idea what to call this pie. Other than life-changing, that is.

The idea of making a pie crust used to terrify me. I knew that it involved a food processor, which I owned, but couldn’t put together. Seriously. The directions were so confusing. But then, I found a way around it for an easy crust you can make in a bowl. More details on that later.

By the way, I know how to use my food processor now. But whatever. What makes this pie so amazing is peanut butter caramel. Salted peanut butter caramel. Yes, that exists. And it’s easy to make!

Salted PB Caramel Ganache Pie

What was life like before people knew about salted caramel? Or sushi? Or cake pops that you put in the freezer and eat when they’re super cold?

I really, really have a thing for the freezer. Some people put baked goods into the freezer as a deterrent. Not me. I put baked goods in the freezer, wait a couple of hours, and then start gnawing away. Frozen cheesecake is the best. Frozen brownies are even fudgier than those at room temp. Now that it’s getting hot out, everything I bake (except cookies or giveaway treats) goes straight into the freezer. I strongly encourage you to give it a shot!

Salted PB Caramel Ganache Pie

If you’ve decided that I’m crazy at this point, I’m okay with that. Liking things a certain way is my right, and if you care to judge, go right ahead. I won’t say anything to you if you’re wearing flats, though I might judge you privately. How do people wear flats? I would like to, in theory. They just make my calves look huge. And my legs look shorter. And maybe I just have a high arch, because heels are more comfy cozy.

Salted PB Caramel Ganache Pie

If there’s one thing we can agree on, I hope, it’s that pie crust should be easy to make. The recipe below uses melted butter instead of cubed cold butter, which is more standard. This crust can be made in a bowl in less than five minutes, and if you aren’t into the chocolate flavor, just omit the cocoa. I hope this cures you of your pie crust fears forever. Amen.

Salted PB Caramel Ganache Pie

Now, I had to make this pie crust chocolate to accommodate the happiness that comes next. The first layer of filling is a very simple, thick ganache. It looks almost like a brownie, doesn’t it? But nope, it’s ganache, made purposely on the heavier side to give the pie more heft.

Layered on top is my favorite part: salted peanut butter caramel. This stuff is so simple to make that it’s almost not a recipe. Ready? You take one cup of peanut butter and melt it with a can of SCM (that’s sweetened condensed milk for you laypeople out there) until it’s smooth. Donesies! And then I sprinkle coarse sea salt on top.

Salted PB Caramel Ganache Pie

All of this comes together, gets chilled in the fridge, and you’re done. And for all this effort (i.e., almost none at all), you get some seriously impressive pie. Might I say, brilliant pie. And if you want to eat it all right away, great. But if not, freeze it! I’m telling you, people. Wave of the future!

 

Salted PB Caramel Ganache Pie

Ingredients

Crust
1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 and 1/4 cups flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa
Ganache
1/2 cup heavy cream
1 cup chocolate chips
Peanut Butter Caramel
14-oz. can sweetened condensed milk (I used fat-free)
1 cup peanut butter
coarse sea salt, for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350. Coat a 10-inch pie pan with cooking spray. Set aside.
  2. In a medium bowl, combine the melted butter with the sugar, salt and vanilla until blended. Stir in the cocoa. Add the flour gradually and mix until a dough forms. If the dough is too soft, let it sit for a few minutes.
  3. Press the dough into the prepared pie pan, working it evenly along the bottom and up the sides. Bake for 15-20 minutes until firm and slightly puffy.
  4. While the dough is baking, make the ganache. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate chips and heavy cream for one minute and 30 seconds. Stir until smooth.
  5. Pour the ganache into the baked pie shell, spreading it out evenly. Place in the refrigerator to set.
  6. While the ganache is setting, make the peanut butter caramel. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the peanut butter with the sweetened condensed milk until smooth and well blended.
  7. Pour the peanut butter caramel over the ganache and chill the entire pie until firm.
  8. Right before serving, sprinkle coarse sea salt over the top. Cut into wedges and serve!
http://justaboutbaked.com/salted-pb-caramel-ganache-pie/

 

Mir

I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner. This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker. Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.

This Post Has 33 Comments

  1. Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg

    Mir – I love everything about this pie. Peanut butter with caramel is such a dangerous combination! I don’t think that this would last very long in my house. :p
    Erin @ Miss Scrambled Egg recently posted…Cherry Almond SmoothieMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It’s at my office as we speak, Erin! I cannot keep this baby at home!

  2. Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks

    Whoa! That ganache totally looks like a brownie! Salted caramel peanut butter = brilliant! I’m not so sure I can get on board with heels being comfy cozy, but I’m all in for this pie! 🙂
    Rachelle @ Beer Girl Cooks recently posted…Roasted Beet, Orange, and Fennel Salad with Balsamic VinaigretteMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Well, I do love my fuzzy slippers, Rachelle. But during the day, heels all the way. I’m sure I’m doing terrible things! Thanks so much!

