This blog post was original a dramatic complaint about how my life isn’t perfect. I just re-read it, and I feel dumb, capricious and immature. Because I realize all the things I worry about are trivial. There are far more serious things in life than the fact that I have a pile of student loan debt, a mean comment from a reader or a little bit of back pain.
Last week, I thought I was having a terrible week. Things kept going wrong, or so it seemed. But I was wrong.
This week is far more terrible, because terrible things didn’t happen to me. They happened to my loved ones, and that is a million times worse.
So in those moments when I feel like my life is crumbling, like a pie crust that doesn’t have enough water to help it stick together, food is important. Those moments are when pie is essential.
Really though.
Even if you don’t eat it, because by now I know turning to food when things aren’t going well is wrong, make the pie and give it away.
Give it to a loved one who isn’t having the best day, or a friend you haven’t talked to in a long time.
Pie doesn’t heal all wounds, but it helps.
Peanut Butter and Jelly Pie in a Pretzel Crust
1 1/4 cup of pretzel crumbs
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup peanut butter, smooth natural
4 oz cream cheese, softened
7 oz sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided
1/2 cup + 3 tbsp strawberry jam
First make your crust by mixing together pretzel crumbs, butter and sugar. Press into a 9” pie dish and place in the freezer until ready to use.
Next, beat together peanut butter, cream cheese and sweetened condensed milk. Beat 1/2 cup of heavy whipping cream until if holds firm peaks. Fold whipped cream into peanut butter mixture until combined. Set aside.
Beat remaining 1 cup of whipped cream. Once it start to form peaks, add in 3 tbsp of strawberry jam. If you want to avoid clump, blend your jam before adding it to the whipped cream. Set aside.
Next assemble the pie. Spread half of the jam on the bottom of the pie crust. If it’s hard to spread, feel free to add a little water or blend it to make it smooth. Next spread on half the peanut butter mixture, then another layer with remaining jam. Top with remaining peanut butter mixture. Transfer whipped cream to piping bag and pipe strawberry whipped cream onto the pie, alternatively you can just spread it.
Refrigerate for a few hours or overnight and serve cold to someone special.
This is comfort food to the max, because sometimes we need a little comfort and a big hug.
Foodologie 
Hope you are having a better week – it’s ok to complain sometimes! 🙂
This looks SO pretty…and anything with a pretzel crust is pretty much amazing.
Thanks for your kind words, Emily!
Was waiting for this beauty, tnx.
Hope you like it!
so sorry you are going through a rough time – but the pie does look delicious, AND peanut butter and jelly makes everything better. it’s a proven fact. hugs.
True story. It really does make everything better. So do handfuls of chocolate chips 🙂 Thanks for the support. Chicken and waffles soon!
Glad to hear that you’re having a better week, and I hope that others in your life catch a break too. Also, I’m in the Finger Lakes right now. But when I return, 100-degree weather or not, I will make my anticipated peanut butter and jelly cookies. To compliment your pie. And I will blog about it.
Please do! PB&J is a rockin’ combo.
Enjoy the Fingerlakes! Hope you’re drinking lots of sweet wines 🙂
Here’s to your week getting better!
With a bit of thanks for this fabulous pie!
Ok, seriously??? This looks SO good!!!!!! WOW!!!
It was SO good!
Mmmm Pretzel Crust is my new favorite thing! I had a strawberry pretzel dessert recently at a neighborhood cookout and wasn’t sure what to expect. It was SO good that my sister-in-law and I are both using pretzels for EVERYTHING now! haha 🙂
Totally agree! Pretzel crust is my newest obsession. The salty + sweet combo is amazing!
Yummy, what a great idea, the pretzel crust!!!! 😮
Pretzel crusts are definitely my new obsession!
wish i could be there with you tomorrow (our baking date) to give you a hug – and eat some of this!
Me too! Don’t worry! It’ll happen soon enough 🙂
i love the combo of salty and sweet here! looks awesome!
I love peanut butter and jelly, so in pie form.. with a pretzel crust, sign me up.. perfection!
Gorgeous…your food styling is impeccable!