Peanut Butter Pie

Today is my brother's birthday; he would have turned 22 this year.  Almost every year, he would request peanut butter pie instead of a traditional birthday cake.  So last night I made his favorite peanut butter pie in his honor.  I can't send him a card or buy him a present or call him and sing him happy birthday--I can't do any of the things that I've always done on his birthday.  But I can make his favorite pie.  And tonight, when I take a bite of this pie, for even a few seconds it might feel just a little like almost every May 23rd that I've ever known.

Peanut Butter Pie
24 Nutter Butter cookies
5 Tbsp butter, melted
8 oz cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 Tbsp vanilla extract
8 oz Cool Whip, thawed

Crush cookies in a plastic bag with a rolling pin.  Mix crumbs and melted butter together.  Press on to bottom and up sides of a 9-inch pie plate.

Mix cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar, and vanilla with an electric mixer until well blended.  Gently stir in 1 1/2 cups of Cool Whip until blended together.  Spoon mixture into crust.

Freeze for four hours or overnight until firm.  Let stand 30 minutes or until pie can be cut easily.  Garnish with remaining whipped topping.

source: recipe from a dear family friend