Veganizing Dolly Parton’s Peanut Butter Pie Was the Best Idea We’ve Had All Week

It only takes five ingredients and very little cooking prowess to make legendary country singer Dolly Parton’s classic peanut butter pie. This fuss-free, down-to-earth recipe reflects the country singer herself: unpretentious and sweet as can be. Known for her love of old-fashioned Southern hospitality, Dolly has always celebrated the kind of food that brings people together—simple, homey dishes made with love. From biscuits to banana pudding, her recipes capture the heart of Tennessee cooking, and this whipped, cheesecake-like peanut butter pie is no exception.

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The musician’s recipe calls for a graham cracker crust, but don’t be afraid to make it your own by substituting a chocolate cookie crust or any other vegan-friendly prepared crust, such as Keebler’s Graham Ready Crust or Mi-Del Gluten Free Graham Style Pie Crust. Feeling ambitious and have a bit of extra time on your hands? Skip the store-bought route altogether and whip up your own from scratch—our guide to mastering plant-based pies has all the tips you need for the perfect flaky, buttery, crumbly crust every time. (Pro tip: Wafer cookies work beautifully in a cookie crust, but cream-filled cookies doubles as a built-in adhesive—meaning you can cut back on the butter and avoid an oily crust.) 

When it comes to making this pie dairy-free, the swaps couldn’t be simpler—it’s an easy one-to-one swap for each ingredient. For the cream cheese, feel free to sub in your favorite; we reached for classic Tofutti, which has a wonderfully thick, substantial texture that helps this pie hold its whipped shape. And for the whipped cream (both folded into the filling and piled high on top), So Delicious CocoWhip is our go-to. It’s light, airy, and makes for a fuss-free, totally vegan substitute that keeps this dessert just as rich and indulgent as the original.

Queue up Parton’s Something Special album, tie on your apron, and invite a few friends over—this recipe does make two pies, after all. In true Parton fashion, it’s best served with plenty of laughter, good company, and maybe a little sing-along in the kitchen to one of her classic hits. You can whip up this creamy, dreamy dessert faster than you can sing “Jolene.”

Dolly Parton’s Peanut Butter Pie

What You Need: 

1½ cups powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup vegan cream cheese
2 cups vegan whipped topping
2 vegan-friendly graham cracker crusts
2 tablespoons crushed roasted peanuts, for garnish

What You Do:

1. In a large bowl, mix sugar, peanut butter, and cream cheese until combined. Gently fold in the whipped topping.
2. Into crusts, pour mixture and chill until firm. Top with more whipped topping and crushed peanuts.