  3. Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom

    Mir, oh my gawd, girl. Salted peanut butter caramel. Yes!!!!! I put baked goods in the freezer, cheesecakes, cakes etc, so I can get a nice sharp clean cut when I slice for photos . . but I’ll have to try the frozen thing. . you may be starting a trend here! 😛 and that layer of salted peanut butter caramel. oh my gawd. perfection! Happy Monday!!!
    Alice @ Hip Foodie Mom recently posted…Gluten Free Blueberry Banana BreadMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I do SO want to start a trend, Alice! You know, people will be eating frozen brownies by 2030. Maybe? I hope!

  4. Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice

    This pie definitely looks life changing, Mir! I’m in love with the caramel and pb combo. And ganache is pretty much the best ever! Such a great dessert!
    Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Toasted Caprese Garlic BreadMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Gayle! It changed my life, that I know!

  5. Heather - Butter & Burlap

    Well, I’m six feet tall, so I love wearing flats haha! And I’ll have to try that whole “put the baked good in the freezer thing”. As of now, I eat it straight out of the oven and put burning chocolate in my mouth because I’m inpatient like that, haha. Great recipe!
    Heather – Butter & Burlap recently posted…Mini Orange Muffins with Sweet Brown Sugar Orange GlazeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I’m the total opposite, Heather! I’m weird. Don’t like almost anything right out of the oven. It blocks the taste for me. But I wish I were tall and could wear heels like you!

  6. mira

    Gorgeous pie and delicious flavor combination Mir! Love salted caramel! Need to make it for a birthday party this weekend! Pinning !
    mira recently posted…Prosciutto and Arugula Pizza – Itallian Summer Grilling With ColavitaMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Really, Mira? Yay! Let me know how it turns out. And thanks for the pin!

  7. Medha @ Whisk & Shout

    This looks amazing! Peanut butter/chocolate/caramel/salty-sweet? I’m swooning over here. Pinned 🙂
    Medha @ Whisk & Shout recently posted…10-Minute Vegan + GF Fried Rice (For One!)My Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks so much, Medha! It’s all my weaknesses in one pie. Yay!

  8. Harriet Emily

    Yummmmmm!! Peanut butter + caramel = best. combo. ever. I love the hidden layer of chocolate ganache beneath it too – ahhhh this dessert looks like complete heaven!!!!
    Harriet Emily recently posted…CHOCOLATE CARAMEL COOKIE SUNDAEMy Profile

    1. Mir

      I am in complete agreement, Harriet Emily! That’s my all-time, no exceptions, favorite combo!

  9. Manali @ CookWithManali

    I’m sold on anything salted caramel! The combination with PB sounds just fantastic Mir!
    Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Chunky Arrabbiata SauceMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Manali! It’s pretty addictive, I must say…

  10. Michele @ Two Raspberries

    life changing is RIGHT! salted caramel things have been my obsession lately and with that chocolaty center! wow! looks amazing!
    Michele @ Two Raspberries recently posted…Chocolate Brownie Donuts -Vegan -Gluten Free -Soy FreeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Michele! They’ve always been my obsession. Can’t stop eating it!

  11. Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat.

    I love this pie Mir, it looks so, so fantastic! Peanut butter caramel? That’s a thing? Why haven’t I heard of this!! Also, I don’t understand how you can wear heels, I force myself to occasionally, but really can’t walk in them! 🙂
    Stacey @ Bake.Eat.Repeat. recently posted…Lemon Roasted AsparagusMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It’s a thing! Or at least, I just decided it was. 🙂 I guess we’re all different. Heels are actually more comfy for me. Bizarre, I know…

  12. Danielle

    So much awesomeness in one pie! Seriously! That peanut butter caramel on top is just genius.
    Danielle recently posted…Chocolate Chip Greek Yogurt PancakesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Danielle! It’s so easy to make, too!

  13. Anu-My Ginger Garlic Kitchen

    I am loving how yummy you made this caramel ganache pie look, Mir! Fabulous combination of peanut butter and caramel!

    1. Mir

      Thanks, Anu! Turns out that PB and caramel are a great combo!

  14. Sam @ SugarSpunRun

    I have a strong feeling that if I were left unattended with this pie I would eat the whole thing in under 2 minutes. It sounds fantastic!
    Sam @ SugarSpunRun recently posted…S’mores CookiesMy Profile

    1. Mir

      That’s why I brought it to work, Sam!

  15. Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust

    A melted butter pie crust. That’s genius!! And the filling. OMG!
    Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Peanut Butter Ice Cream ToppingMy Profile

    1. Mir

      It is amazingly easy to make, Dorothy. So I guess food processor fear can work out for the best! Thanks so much!

  16. Jocelyn @BruCrew Life

    You said salted caramel and peanut butter…I’m so there! This pie is totally calling my name!
    Jocelyn @BruCrew Life recently posted…Salted Caramel Brownie Brittle Ice Cream CakeMy Profile

    1. Mir

      This one was calling my name WAY too loudly, Jocelyn. Thus, the need to give it away FAST!

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