This post is dedicated to our fellow food blogger Jennifer Perillo, of In Jennie’s Kitchen, who has inspired us with her lovely website, generous spirit and fantastic recipes. Her husband died suddenly and Jennie’s request of the world was to make a peanut butter pie to give to someone you love. Peanut Butter Pie was Mikey’s favorite and in his honor I created this version to share with all of you. I hope you will make it, enjoy it with someone you love and hold Jennifer and her family in your hearts.

In a food processor, break up the Oreos into fine crumbs. Add the butter and process until the mixture comes together slightly. Divide the cookie crust between the pie plates and press it firmly against the bottom and sides of the dish. Set in the refrigerator to firm up.

Beat the cream cheese in a stand mixer on medium speed using the paddle attachment, until it is light and fluffy. Add the peanut butter and confectioners’ sugar; continue beating on low speed for about 1 minute.  Add the condensed milk, sour cream, vanilla and lemon juice, and mix until smooth. Add the melted and cooled milk chocolate and mix until evenly distributed. Fold in half the whipped cream to lighten the batter, and then fold in the remaining cream until it is evenly distributed. Pour into the chilled crusts. Place the pies in the refrigerator to chill uncovered for about an hour.

In a small saucepot heat the heavy cream on low to a gentle simmer. Turn off the heat and add the chopped chocolate, swirl together gently and then let it sit for one minute. Gently whisk until smooth. Allow to cool slightly, then spoon the ganache over the chilled peanut butter filling. Return the pies to the refrigerator to chill for another hour.

In a large skillet mix together the raw peanuts, sugar and salt. Cook over medium-low heat until the sugar begins to melt and the nuts start to toast slightly, stirring constantly. Once the sugar starts to melt, turn the heat to low and cook until the nuts are lightly caramelized. The mixture may smoke a little, as the nuts get darker. Pour the nuts onto a silicone mat to cool. Once they are cool, you can chop them into small pieces or leave them whole.

Once the pies are thoroughly chilled (about 2 hours or overnight) top with the whipped cream and candied peanuts.

• Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie -- Food Network
• A Peanut Butter Pie in Memory of Mikey – Eatocracy
• Baking for Others: Peanut Butter Pie – BGSK
• Not Nearly Enough Peanut Butter Pie – Running With Tweezers
• Sharing Mikey’s Peanut Butter Pie – Tastes Better With Friends
• Life: A Birthday and a Goodbye – Tartelette
• Peanut Butter Pie and Love – I Am Mommy
• Love, Life and Peanut Butter Pie – Eat.Drink.Smile
• Peanut Butter Pie, Gluten-Free – Gluten-Free Girl
• Peanut Butter Pretzel Tart – Cake Duchess
• Individual Peanut Butter Tarts – My Kitchen Addiction
• Creamy Peanut Butter Pie for Mikey – Dula Notes
• For Jennie and Mikey: A Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie – Healthy Delicious
• Peanut Butter Pie for Mikey and Jennie – The Little Kitchen
• Creamy Peanut Butter Pie Friday – Confessions of a Recipe Junkie
• Creamy Peanut Butter Pie – Creative Culinary
• Peanut Butter Pie – Cook With 5 Kids
• Fluff-a-Nutter Icebox Pie – Stir and Scribble
• Creamy Peanut Butter Pie – Chocolate & Carrots
• Peanut Butter Pie and the Past Few Days – Little Miss Dids
• Peanut Butter Pie for Jennie and Mikey – SAC Foodies
• Agni’s Flames & Creamy Peanut Butter Pie – Panfusine
• Peanut Butter Pie for Mikey – Savour Fare
• A Tahini Chocolate Pie for Mikey – Sodium Girl
• Peanut Butter Pie Friday – Omnivore 100 Project
• Creamy Peanut Butter Pie for Mikey – Eat Drink Man Woman Dogs Cat
• [Gluten-free] Peanut Butter Pie for Mikey – With Style & Grace
• Dating My Husband: Peanut Butter Pie – Not Without Salt
• Baking for Loved Ones: Lemon Chess Pie – In Good Taste
• Peanut Butter Pie for Mikey – London Foodie in New York

Zoë François, author of Artisan Bread in Five Minutes a Day and Healthy Bread in Five Minutes a Day , studied at the Culinary Institute of America in New York. She now calls Minneapolis her home, where she has worked with some of the top talent in the culinary world — Steven Brown, Andrew Zimmern and many chefs at the D’Amico company. In addition to writing, Zoë teaches baking classes and consults at restaurants, and she maintains her baking blog, zoebakes.com . Her third book, Artisan Pizza and Flatbreads in Five Minutes a Day, comes out in October .