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Slice of pecan pie with caramel filling and toasted pecans on top.

Payday Pie


  • Author: Samantha Brooks
  • Total Time: 4 hours 45 minutes
  • Yield: 8 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

If you are a fan of the classic salty-sweet candy bar, this Payday Pie is about to become your new favorite dessert. This recipe features a crisp, golden crust filled with a velvety peanut butter and marshmallow center, topped off with a mountain of crunchy peanuts and a rich, homemade caramel drizzle. It is the ultimate treat for peanut butter lovers, offering a perfect balance of salty crunch and sweet, creamy indulgence in every single slice.


Ingredients

Scale

For the Crust

  • 1 unbaked pie crust (store-bought or homemade)

For the Filling

  • 10 ounces peanut butter chips
  • 1 (14-ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter
  • 2 cups miniature marshmallows

For the Caramel Topping

  • 1 1/2 cups dry roasted unsalted peanuts
  • 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 3 tablespoons salted butter, cubed
  • 1/4 cup heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Instructions

Step 1: Blind Bake the Crust
Preheat your oven to 400°F. Roll out your crust and transfer it to a 9-inch pie plate. Crimp the edges and prick the bottom with a fork. Line the crust with parchment paper and fill with weights. Bake for 15 minutes, remove the weights and paper, then bake for another 15 minutes until the crust is golden brown.

Step 2: Prepare the Filling
In a saucepan over medium heat, combine the peanut butter chips, sweetened condensed milk, and 3 tablespoons of salted butter. Stir constantly until melted. Once smooth, stir in the miniature marshmallows until they are fully incorporated and the mixture is gooey.

Step 3: Assemble the Base
Pour the creamy peanut butter mixture into your pre-baked crust and spread it evenly. Immediately sprinkle the peanuts over the top so they adhere to the warm filling.

Step 4: Make the Caramel Topping
In a small saucepan, melt the granulated sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly until it turns a deep amber color. Stir in the butter cubes until melted, then add the heavy cream. Let the mixture boil for exactly 1 minute.

Step 5: Final Touch
Remove the caramel from the heat and stir in the vanilla and salt. Let it cool for 5 minutes, then drizzle it evenly over the peanuts.

Step 6: Set
Refrigerate the pie for at least 4 hours before slicing. This is essential for the filling to firm up properly.

Notes

Storage Instructions: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Due to the dairy and marshmallow content, the pie should not be left at room temperature for extended periods.

The Amber Stage: When making the caramel, wait until the sugar is a true amber color similar to a copper penny. This ensures a deep, toasted flavor rather than just sweet melted sugar.

Peanut Variety: If you only have salted peanuts on hand, omit the kosher salt from the caramel topping recipe to prevent the pie from becoming overly salty.

  • Prep Time: 15 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 1 slice
  • Calories: 540
  • Sugar: 42g
  • Sodium: 380mg
  • Fat: 32g
  • Saturated Fat: 15g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 17g
  • Trans Fat: 0g
  • Carbohydrates: 56g
  • Fiber: 3g
  • Protein: 12g
  • Cholesterol: 45mg

Keywords: payday pie, peanut butter pie recipe, candy bar dessert, homemade caramel pie, peanut butter marshmallow filling, salty sweet dessert