Gluten Free Pepsi and Peanuts Pie

pepsi and peanuts pie slice

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Growing up in North Carolina, I enjoyed a treat I had thought at the time was universal, but I’m learning now was quite unique: Pepsi and peanuts.

The idea was that you’d take those tall, thick glass Pepsi bottles and funnel a sleeve of salty peanuts inside it. Turn it upside-down (with your thumb over the mouth of the bottle, of course) so the peanuts went to the bottom of the bottle, then you were ready to enjoy!

pepsi and peanuts pie with slice

And by enjoy, I mean that you would drink the Pepsi and eat the crunchy peanuts IN the Pepsi at the same time. It’s a bit hard to imagine, but trust me that it worked and the salty and sweet combination still tastes like summer to me.

I’m not alone in my nostalgia for this southern treat, although some prefer the idea of Coke and peanuts (no comment). I have the feeling you don’t want to try this with a diet soda though — just ewwww.

Apparently the practice of adding peanuts to your Pepsi (or Coke, I suppose) started in the 1920s when workers didn’t want to touch their snack of peanuts with their dirty hands, so they added the packet straight into their choice of working beverages.

Lewis Hine's famous shot of Depression-era ironworkers lunching on an I-beam of the unfinished Empire State Building
Lewis Hine’s famous shot of Depression-era ironworkers lunching on an I-beam of the unfinished Empire State Building. They may or may not have been enjoying Peanuts and Pepsi.

Others speculate it was invented so folks could hold a cold glass of soda and the stick shift in their other hand.

Since both were sold at filling stations, it was an early form of C-store fast food for many a Southerner. Pretty brilliant, wouldn’t you say?

Fast forward (a few years) and I received an email from my parents with a recipe for Pepsi and Lance Peanuts Pie. Quite a novel idea to take this mixed beverage and turn it into a pie, but then again, (not to diminish its greatness) it sounded a lot like pecan pie, only with peanuts. What’s not to love about that?

pepsi and peanuts pie with pepsi and nuts

 

I thoughtfully stored the recipe where most recipe ideas go to die — in my email box. 

But since we’ve moved northward to Maryland (no one here has been indoctrinated into Pepsi and peanuts, apparently) and my parents have now moved in with us, I have been trying to make some new recipes that might make them feel like the South isn’t so very far away.  I thought to dig this recipe out and give it a try (putting my own spin on it, of course).

pepsi and peanuts pie with forks

I must say that the results were as delicious as I’d hoped, which is why you’re going to have to trust me on this one and make it for yourself, whether or not you’ve ever had the occasion to try Coke or Pepsi and peanuts for yourself. (Have you? I’d love to hear about it!)

The basic concept is that you reduce Pepsi down to a syrup that’s a lot like Karo and add it to peanuts, chopped or not (chop them for more of a pecan pie texture; leave them whole for the full Pepsi and peanuts effect). 

pouring pepsi syrup 2

Pour this mixture into my tried and true homemade gluten free pie crust and you have yourself a dessert that’s its own conversation starter!

If you’re more a fan of the traditional, or you’re not into Pepsi or Karo or anything of the sort, I hear you. And I have a fantastic gluten free and vegan Pecan Pie recipe that uses no Karo at all — it’s like magic you can taste. 

pepsi and peanuts pie before baking
Gluten Free Pepsi and Peanuts pie in gluten free pie crust before baking.

 

Either way, you’re going to want a delicious, light and flaky gluten free pie crust to bake it in, so you’re going to want this gluten free Pie Crust Recipe and Tips. If you’d like to prepare your gluten free pie crust in advance and freeze it before making this pie, follow this recipe for freezing the pie dough ahead of time. Do not bake the pie crust before filling and baking this pie.

I hope you trust me on this one and give Pepsi and Peanuts Pie a try. Or, as my hubby has dubbed it, Pea-Con Pie. It’s remarkably similar to the pecan pie we all know and love, only it comes with some bubbly history.

pepsi and peanuts pie with nuts on rack

pepsi and peanuts pie with nuts

Gluten Free Peanuts & Pepsi Pie

Yield: 1 pie
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

This twist on traditional pecan pie is a welcome change for pie lovers! Gluten Free Peanuts & Pepsi Pie is a uniquely southern flavor in a pie anyone would love!

Ingredients

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350º F.

Prepare the Pepsi syrup by adding sugar, Pepsi, cream of tartar and salt to a small saucepan and bring to a boil while stirring. Reduce heat to simmer and cover, continuing to cook for 5 minutes.

