Cookie Butter Pie

Step 1

For the crust: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.

Step 2

Combine the cookies and brown sugar in a food processor; pulse until the cookies form fine crumbs. Add 6 tablespoons of the melted butter and pulse a couple more times, until the mixture resembles wet sand. If the mixture seems dry, add an additional tablespoon of butter. Press the mixture firmly into a 9-inch pie pan, pressing it over the bottom and up the sides. Bake until slightly dried, 7 to 8 minutes. Cool completely.

Step 3

For the pie filling: Beat the heavy cream, confectioners’ sugar and vanilla bean paste in a clean, cold bowl with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Gently scoop half the whipped cream into a pastry bag fitted with a star tip and refrigerate. Scoop the other half of the whipped cream into a clean bowl. In the bowl the cream was whipped in (no need to clean it), beat the cream cheese on medium speed for 1 minute. Add the cookie butter and orange extract and beat until light and fluffy, about 3 minutes.

Step 4

Gently fold the whipped cream into the cookie butter mixture, being careful not to overmix. Pour the mixture into the cooled pie crust and refrigerate until set, 2 to 3 hours.

Step 5

Using the pastry bag with whipped cream, decorate the top of the pie with small mounds around the perimeter. Garnish with the cashews and orange zest.