This is not going to be a typical post on My Baking Addiction. It’s more of a reminder to take a moment to hug those you love a little tighter.
Last Sunday, food writer, Jennifer Perillo lost her husband, Mikey to a sudden heart attack. Word spread of Jennie’s tremendous loss through social media. I don’t know Jennie personally, simply through our brief emails and tweets – but I sat at my desk feeling heartbroken and helpless. The food blogging community immediately virtually embraced Jennie and her daughters and wanted to step in to help in any way that we could.
On Tuesday, Jennie wrote a post entitled For Mikey, where Jennie made a simple request, “For those asking what they can do to help my healing process, make a peanut butter pie this Friday and share it with someone you love.”
A Facebook group formed and over 800 people signed on to do just that – make a pie to share with our loved ones as a tribute to Mikey.
Again, give those dear to you a little extra lovin’ today, because in Jennie’s words,
“Today is the only guarantee we can count on.”
Peanut Butter Pie
Yield: 8 mini pies
Ingredients:
For the crust
16 Oreo cookies
4 tablespoons unsalted butter, meltedFor the filling
1 cup heavy cream
8 ounces cream cheese
1 cup creamy-style peanut butter
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 14-ounce can sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extractDirections:
1. Place the Oreo cookies into the bowl of a food processor and pulse into fine crumbs. In a small bowl, combine cookie crumbs and melted butter and stir.
2. Evenly divide the crumbs between your individual serving dishes and press into the bottoms of the dishes to form a crust layer.
2. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or in a large bowl with an electric mixer, beat the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Transfer whipped cream to a small bowl and place it into the refrigerator while you prepare the rest of the filling.
3. Place cream cheese and peanut butter the mixing bowl and beat on medium speed until smooth. Reduce speed to low and gradually add in confectioners' sugar until well combined. Add in sweetened condensed milk and vanilla and beat on medium speed until mixture is creamy and smooth. Take care to scrape down the sides of the bowl as needed.
4. Stir in 1/3 of the whipped cream into the filling mixture. Use a rubber spatula to fold in the remaining whipped cream until well blended until no streaks remain.
3. Evenly pipe or spoon the filling into individual serving dishes. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours before serving. If desired, garnish with whipped cream and chocolate curls.Notes:
-If you make this into one pie, use this recipe.
-The number of pies you get from this recipe will depend on the size of your individual serving dishes.
-Peanut Butter allergy? Check out Katie's version using almond butter.
Prop Note:
The small glass bowls were purchased from Pier 1. Spoons are from Ikea.
adapted and inspired by Jennie
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{ 57 comments… read them below or add one }
very touching…
Just gorgeous. I love the individual portions! xoxo
Sorry for the loss, love the message! I hate that it takes a tragedy to make us remember how important the little things really are! I will be sharing this with my facebook fans!
Happy Day,
Jasey @ Jasey’s Crazy Daisy
jaseyscrazydaisy.com
Lovely tribute and reminder to us all
Sort of out of words…it’s been such a heartbreaking day yet seeing so many people pay tribute to Jennifer and her family with such an outpouring of love has been overwhelming in a different way. Lovely photos Jamie.
Very touching – I’ve never been so proud to be a food blogger…. your photos are stunning.
Beautiful post and beautiful recipe. You are a blessing girl.
I need more kleenex after reading all of the posts that people are making, but it’s making me grab my family a little tighter and hug them a little longer. Beautiful post, and beautiful individual pies. Thank you for sharing.
I have seen similar posts all week. My heart has been heavy for this woman.
Thank you for blogging about her loss and making the pie. She has been in my thoughts and prayers all week.
My deepest sympathies to her and her family.
We are all united and can feel Jennie’s pain. I am so darn proud to be a part of a selfless blogging community. Bravo everyone.
Sending loads of hugs to Jennie and her daughters..
Hello: What a wonderful blog. These cheesecakes look so yummy. I will be back for more ideas. Beautiful photography as well.
Love these little pies in those adorable pies. So pretty. And the words, too. If we learn something from this week it’s to share what matters most with those that matter most. Every single day. Thanks!
Thank you for keeping this going. There’s no way she can’t feel the love. <3
It’s amazing how the food blogging community has all come together like this – thank you for sharing & love how you adapted this into individual pies, they’re beautiful!
What a beautiful sentiment.
My girlfriend and I were recently discussing the happiness and contentment you can muster from the act of remembering someone with their favourite food. It’s seems so simple and “low-key”, but food, and tastes, are so intrinsic to someone’s character, to someone’s life, that it can bring you closer to them and their memory. The preparation of a favourite dish, however simple, is such an act of love and affection, that it brings warmth and satisfaction, rather than sadness.
Even though I don’t know Jennifer, or her husband, sharing a pie with someone you love could never be a bad thing, so i’ll be making this one ( http://abigailryanblog.blogspot.com/2011/07/cutabitch-pie.html ) and sharing it with my family.
peanut butter has always been our family’s center of breakfast feast. I surely will try to prepare this over the next month’s family gathering.
emotionally charged & heartfelt post.
the blogging community is such a strong, caring & wonderful group…give yourselves a huge hug…you deserve it.
It’s amazing how the virtual community of foodies has come together to help support Jennie and her family. I have to believe she felt the outpouring of love and that it will help her along this difficult journey. Your pies are, as usual, lovely.
