Valerie Bertinelli’s Peanut Butter S’mores Ice Cream Pie Is a Playful, Easy-to-Make Dessert
For those days when a little something sweet is called for after dinner, Food Network star Valerie Bertinelli’s peanutty frozen dessert is an ode to s’mores that hits the spot without too much effort. Here’s the culinary TV host’s recipe.
Bertinelli’s ice cream pie needs just 7 ingredients
With just seven items — smooth peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, heavy cream, a graham cracker pie crust, “softened” chocolate or chocolate chunk ice cream, mini marshmallows, and chocolate syrup — Bertinelli’s recipe is an easy-to-assemble dessert.
Using an electric mixer, combine the peanut butter, confectioners’ sugar, and heavy cream in a bowl until the mixture is “light and creamy.” Place this peanut butter “base” for the pie into the graham cracker pie crust and then freeze it for about 20 minutes, until the filling is more or less firm.
Once the pie filling has solidified, spoon the softened ice cream on top of it and spread out. Now it goes back in the freezer, this time, Bertinelli says, for about two hours, until it is very firm.
Bertinelli s’mores the pie with a kitchen torch
After that, the mini marshmallows are piled on the pie’s center and using a kitchen torch are deepened in color. Bertinelli notes that, if a torch isn’t available, the marshmallows can be broiled briefly in the oven, adding, “but watch them carefully if you do.” (Please follow your propane gas torch’s manufacturer’s instructions. As Food Network notes on their site, torches should be kept from heat, open flame and prolonged exposure to sunlight, and used only in well-ventilated areas.)
Finally, about two tablespoons of peanut butter are microwaved “until pourable, about 30 seconds.” Drizzle the peanut butter and chocolate syrup all over the pie, then freeze until you’re ready to plate for dessert.
Get the complete recipe, video, and reviews on Food Network’s site.
Reviewers loved how easy Bertinelli’s pie is to make
Home cooks on Food Network’s site remarked on the Valerie’s Home Cooking host’s playful and uncomplicated dessert.
“All I have to say about this recipe is simple and delicious,” one fan wrote.
Another remarked on the use of the torch in softening the marshmallows, as well as on the timing in preparing the dessert saying that “My guests loved this pie. I used the torch on the marshmallows right before serving because I wasn’t sure how the texture of the marshmallows would be after being in the freezer. [I] will do the same next time. I liked Valerie’s tip of softening the ice cream in the fridge instead of at room temperature. The ice cream was the perfect consistency after a few hours in the fridge. Begin making this early in the day and it will be an easy and impressive dessert to serve.”
Finally, another satisfied fan of Bertinelli’s campfire-inspired dessert summed it up, writing, “This pie is the bomb. Delicious, fun, and easy to prepare.”
