PEANUT BUTTER MERINGUE PIE

Steps:

• 1. Assemble ingredients
• 2. Prepare pie crust and place in 9" pie pan. (If frozen shell allow 15 minutes to defrost)Score bottom of pie shell with fork and cook at 400 degrees for 7-10 minutes.
• 3. Pour confectioner's sugar in a small bowl and cut in peanut butter and salt (if desired) until crumbly.
• 4. Spread 3/4 of peanut butter crumbles in bottom of pie shell.
• 5. In a large sauce pan combine sugar and cornstarch. Stir in milk until smooth.
• 6. Cook and stir over medium-high heat until thickened and bubbly. Reduce heat; cook and stir 2 minutes longer. Remove from heat.
• 7. Separate egg yolks and egg whites in two separate bowls. Add small amount of hot filling to egg yolks and mix thoroughly.
• 8. Return all to pan and stir constantly. Bring to a gentle boil. Cook and stir 2 minutes longer.
• 9. Remove from heat and gently stir in melted butter and vanilla
• 10. Place whole peanuts in processor and pulse until crumbled.
• 11. In a small bowl, beat egg whites and add sugar and vanilla. Continue to beat until stiff peaks form.
• 12. Pour and spread custard evenly in pie shell over peanut butter crumbles.
• 13. Spread meringue over hot filling and seal edges to crust
• 14. Sprinkle remaining peanut butter crumbles on top. (if desired)
• 15. Bake in pre-heated oven at 350 degrees for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown.
• 16. Sprinkle crushed peanuts on meringue.
• 17. allow to cool about 1 hour.
• 18. Serve and enjoy.