Pie #30: Just Like Mom's Pie (Peanut Butter Pie)

After a short delay, I bring you Just Like Mom's Pie!  With the help and watchful eye of my MIL, I have finally succeeded with this recipe!  Every time I try this recipe on my own, I have failed miserably and am left with nasty, lumpy pudding!  Not any more though...I have the secrets to success in hand, and have Kathy to thank for a delicious pie!

I have loved this pie for years.  Kathy, knowing this, quite typically makes one when she knows we're coming home!  This weekend we celebrated Christmas with Perry's family - complete with parents, siblings, nephews and grandpa!

Each year we celebrate Christmas with a delicious meal on Marv and Kathy's beautiful sets of dishes.  I always try to locate myself at a setting of American Sweetheart - Monax.  These dishes are white, but when held up to the light, a light blue pattern shines through.

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Peanut Butter Pie

Ingredients:
1 blind-baked pie crust (9-in)

peanut butter mix:
1/2 c. powdered sugar
1/4 c. peanut butter (smooth)

pudding:
2 c. milk
2/3 c. sugar
1/4 c. cornstarch
1/2 t. salt
2 T. margarine
1 t. vanilla
2 eggs

topping: (doubled on 25 Jan 2013...this pie needed more whipped topping!)
1 c. whipping cream
4 T. sugar
1/2 t. vanilla


Pie Algorithm:
Peanut Butter Mix:
1. With a fork, mix together the peanut butter and powdered sugar until mix turns into small crumbly pieces.  Put most of the mixture in the bottom of the pre-baked shell, saving just a bit for the top of the pie.

Filling:
1. Mix 1/3 c. sugar, the cornstarch, and salt in a small bowl.  Set aside.  Beat eggs, set aside.  Prepare margarine and vanilla to use later.

2. Put milk and the other 1/3 c. sugar in a saucepan.  Heat until nearly boiling, whisking occasionally.  Just before boiling, scoop out approximately 1/4 c. of the warm milk mixture and stir into beaten eggs.  Beat egg mixture together with the sugar/cornstarch/salt mixture - mix until there are NO lumps!

3. As soon as the milk boils, whisk egg mixture into milk.  Whisk like crazy until the pudding heats enough to bubble.  Take away from heat immediately and whisk in margarine and vanilla until margarine melts completely.  Pour hot pudding into shell.  Let pie sit until pudding completely cool.

Topping:
1. Whip cream, sugar, and vanilla until nearly stiff peaks form.  Spread on top of chilled pie.  Sprinkle the remaining peanut butter crumbs on whipped topping.

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It was great to spend the weekend with the Leatherman clan.  Everyone loved the pie (it happens to be several family members' favorite)!  I am excited to try making this on my own soon!