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pie is love

Recipe: creamy peanut butter pie

Doomed, was I.

By the time my packing was done, I had to be awake in 45 minutes to head to the airport. I debated whether or not to sleep, because sometimes a short sleep like that can make you feel worse than no sleep at all. It can make you feel pukey in the wee hours of the morning when no one else is awake and when you really don’t want to be either.

A mere 6 hours earlier I was in Boulder shooting the Andrew Bird concert at Chautauqua Auditorium. His is the kind of mesmerizing and dynamic performance that can transport you away from the worries of the day, even if only for a little while. And it did just that.




[You can see the rest of the photo set on the photo blog.]

But there was a flight to catch and a promise to keep.


crushed (gluten-free) cookies

melting butter



On Tuesday, Jennie posted a recipe for Creamy Peanut Butter Pie. It was her Mikey’s favorite. She invited all of us to make and share this pie to celebrate her beloved today, the day of his memorial service.

mix together for the crust

press into the bottom of the pan



I tweeted that I would be on travel and in the backcountry, but that I’d make the pie soon. Then sweet Shauna said we could make it together when I saw her Thursday.

That’s how it should be made and shared – with loved ones.


melt some chocolate

spread over the crust

sprinkle peanuts



My head hurt and my stomach was empty, but as soon as the plane touched down in Seattle, I felt renewed. As we crossed the water by ferry, the wind carried away my stresses. When we arrived in front of the house, Shauna, Danny, and Lucy were there to greet us. Shauna met me in the middle of the road and we hugged and wept.

shauna’s whipped cashew cream (this is really good)

blend the peanut butter, cream cheese, sweetened condensed milk, lemon, and vanilla

fold in the whipped cashew cream



There was much to discuss as well as a pie to make and shoot before I had to catch my ferry back to Seattle. Shauna made a gluten-free version while I helped and documented the steps.

pour onto the pie shell

spread evenly and refrigerate



I left before the pie had set and was ready to serve, but that didn’t matter so much. What mattered were the loving words spoken of Jennie and Mikey, the discussion of how to help, and exclamations of “ooh, that’s good!” after tasting the pie filling.

This pie is for Jennie. This pie is for Mikey. This pie is for all of us.


for mikey (photo by shauna)



You can get the recipe In Jennie’s Kitchen.

17 nibbles at “pie is love”

  1. Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says:

    I have read about Jennifer’s loss and I am soo, so sorry. My deepest sympathies to her and her family.

    On lighter matters, that PB pie looks divine!

  2. Perfecting Pru says:

    I’m making the pie this weekend – just couldn’t find the time today. It looks wonderful and I think that this is a fantastic way to honour Jennie’s husband.

  3. Nisrine M. says:

    What a delightful pie. I love how easy the crust is and that it’s GF.

  4. Cooking with Michele says:

    I got goosebumps this morning running through my blog feeds and seeing peanut butter pies showing up – how wonderful to see our community of food bloggers come together to pay their respects. I’m so sorry for everyone’s loss.

  5. Mollie says:

    much much love to all… and so fitting to make it with ones you love

  6. Margie says:

    Beautiful tribute.

    I’m off to get the remaining ingredients. Thinking of Jennie and her family.

    Peace.

  7. Sara says:

    I learned about Jennie when I saw you, Shauna and Diane tweeting earlier this week about Mikey. My heart goes out to her and the family—so sad. I’m making this pie tonight and here in the very near future I’ll finally finish up my F&L recap post, I can’t forget. Thanks for sharing this post with us.

  8. Rocky Mountain Woman says:

    I’m going to make a pie for Mikey and everyone I love this weekend….

  9. Grace says:

    I made a PB pie for Mikey and a cherry pie for my wife. Jennie’s regret over having put off making a pie for Mikey really hit me hard.

  10. Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pie | The FN Dish – Food Network Blog says:

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  11. Natalie says:

    I’m going to make a pie for my husband Mikey tomorrow :)

  12. Denise-EPL says:

    Lovely. It feels amazing to make and giveaway pie for friends to enjoy.

  13. Peggy says:

    I made this pie this weekend with my granddaughter for Mikey and to spend time with my grand daughter. It is delicious. Too rich and sweet for us to eat all of it so the people at my work are enjoying it also. My deepest sympathy goes out to Jennie and her family.

  14. Dina says:

    Super yum! My tummy is rumbling after seeing your pictures!

  15. jenyu says:

    You all are awesome. Many thanks for supporting Jennie xxoo

  16. Denise @ Creative Kitchen says:

    I’m a long time reader of your blog, but don’t know that I’ve ever commented. My heart broke for Jennie when I heard the news through blogs I read and confirmed on Twitter. Jennie’s blog is one of my very favorites to read, and I just couldn’t believe it was here they were talking about. I must have said “no” ten times.

    My brother was in town visiting….a very rare treat so the pie making had to wait until this past weekend. And my family shopped and ate this pie in honor of Mikey…and Jennie…and their girls.

  17. Peanut Butter Pie and Love | i am baker says:

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