Prepare to indulge in a dessert that dreams are made of: this cool, creamy, and undeniably delicious Butterfinger Pie. This no-bake wonder is incredibly simple to whip up, making it the perfect sweet treat for any occasion. Whether you’re looking to use up leftover Halloween candy or simply craving that irresistible peanut butter and chocolate crunch, this pie is an excellent excuse to grab some Butterfingers and get baking—or rather, not baking!
Imagine a velvety smooth peanut butter and cream cheese filling, generously studded with chunks of crisp, buttery Butterfinger candy, all nestled within a decadent chocolate Oreo crust. Every forkful offers a delightful contrast of textures and an explosion of classic candy flavor. This pie isn’t just a dessert; it’s an experience, a celebration of one of America’s most beloved candy bars transformed into an unforgettable sweet.
Why You’ll Fall in Love with This Butterfinger Pie
There are countless reasons why this Butterfinger Pie deserves a permanent spot in your recipe collection. First and foremost, its no-bake nature makes it incredibly appealing, especially during warmer months or when oven space is limited. It’s a fantastic choice for beginner bakers or anyone looking for a stress-free dessert solution that still delivers on impressive flavor.
The combination of rich, tangy cream cheese with creamy peanut butter creates a truly luxurious base for the filling. But the real star, of course, is the Butterfinger candy. Its unique flaky, crunchy texture and distinct peanut butter-chocolate flavor elevate this pie from good to extraordinary. Unlike some candy additions that can get lost, Butterfingers maintain their satisfying crunch, ensuring every bite is an adventure for your taste buds.
Furthermore, this pie is a certified crowd-pleaser. Its nostalgic flavors appeal to both kids and adults, making it ideal for family gatherings, potlucks, holidays, or simply a weekend treat. It’s a visually appealing dessert too, especially with a generous sprinkle of extra crushed Butterfingers on top, hinting at the deliciousness within.
The Unrivaled Charm of Butterfingers in Dessert
Butterfingers aren’t just for snacking; they’re truly magical when incorporated into desserts. Their unique texture — a crispy, flaky, peanut-buttery core enrobed in chocolate — holds up beautifully in creamy fillings and baked goods alike. When crushed, that iconic Butterfinger flavor disperses evenly throughout the dessert, ensuring a burst of familiar deliciousness in every mouthful.
From a delightful Butterfinger Lush to cookies and cakes, Butterfingers consistently deliver. Their ability to retain their crunch adds a crucial textural element that many other candies simply can’t match. This makes them a top-tier ingredient for transforming simple recipes into extraordinary, candy-bar-inspired masterpieces. With this pie, you get that satisfying crunch alongside a smooth, decadent filling – a match made in dessert heaven.
A Deep Dive into the Simple Ingredients
The beauty of this Butterfinger Pie lies in its straightforward ingredient list, which combines pantry staples with everyone’s favorite candy bar to create something truly spectacular.
- Cream Cheese: The foundation of our luscious filling. Use full-fat, softened cream cheese for the best texture and richness. It provides a delightful tang that balances the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Creamy Peanut Butter: The essential partner to Butterfingers. For optimal results and a smooth, consistent filling, opt for a no-stir peanut butter brand like Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter, with its tendency to separate, might alter the pie’s texture.
- Vanilla Extract: A crucial flavor enhancer that brings warmth and depth to the filling, complementing both the peanut butter and chocolate notes.
- Powdered Sugar: Also known as confectioners’ sugar, this fine-grained sweetener dissolves smoothly into the filling, preventing any granular texture.
- Butterfinger Candy Bars: The star of the show! A bag of fun-sized bars is perfect for crushing. Remember to reserve a few extra for that irresistible sprinkle on top.
- Cool Whip (or Homemade Whipped Cream): This light and airy whipped topping folds into the mixture, giving the pie its signature fluffy and creamy consistency. If you prefer, a homemade sweetened whipped cream can be used for an even richer experience (you’ll need about 3 cups).
- Pre-made Chocolate Oreo or Graham Cracker Crust: For ultimate convenience, a store-bought crust is a lifesaver. The chocolate Oreo crust pairs exceptionally well with the Butterfinger and peanut butter flavors, but a chocolate graham cracker crust would also be delicious. You could also easily make your own if you have a favorite recipe!
How To Make This Irresistible No-Bake Butterfinger Pie
Crafting this dream pie is surprisingly straightforward. Follow these simple steps for a dessert that looks and tastes like it took hours, but only takes minutes of active prep time.
