This post may contain affiliate links. For more information, see our privacy policy.

One of my friends had a birthday last week and I wanted to make a special dinner to celebrate. When it came to the dessert, I wanted something that would sparkle and decided on an old, tried and true, never fail recipe that I've been making for many years; Peanut Butter-Ganache Tart with Shortbread Crust. I made it in small individual tart pans this time instead of a larger pan. It's always a big hit, and most everyone who tries it wants to lick the plate clean!

Scroll Down for the Recipe - or Save It to Your Inbox
We’ll email you the recipe so it’s easy to save, print, or share.

Peanut Butter-Ganache Tart with Shortbread Crust
Ingredients
- Ingredients for the crust:
- 10 ounces of shortbread cookies, crushed, I used Nabisco Lorna Doones but any type of shortbread cookie will do, graham crackers or digestive biscuits also work well.
- 6 tablespoons melted butter
- Ingredients for the filling:
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons butter, softened
- 1 cup chilled heavy cream, whipped
- 1 tablespoon vanilla
- ½ cup whipping cream
- 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- For the crust, spray a 9 inch tart pan with a removable bottom with cooking spray. Mix crushed cookies with butter and press mixture evenly into prepared pan. Bake at 350˚F for 8 minutes. Remove from oven and cool completely.
- For the filling, using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and peanut butter until well blended. Add the 1 cup powdered sugar and butter and beat until fluffy. Fold in ½ of the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture to lighten. Gently fold in remaining cream. Add vanilla and stir till combined. Spoon into crust. Refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours.
- Heat cream in microwave until very hot, about 1 ½ minutes. Add chocolate and stir until smooth. Cool to lukewarm. Spread topping over pie. Refrigerate until firm, about 3 hours. Cut into wedges and serve with lightly sweetened whipped cream.
Notes
Shop Our Café Loves
We’ve gathered our favorite kitchen tools, tableware, and entertaining treasures in one place, the Café Loves store. It’s a wonderful spot to find something special for yourself or the cooks and hosts you love!






This looks delicious! Could it be frozen? I have whipping cream I need to use right away. If this can be frozen I will serve it for Easter dessert. Thanks Chris.
Yes, it freezes beautifully!
Hi Chris, would you mind explaining how you did the swirly topping on these please?. Someone else asked as well but it looks like the link is gone, unless I'm missing something. Thanks!
Hi Karen, I tried to look for the video I had linked to but, you're right, it's not there. I filled a small bowl with ice water, melted chocolate chips and put the melted chocolate (not too hot) in a small ziplock bag. I snipped a tiny bit off one corner then piped a "flower" (very basic) in the water. The chocolate cools quickly and you can lift out the "flower" or swirls.
How did you do the chocolate decoration on top with the swirls? Thanks
Hi Tonna, I did something similar to this: But I used ice water.
I wish i had that Tart now...is so good the tast of chocolate-peanut butter!
As always, this is absolutely beautiful! Plus...you can't go wrong with the combination of chocolate and peanut butter!
Aw, now that IS a good man! I would never turn down peanut butter and chocolate in any form, but it would be hard to accept your offering with a straight face-lol! These tarts, on the other hand, are world class beautiful and fabulous!
We all have streaks of bad luck. You have more wins than loses so I wouldn't worry about it. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary
I just love, love, love!! peanut butter. Combine peanut butter with chocolate and it is a dream come true. This tart is beautiful.
Thank you for your visits and kind comments.
Blessings dear, Catherine
Oh no Chris I just happen to have all of those ingredients in the fridge left over from the baby shower. This just looks too good not to try.
I must admit I've been looking forward to the recipe since you posted a sneak peek the other day.
I wish I was your neighbour!
Thanks Jenn! Those little while and dark balls are chocolate - they have a little crunchy cookie interior, pretty for decorations but also very tasty! I get them at Trader Jo's.
Oh how I wish I WAS your neighbor, even after the pranks I would get to eat such wonderful food!!!! Loved the tart, absolutely gorgeous!
Thank you, Glenda!
If you had been a mouse in the house last week when I had all the flubs, you wouldn't have thought quite so highly of me! 🙂 But I do appreciate your kind words - I have a lot of fun with food!
Your food always looks perfect and perfectly scrumptious!! You should do your own cooking show!
Wow, Chris! I asolutely have to make these for my younger brother who slathers peanut butter on everything!
My husband doesn't understand why a ruined batch of brownies can bring me to tears & ruin my day - I guess we're just perfectionists!
I'd love to be your neighbor!
What are those cute little sprinkles made out of? The tart looks delicious!
That man is a jewel!!!! I think if we lived close, you would really tickle me!! You would be a fun neighbor to have. But it would not be good, because I would always be wanting to be sick so you would bring me some of your scrumptious food!!!! This tart looks divine!
My husband loves making fancy desserts - especially anything with ganache. I think I will print this and leave it on his desk. 🙂
No, I would love to have you as a neighbor.
Fondly,
Glenda
My best friend from the Chicago area is named Janet and her husband is Ken. Hmmmmmmm.
I can't imagine you ever losing your touch. Seriously. Especially if these tarts are anything to go by. They're gorgeous and I'm sure were delicious (especially with a shortbread crust).
OH. MY. GOODNESS. I'll take a triple order please and, I would be quite thrilled to have you as my neighbour!! 🙂
OH. MY. GOODNESS. I'll take a triple order please and, I would be quite thrilled to have you as my neighbour!! 🙂
You know what? With this kind of tart, I would be glad to be your neighboor! Plus, you don't know what I can do to joke around:)
You have no idea how much I wish you were my neighbor! This tart is amazing and so decadent I'd feel a tad guilty about eating it. Notice I said "a tad"!
What a beautiful tart! I would love to be your neighbor 🙂
They are beautiful:@)
You ?Lost your touch?Are you kidding?Noway!It is just amazing!
This sounds yummy. I've never made a peanut butter pie but remember a lot of them floating around last year as a tribute to someone who lost their husband. It sounds like the perfect combination to satisfy everyone.
As for your neighbor I know what you mean. Mine are my taste testers. Every time they see me coming they wonder what treat I'm bestowing upon them this time. After all it's just two of us in the house and we can't eat it all. They don't mind in fact they love it as I'm sure your neighbors do as well.
Looks amazing!!! I'm speechless! I know what you mean about having a distarious week. I was like that a few weeks ago and this weekend, I made a few flops, but I guess it's a learning thing? Your little tarts look amazing!
Oh my! That looks really delicious! Are there any houses vacant around you? I would like to move in... 🙂