Oreo Almond Butter Pie

This pie. This pie came about when DH and I were taste testing Barney Butter. It was smooth and creamy where it needed to be. The crunchy almond pieces gave it a great "just like chunky peanut butter" taste. So good, even I could eat it off of a spoon. I would not do that with peanut butter.

DH said, "you should make a pie with this. I love peanut butter pie." OK. I have never made or HAD a peanut butter pie. I'm not a fan of peanut butter. I would never opt to eat one. But he said it's peanut butter, cool whip, and ice cream. I think he said ice cream. But anyway. I looked at him and said. "Hmmm. That sounds OK. Maybe with an Oreo crust, since we have 8 (don't judge BOGO coupon) packages in the pantry." His eyes got wide, I think that was my go ahead. 

I made a simple crust with Oreos. We both agreed that the crust was too sweet. So next time I'll use them without the creme filling. Or get some famous wafers, if I can ever find them.  I also used fresh whipped cream. I had intended to get a tub of Cool Whip. Until I read what was in it. I admit, Cool Whip is probably the way to go. Frozen whipped cream is a little icy. But once it comes to eating temperature it's not a huge deal. I added the cream cheese for a little tang. It was still really good, DH and the kids love it. This is a great pie to make ahead of time. Perfect for summer, no bake! Just make sure you set it out before serving. So it's nice and creamy.

 Diva is allergic to every nut, except almonds. So I like to have almond butter around for satay sauces and stuff. For cooking I like to have just almonds, no sweetener. But for this pie the Barney Butter has the right amount of sweetness. Especially since I don't add any sugar to the whipped cream or filling. I think the ice cream is sweet enough!
*Don't forget to enter to win some Barney Butter HERE!*

Almond Butter Ice Cream Pie

Crust
20 Birthday Cake Oreos
1/4 cup melted butter- cooled

Filling
4 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 teaspoon vanilla
2/3-1 cup almond butter
1/4- 1/3 cup sugar if almond butter is not sweetened, if desired- personally, the ice cream is sweet enough
4 cups vanilla ice cream, softened

To top the filling (Optional)
1/4- 1/3 cup chocolate chips
3 tablespoons almond butter

To top the pie
2-3 cups whipped cream

Drizzle
1/2 cup chocolate chips or chocolate sauce

Process Oreo cookies in a food processor until they look like soil, even, no big pieces. Pour in melted butter and pulse a few times until combined. Reserve 1/3 cup of this crumb mixture to top the pie. Place remaining mixture in a 9 inch pie plate. Press the crumbs to cover the bottom and sides of the pie plate. Set aside.

Cream the almond butter, cream cheese and vanilla together. (And sugar, if using.) Fold in ice cream to combine. Pour the ice cream mixture into the crust.

Sprinkled 1/3 cup chocolate chips on top of the ice cream. Drizzle 3 tablespoons of almond butter on top. If the almond butter is too thick, heat it in the microwave for 20-30 seconds first.

Top with whipped cream and remaining cookie mixture. Melt the remaining chocolate chips in a bowl. Drizzle over the pie, this will harden on top of the pie. Or use chocolate sauce. Freeze for 4-6 hours or overnight.

I thought I had other pictures of this pie. The only picture I could find was this one from my phone and it looks funny.