- Prepare the Base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the softened cream cheese, creamy peanut butter, and vanilla extract. Beat these ingredients together with an electric mixer until the mixture is completely smooth and creamy. Ensure there are no lumps of cream cheese for a truly silky filling.
Beat the cream cheese, peanut butter, and vanilla until smooth. - Sweeten It Up: Gradually add the powdered sugar to the peanut butter and cream cheese mixture. Continue beating with the electric mixer until the sugar is fully incorporated and the mixture is smooth and light.
Incorporate the powdered sugar for a perfectly sweet base. - Fold in the Crunch: Take your crushed Butterfinger candy bars (remember to set aside a couple for garnish!). Gently fold these delicious, crunchy pieces into the peanut butter filling. Use a spatula for this step to maintain some of the candy’s texture.
Gently fold in the crushed Butterfingers. - Lighten the Filling: Carefully fold in the thawed Cool Whip. This step adds airiness and a lighter texture to the rich filling. Be gentle to keep the volume of the Cool Whip.
Fold in Cool Whip to create a light and airy texture. - Assemble and Garnish: Transfer the prepared filling into your store-bought Oreo or chocolate graham cracker crust. Spread it evenly with your spatula. Finally, sprinkle the reserved crushed Butterfinger pieces generously over the top for a beautiful and delicious finish.
Spread the creamy filling into the pie crust and top with more Butterfingers. - Chill to Perfection: This is a crucial step! Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow it to set properly. Chilling ensures the pie slices cleanly and tastes its absolute best.
Pro Tips for a Flawless No-Bake Butterfinger Pie
- Temperature Matters: Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature. This is key for achieving a smooth, lump-free filling that blends effortlessly with the peanut butter.
- Choose Your Peanut Butter Wisely: For the best and most consistent results, use a “no-stir” creamy peanut butter such as Jif or Skippy. Natural peanut butter, which often separates and has a different texture, may not yield the same creamy consistency.
- Mixing Tools: Both a hand-held electric mixer or an electric stand mixer will work wonders for blending the filling ingredients thoroughly.
- Crushing Butterfingers: For easy crushing, place the fun-sized Butterfinger bars in a Ziploc bag and gently crush them with a rolling pin or the back of a sturdy spoon. Don’t pulverize them; you want a mix of fine crumbs and small crunchy pieces for texture.
- Homemade Whipped Cream Alternative: If you prefer to skip the Cool Whip, you can easily make your own whipped cream. You’ll need about 3 cups of freshly whipped cream to achieve the right consistency and volume for the pie filling. Lightly sweeten it before folding in.
- Patience is a Virtue (Chilling Time): Do not skimp on the refrigeration time. A minimum of 4 hours is essential for the pie to fully set, allowing for clean, beautiful slices and the best possible texture. Overnight chilling is even better.
Customization Ideas & Variations
While this Butterfinger Pie is perfect as is, it’s also wonderfully versatile. Feel free to get creative with these delicious variations:
- Different Crusts: Instead of an Oreo crust, try a classic graham cracker crust, a Nilla wafer crust, or even a pretzel crust for a sweet and salty twist.
- Extra Toppings: Drizzle with chocolate fudge sauce, caramel sauce, or a light dusting of cocoa powder before serving. A dollop of extra whipped cream on each slice never hurts!
- Mix in More Candy: While Butterfinger is king here, you could experiment by folding in a small amount of other crushed candies that complement peanut butter and chocolate, like Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups or Snickers.
- Mini Pies: For individual servings, use mini pie crusts or small ramekins to create adorable Butterfinger Pie cups.
Serving Suggestions and Occasions
This Butterfinger Pie is undeniably rich and sweet, so a little truly does go a long way. Serve it in modest slices to savor its intense flavor without feeling overwhelmed. It pairs wonderfully with a cup of coffee, a glass of milk, or even a scoop of vanilla ice cream for an extra touch of decadence.
This dessert shines at virtually any gathering. It’s a fantastic option for holiday feasts like Thanksgiving or Christmas, as demonstrated by our reader testimonial below. It’s equally perfect for summer barbecues, birthday parties, potlucks, or simply as a special weekend indulgence. Its impressive appearance and unforgettable taste are sure to earn you rave reviews!
