12 Simple Peanut Butter Dessert Recipes

Miracle Peanut Butter Crunch
Photo: © Tara Fisher

We always keep a couple jars of natural peanut butter in the pantry; it's one of our favorite wholesome (and versatile!) ingredients. Whether you're in the mood for a crunchy peanut butter cookie, an easy and delicious no-bake pie, or something even richer — think: peanut butter chocolate layer cake or warm peanut butter-stuffed molten cakes — we've got you covered. Here are some of our most popular peanut butter dessert recipes to get you started.

01 of 12

Peanut Butter Crispy Rice Treats

Peanut butter Rice Krispie treats

Using puffed brown rice cereal is the secret to pastry chef Elisabeth Prueitt's crisp and chewy sweets. Feel free to purchase your favorite brand.

02 of 12

Double-Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie

Double Chocolate-Peanut Butter Pie
© Rob Howard

This incredibly chocolaty and creamy quick-bake peanut butter pie is chef Vitaly Paley's grown-up version of a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. The hardest part is waiting for the filling to thoroughly chill in the fridge.

03 of 12

Crunchy Milk Chocolate-Peanut Butter Layer Cake

Crunchy Milk Chocolate—Peanut Butter Layer Cake
© Tina Rupp

The genius of this layer cake is its extraordinarily crunchy filling, made with almonds, salted peanuts, creamy peanut butter, chocolate, and Rice Krispies. The silky milk chocolate ganache frosting almost pushes the recipe over the top.

04 of 12

Miracle Peanut Butter Crunch

Miracle Peanut Butter Crunch
© Tara Fisher

This flaky candy combines layers of crisp caramel, creamy peanut butter, and crunchy peanuts. Incredibly, it takes just 20 minutes to make and the only special equipment you need is a heatproof candy thermometer. Be sure to buy the freshest, highest-quality peanut butter and peanuts you can find.

05 of 12

Spelt Crêpes with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache

Spelt Crêpes with Chocolate Peanut Butter Ganache
© Sarah Bolla

These spelt crêpes have a delicately nutty flavor and light texture. They're delicious served on the sweeter side with a warm drizzling of ganache. Adding just a little bit of peanut butter to chocolate will never fail to wow.

06 of 12

Crunchy Peanut Butter Cookies

Crunchy Peanut Butter Cookies
© Tina Rupp

Peanut butter binds these super-nutty flourless cookies from Southern cook Elizabeth Woodson, a former art director at F&W.

07 of 12

Double Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Filling

Double Dark Chocolate Cupcakes with Peanut Butter Filling
© Dana Gallagher

These tender chocolate cupcakes are filled with a creamy, salty peanut butter mixture. The tops get dipped twice in a silky, rich chocolate ganache frosting.

08 of 12

Banana–Chocolate Chip Snack Cake with Salted Peanut Butter Frosting

Banana–Chocolate Chip Snack Cake with Salted Peanut Butter Frosting
Antonis Achilleos

Banana and peanut butter is a match made in heaven. "The fruity banana batter is bolstered by browned butter for caramel-like richness that’s echoed by the butterscotch notes of brown sugar. Chocolate chips make an appearance, too," recipe developer and food editor Ann Taylor Pittman says. "As for the salted peanut butter frosting, well, be still my heart!"

09 of 12

Molten Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Filling

Molten Chocolate Cake with Peanut Butter Filling
© James Baigrie

This riff on the ever-popular molten chocolate cake is made possibly even more decadent with a warm peanut butter filling. It's ready in just 40 minutes.

10 of 12

Peanut Butter Chai Pie

Peanut Butter Chai Pie
Photo: Victor Protasio / Food Stylist Torie Cox /Prop Stylist Claire Spollen

Peanut butter and cream cheese are whipped into an airy cloud and folded together with aromatic chai-spiced whipped cream in this dreamy and truly effortless no-bake pie. Naturally sweetened with honey, the nutty filling is packed with spices inspired by a warming cup of chai.

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Peanut Punch Fraco

Peanut-Punch-Fraco-FT-recipe0519.jpg
Victor Protasio

Fraco is a warm-weather treat in St. Croix of the U.S. Virgin Islands, typically made from ice shaved by hand and topped with a sweet syrup. Here, creamy, rum-spiked peanut punch is blended with shaved or crushed ice for a sweet fraco adults will love.

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Peanut Butter Cookie Moon Pies

Peanut Butter Cookie Moon Pies
© Kamran Siddiqi

For these treats, gluten-free peanut butter cookies are sandwiched with marshmallow cream and dipped in melted chocolate. For a less-sweet moon pie, use dark chocolate instead of milk.

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