With Dad and Dave’s birthday a couple days out, I had to up my peanut butter game.

Think brain, work hands.

With all said and done, classic is classic for a reason.

Imagine:

➤ a cinnamon graham cracker crust

➤ cradling whipped dark chocolate peanut butter

➤ topped with cinnamon whipped cream

➤ a topple of peanuts and peanut butter cups

➤ and a drizzle of dark chocolate

Do you believe the theory of ending up with a version of your parent? I say, true. From the day dad and Dave met twenty-four years ago, the two haven’t missed a beat. While they differ in ways, similarities can’t be denied.

Do you believe in astrological signs? I wonder if dad and Dave parallel because I’m looking for my dad in Dave or because they’re both Virgos? Maybe some of both. Whichever the case doesn’t make a difference, all that matters is they’re two of the fun-niest people I know, so keep me on my toes and rolling.

Dad’s birthday was different this year. Dave and I have only missed one due to hurricane delay and actually were supposed to be out of the country this year. The silver lining in our cancelled trip was being with him on his day but then Dave had contact with Sandy (at work) who has the virus. Test one for Dave was negative but two was scheduled on Dave’s birthday, which is a few after dad’s. Dad doesn’t care about the virus, but we care for dad. Dad’s a grown man and should make his own decisions but since this is a different animal and involves others, we made the decision for dad too.

With care, dad’s traditional meatballs and rice were made and I delivered them and his frozen chocolate peanut butter pie. The instant pot never sealed properly so while good, the meatballs weren’t perfect as there wasn’t enough sauce, but dad was still super stoked on both, but I could tell he missed his drinking, shooting the sh*t, and talking shop buddy.

While different, dad’s birthday was good in other ways, and with how time passes in the blink of an eye, we’ll be gathered around their next peanut butter creation in no time.

Peanut butter love. Given birthday after birthday. Another year, yet a reaction like no other. You and me, a together best. How? Pie’s energy asked the brain to step aside, then guided hands in a way the mind could never.

Thanks Pie, I needed you extra this year.

The Makes

• Cinnamon Graham Cracker Crust 
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Filling 
• Cinnamon Whipped Cream 
• Peanut Butter Cups, Chopped Peanuts, Chocolate Drizzle 

Cinnamon Graham Cracker Crust

• homemade or store-bought, either way, bake and cool.
• if making our recipe, you’ll have a little extra which can be sprinkled on top or snacked on too ; )

Chocolate Peanut Butter Filling 

Both chopped or chips work well.

Warm heavy cream (whole milk can be used too) and sugar.

Remove from heat.

Stir in peanut butter, chocolate and vanilla until like butta. You know what I mean.

Transfer the chocolate/peanut butter mixture to a medium/large bowl.

Cool to room temperature. 

Want to Cool Faster?

Place the inner bowl over ice.

Faster? Well okay, put double bowls in the fridge.

All Together Now

Cinnamon Whipped Mascarpone Cream (if mascarpone isn’t on hand, equivalent heavy whipping cream is perfect!)

Incrementally into the chocolate, the beautiful chocolate.

Layer whipped chocolate/peanut butter filling over the graham cracker crust

Smooth and freeze for ten minutes.

The bowl and beaters are yours for the licking.

Add remaining whipped cream,

Scatter with delectables,

Admire.

So everything stays in place, freeze for 10-15.

Tent loosely with foil and freeze for 3-4 hours or overnight.

More chocolate? Melt and drizzle.

Have you noticed? Frozen pie eaters are particular about what stage they partake. At least I am ; )

HOW TO MAKE A CLEAN SLICE

Fill a glass with hot water.

Set a medium dish or paper towel to the side.

Dip a chef’s knife into the water for a few seconds.

Careful to wipe, then cut straight down.

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If you like this, you may like:

Double Chocolate Truffle Pie

Frozen Peanut Butter Pie – Birthday Edition

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I’m back in school, does that mean I act like I’m back in school? Yes.

I declared Dave’s birthday, “Big! We’re going big!” But it was a Tuesday… How big could we go on a work night?

So, we pulled an all nighter on a school night. Unlike when my best friend Amy and I did that in high school, my bounce didn’t back like it used to. Up until three, four, even five, I’m okay. all night, my body said, “whoa now!” Oh well, all night shenanigans like bats flying to twinkly night light into sunrise and Rainey treeing a bear (poor bear) was worth the recovery.

Do you feel younger, older, or your age? I feel younger but am reminded by the crick in my knee while running down the stairs, the tiny letters I can’t make out up close and the mass amounts of grey hair. Tiny potatoes, tiny, tiny potatoes.

“Age is a privilege denied to many.”