Storage and Make-Ahead Advice
One of the many benefits of a no-bake pie is its excellent make-ahead potential. You can prepare this pie a day or two in advance, allowing the flavors to meld and the filling to set perfectly, which often improves the taste and texture.
To store your Butterfinger Pie, simply wrap it tightly with plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Place it in the refrigerator, where it will stay fresh and delicious for up to 5 days. For longer storage, this pie can also be frozen! Wrap it very well in plastic wrap and then foil, and store it in the freezer for up to 1-2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
What Our Readers Are Saying
Kita raves: “Made this for Thanksgiving this year and it was a huge hit! It was the first of the desserts to get wiped out! It’s very good and will definitely become a staple around my house and it has made “the cut” for the family cookbook.” ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Here are some common questions about making this delightful Butterfinger Pie:
- Can I use natural peanut butter? While possible, it’s generally not recommended for this recipe. Natural peanut butter tends to be runnier and can separate, which might affect the final texture and stability of the pie. For best results, stick with a no-stir, creamy peanut butter.
- How do I crush the Butterfinger bars? The easiest way is to place them in a sturdy plastic bag (like a Ziploc) and gently hit them with a rolling pin, a meat tenderizer, or the bottom of a heavy pan. You want a mix of crumbs and small chunks, not a fine powder.
- Can I make this pie ahead of time? Absolutely! In fact, making it a day in advance is often recommended as it allows the pie to firm up completely and the flavors to deepen. Just be sure to keep it tightly covered in the refrigerator.
- Can I freeze Butterfinger Pie? Yes! This pie freezes beautifully. Wrap the pie tightly in plastic wrap, then an additional layer of aluminum foil, and freeze for up to 1-2 months. Thaw it in the refrigerator for several hours or overnight before serving.
- What if I don’t have an electric mixer? While an electric mixer makes the job much easier and ensures a smooth consistency, you can technically make this with a strong whisk and some elbow grease. Just be prepared for a bit of a workout!
Explore More Easy No-Bake Pies
If you love the simplicity and deliciousness of this no-bake Butterfinger Pie, you’ll surely enjoy these other effortless, no-bake dessert creations:
- Nutter Butter Pie
- Nutella Oreo Pie
- No-Bake Butterscotch Pie
- No-Bake Nutella Pie
More Butterfinger Bliss: Other Recipes to Try
Can’t get enough of that unique Butterfinger flavor? Indulge your cravings with these additional Butterfinger-inspired recipes:
- Butterfinger Cheesecake Bars
- Butterfinger Poke Cake
- Butterfinger Banana Muffins
- Slow Cooker Butterfinger Cake
- Butterfinger Lush
- No-Bake Butterfinger Oatmeal Cookies
Butterfinger Pie Recipe
By Christin Mahrlig
15 mins
15 mins
8
Print Recipe
This cool and creamy Butterfinger Pie is the stuff dreams are made of. It’s a no-bake dessert that’s so easy to make.
Equipment
-
Hand-held electric mixer
Ingredients
- 1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese, room temperature
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
- 1 (12.5-ounce) bag fun-sized Butterfinger bars, crushed (reserve 2 bars to sprinkle on top)
- 1 (8-ounce) container Cool Whip, thawed
- 1 store-bought Oreo or chocolate graham cracker crust
Instructions
- Place cream cheese and peanut butter in a large mixing bowl. Add vanilla and beat with an electric mixer until smooth.
- Beat in powdered sugar until smooth.
- Fold in crushed Butterfingers.
- Fold in Cool Whip.
- Spread filling in crust. Sprinkle reserved Butterfingers on top.
- Refrigerate at least 4 hours before serving.
Nutrition
Carbohydrates: 81g |
Protein: 10g |
Fat: 35g |
Saturated Fat: 16g |
Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g |
Monounsaturated Fat: 11g |
Trans Fat: 2g |
Cholesterol: 29mg |
Sodium: 389mg |
Potassium: 283mg |
Fiber: 2g |
Sugar: 58g |
Vitamin A: 402IU |
Calcium: 72mg |
Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this?
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This Butterfinger Pie is more than just a dessert; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients, combined with a beloved candy bar, can create something truly extraordinary. Its ease of preparation makes it accessible to everyone, while its rich flavor and satisfying crunch guarantee it will be a hit at any gathering. So, go ahead, treat yourself and your loved ones to a slice of pure, no-bake bliss!
Recipe Source: Just A Pinch
Originally published August 22, 2017.