If you ask me, periwinkles are cute, charming little flowers.  A bunch of them would look great on your dinner table this weekend as a sweet and simple centerpiece.  They’re growing everywhere at the moment (in and around LA, anyway).

And what’s more, little purple periwinkles will nicely complement the looks of this beautiful Peanut Butter S’mores Meringue Pie.

This pie.  Oh, this pie!  OMG, this pie!  It’s insane!  In the best way ever!

Do you like s’mores?  Well, I mean, you better like them.  If you and I are to remain on good terms!

I have a great idea for you.  This weekend, after you delight your guests with Steak and Potato Taquitos with Roasted Corn Salsa, rather than lighting up your fireplace and giving everyone foil, metal skewers, chocolate, marshmallows, and crumbling graham crackers — make this Peanut Butter S’mores Meringue Pie!

P.S. Check out the Friday Flowers Gallery to see what Friday Flowers is all about! 

Peanut Butter S’mores Meringue Pie

 

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Total time

30 mins

 

Ingredients

• 1 cup heavy cream
• ¾ pound finely chopped milk chocolate
• ½ cup creamy, salted peanut butter, at room temperature
• 2 cups finely ground graham cracker crumbs (about 12 whole graham crackers)
• ½ cup (1 stick) melted, unsalted butter
• ⅓ cup plus 1 cup granulated sugar
• 4 egg whites (from large eggs)

Instructions

1. Scald the cream in a small saucepan over medium heat. Tiny bubbles will appear on the edges of the pan -- it should be very hot, but not boiling.
2. In a medium-sized mixing bowl, pour the hot cream over the finely chopped chocolate and let it sit for about 4 minutes. Use a spoon to stir to blend the mixture until the cream is fully incorporated. Then, add the peanut butter and stir until it's completely smooth. Set this aside and let it come to room temperature, about 20 minutes or so.
3. Meanwhile, add the graham crackers to a food processor fitted with the blade attachment and blend until they are finely ground. Add the melted butter and ⅓ cup of the sugar and blend just to combine.
4. Pour the graham cracker mixture into a 10-inch pie plate. Use your fingers to gently press it down evenly on the bottom and edges, to form the crust.
5. Then pour the cooled chocolate-peanut butter mixture into the crust. Place this in the refrigerator for at least 45 minutes.
6. When the pie almost done setting in the refrigerator, make the meringue.
7. Fill medium saucepan with a few inches of water and place it over medium heat, and bring the water to a simmer. Then in a heatproof bowl, combine the egg whites and remaining 1 cup of sugar. Place this bowl on top of the pan with the simmering water. Whisk constantly until the sugar has dissolved and the mixture is very warm, about 4 minutes. Now pour this into a stand mixer or an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, and whip, starting on low speed, gradually increasing to high until stiff, glossy peaks form, about 7 minutes.
8. Remove the pie from the refrigerator and immediately pour the meringue on top of the chocolate. Use a rubber spatula to get every last bit, and then smooth out the top surface on the pie, or make pretty patterns!
9. Use a small kitchen blow torch or the broiler to brown the sugar. If you are using the torch, simply turn it on medium-high and evenly go around until the meringue becomes golden everywhere you want it to. If you are using the broiler, keep a very careful eye on it! It will brown quickly!
10. Serve the amazing pie right away!

Notes

Would I ever, ever leave my super sweet, gluten-free son out of this dessert?! Never! To make a gluten-free version, I use Kinninnick's Smoreables -- they're a good, gluten-free graham cracker. (Smoreables are about half the size of regular graham crackers, so double the amount.)

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Nutrition Information

Serving size: Serves 12

3.3.3077

Timeline:
Up to 1 day and at least 1-1/2 hours ahead: Make the crust and chocolate-peanut butter mixture, assemble this portion in the pie plate, and refrigerate.
About 20 to 30 minutes ahead: Make the meringue, add it to the pie, and torch it.
Even though I find this the most divine right after the meringue is torched, it’s still amazing the next day!