a creamy peanut butter pie for mikey

a few days back, i noticed tastespotting being inundated with peanut butter pies. i assumed it was some daring baker's challenge and thought nothing of it. then, @tastespotting tweeted:

so i clicked one of the posts, and it talked about jennifer from "In Jennie's Kitchen". it took me to this post. seriously. i cried and cried....and then i thought about my dad and cried some more. jennifer's husband passed away unexpectedly, and there was an outpouring of the community asking how they can show support. jennie wrote: 

"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. Then hug them like there's no tomorrow because today is the only guarantee we can count on."

this pie's for you jennie, your children, your husband mikey.....and my beloved dad.

auditory pairing: band of horses - the funeral

creamy peanut butter pie

adapted from in jennie's kitchen

yields 8-10 servings

1 ready-made chocolate pie shell

4oz semi sweet chocolate chips, plus more for decorating

1/4 c chopped hazelnuts

1 c heavy cream

8oz neufchatel cheese

1 c creamy peanut butter

1 c confectioner's sugar

14oz can sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 tsp freshly squeezed lemon juice

1. melt 4oz chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between until all chocolate is melted

2. pour over ready-made pie crust and spread to the edges

3. sprinkle the chopped hazelnuts over the melted chocolate, place in fridge to cool

4. pour the cream into a bowl and beat until stiff peaks form, place in fridge

5. in a large bowl, add neufchatel and peanut butter. beat on medium until light and fluffy

6. reduce speed to low and gradually beat in confectioner's sugar

7. add the sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and lemon juice, increase speed to medium and beat until all ingredients are combined and smooth

8. stir in 1/3 of the whipped cream into the mixture, the fold in the remaining whipped cream

9. pour the filling into the prepared crust

10. drizzle melted chocolate over, or shaved chocolate, or just add some chocolate chips (i shaved some chocolate and added some chips)

11. refrigerate for 3hrs or overnight