Love your pie, and thanks for being a sweet part of this lovely tribute! Wanting to make this soon.
it is so amazing how a community across the globe, some know each other and some don’t, come together to enlighten others. beautiful post, beautiful pies!
Such a beautiful post!
To honor Mikey I also made a creamy peanut butter pie and shared with my loved ones, http://sockerrus.se/2011/08/13/creamy-peanut-butter-pie-from-sweden-with-love/
From Sweden with Love
Lisa
I love to open Oreos and smear PB on the filling before re-sandwiching and eating them
This pie reminded me of sitting on the back patio with my sister, a box of Oreos and a jar of PB. Calling her right now to say I love you.
Queenie, Great post! You brought tears to my eyes. My thoughts are with your friend and her family. Make every day count -love Momma xxoo
This looks so, so good. I wish the very best for Jenny and her family during this time.
Such a sad story. It has touched my heart as well. These tasty pies are a beautiful tribute!
Just beautiful.
This is awful! I am so sorry to hear that this hapened. However, these look like the perfect yummie pie to share as per her request with someone you love
These look lovely Jamie.
I’ve been giving a LOT of extra lovin’ to my loves.
I’m so proud to be a part of this wonderful food blogging community that can stand together, arms entwined, in a ginormous *hug* for Jennie. It is amazing.
These individual peanut butter pies are so stunning, Jamie! Even a few days later, it’s still amazing to see all of the peanut butter pie posts. It’s so great to see everyone supporting Jennie!
Touching story.
The pies looked beautiful prepared but were incredibly too sweet for my palate.
so sad. my thoughts and prayers are with her and her family
Thanks for sharing this and inspiring me to finally make a peanut butter pie for my partner. It’s very inspiring that out of such a sad story a positive movement has grown. My prayers and thoughts are with Jennie and her family!
These look amazingly good. I am so touched by how so many food bloggers have joined together in supporting Jennie. I don’t know Jennie but I did heard about the horrible tragedy.
This sounds indescribably delicious. Plus they look so very cute in the pretty photos! Wow. Oreos, peanut butter, and cream cheese all in one recipe. Unbeatable.
What a thoughtful tribute. A very sweet, simple way to celebrate his memory. So sorry for her loss.
This is a lovely sentiment and they look delicious. I am just curious where you got your glass dishes, and how many oz they hold. They look like the perfect size. =)
Great recipe…even through the tears for you friend xox
ugh…that was supposed to be *your friend…
I made these last night and OMG, they are delicious!!! Thanks for the recipe!
How do you put the filling in there so evenly? It looks perfect? Do you pipe it in? Any hints here are appreciated. I love the smooth tops!
Janette-
I piped the filled into the bowls.
Jamie
Thanks for the recipe! Love making them. Delicious – smooth creamy and not over powering with peanutbutter (Just enough). I did use Golden Oreos and they were perfect! Added to my favorite recipes (keeper).
made these last night. they are overpoweringly sweet. i should have figured that condensed milk, powdered sugar and the sugar in peanut butter was too much. may make again, but will use less sugar. and i say this as someone who loves sweets!
This looks so amazing and indulgent. My husband loves Peanut butter and I think that this would be a perfect dessert to make sometime for him. Great Post.
Saw this on Pinterest and had to make it. SO good. Absolutely easy and terribly yummy. I made these into the little disposable clear plastic cups to take to an appetizer themed dinner party so i didn’t have cleanup after. It was a great hit. Thanks!!
When my mom died the girls at work brought me a peanut butter pie. I was so touched because it is my all time favorite. Thanks for posting this recipe and reason behind it. Made me think of my mom~
I made these and boy were they good! My kids devoured them. I would love to put a link to your recipe on my blog if that’s ok. You let me know. Thanks from the beachhutcook
Thanks for reporting back on your experience! You are more than welcome to link to me on your blog. Have a great day!
-Jamie
I made these and they were amazing! I used 6oz ramekins, and there was a perfect amount for 8. I also baked the crust at 400 degrees fahrenheit for 8 minutes and let it cool before I put the filling in. After I put the filling in, I refrigerated it overnight. I then made a choc. + shortening mixture and spread it on top and put it back in the fridge to harden. I also stored them in the fridge. This is an amazing recipe! The consistency of the filling is that of a mousse. Thank you so much for the post!
I just made the pie and thought of Jennie and her loss of over one year ago. I hope she is healing.
One questions, can this cheesecake be frozen?
I’m not a huge fan of peanut butter but these look really good!! And they’re pretty (: i’m willing to try these!
This. looks. so. yummieeee!
I made tinty versions of these in dixie cups for an office potluck. They were such a hit, thanks for the great recipe.
PS I just love all your photos and the way you have organized your blog, it is very easy to navigate and so beautiful to look at.
Beth-
I am so happy to hear you enjoyed the recipe – thanks so much for leaving your feedback! Have a great day!
-Jamie
I just made these to take to a dinner tonight. Your presentation is what caught my eye. The individual servings are awesome, less inclined to over indulge. The filling is scrumptious, I can’t wait to have one after dinner. Thank you for sharing.
Can something be substituted for peanut butter? I’m not a big peanut butter fan…maybe shaved coconut or Nutella, anyone have any ideas?
Mary-
I have not substituted for peanut butter in this particular recipe. If you try it, stop back and let us know how it turns out. Good luck and have a great day!
-Jamie