Remove lid and stir periodically while continuing to cook on simmer for approximately 25 minutes, or until the mixture has cooked down somewhat and is beginning to thicken. Don't burn or over cook the mixture; it will thicken more as it cools.

Pour mixture into a liquid measuring cup and measure out 2/3 cup, then set aside to cool; discard any remaining syrup or use for another purpose.

Melt butter or vegan butter and set aside to cool.

Prepare gluten free pie crust, then set aside.

Beat eggs or substitute until whipped and lighter, approximately 2 minutes.

Add peanut butter, brown sugar and gfJules Flour, mixing well until all lumps are removed.

Stir in cooled Pepsi syrup and butter, along with vanilla extract. Fold in salted peanuts.

Pour mixture into prepared gluten free pie crust.

Brush crust edges with milk of choice (or egg white + 1 Tbs. water if not vegan). Cover crust edges with pie crust covers and bake for 25 minutes; remove crust covers and bake for 10 minutes more (35-40 minutes total) or until the filling isn't jiggling when shaken gently and a knife inserted into the center of the pie comes out clean.

Remove to fully cool before serving with your favorite ice cream or whipped cream, or just plain!

Did you make this recipe?

Please leave a comment (and maybe even a picture!) below or share a photo on Instagram! Be sure to tag me! @gfJules

You may have to trust me on this seemingly odd combination, but I really think you’ll love this sweet and salty combination, tucked into a delicious gluten free pie crust. Let me know what you think!

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Gluten Free pepsi and peanuts pie slice _ gfJules

Gluten Free Pepsi and Peanuts Pie

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  1. Pepsi no longer makes any gluten free claims when I recently checked the website. I checked when I had ongoing symptoms suggestive of gluten ingestion with no identifiable cause.

    ECF6A3C0-1120-44BA-B10F-BB3E8FA6D2D6

    Reply
    • Hi Barb, while they may not make a gluten-free claim, that does not mean that the product is not gluten-free. A company is not required to make a gluten-free claim even if their product is not a gluten containing one. It really gets into the weeds with lawyers and whether or not a company wants to label for allergens or not. Both Coca-Cola and Pepsi are still considered gluten free. See this article for more information. Regardless, however, if it’s upsetting you in some way to drink Pepsi, by all means don’t! You know your body best, and it’s not like Pepsi is a health drink or anything!! 🙂
      ~jules

      Reply
  2. When I was growing up we always put peanuts in our Pepsi bottle so this makes perfect sense!!! Can’t wait to try it!

    Reply
    • I’m so glad to know another Peanuts & Pepsi girl!!!! Enjoy this fun dessert — I hope it brings back lots of fun memories!
      ~jules

      Reply
  3. I grew up doing this, too! Not as much as my dad, but he’s the one that taught me. I don’t recall him being big into Pepsi, so I imagine he was one of the Coke fans. Although, he was big into RC, so maybe that was his ultimate jam. My fav was Dr Pepper, growing up in more midwest Southern . I’ve never heard of making a pie from it, but will look forward to trying it!

    Reply
    • Oh I can’t wait to see how it turns out for you with Dr. Pepper or RC Cola or even … I daresay … Coke!!! LOL!
      Be sure to share a pic!
      ~jules

      Reply
    • Hi Marsha, you just use Pepsi and cook it down into a syrup. Directions are in the recipe! 🙂 ENJOY!
      ~jules

      Reply
  4. My husband has been enthralled with the idea of Pepsi and Peanuts ever since he heard about it. I HAVE to try this pie for him on his birthday. Thanks. I was wandering around in a confusing array of gluten free flours and mixes until I found your flour. Your flour and your enthusiasm to get these recipes out here has made baking fun again.

    Reply
    • Aw, Cath – that is wonderful to hear! That my gfJules Flour has helped you to get baking again — and for it to be fun again! — is all I could ever ask for!!! I can’t wait to hear how your husband likes Peanuts & Pepsi in a pie!!!!!!
      ~jules

      Reply
    • I’m sure it would, Marilyn! You’re boiling the soda down to a syrup, so really any cola/soda would probably do; I was being a purist when I said you had to stick to Pepsi! 😉 Let me know how it goes with the root beer!
      ~jules

      Reply
  5. Wait, I’ve never heard of this and I’m SO intrigued! This would be perfect for an upcoming party I’m attending. Definitely going to try this using Bob’s Red Mill egg replacer!

    Reply
    • It’s an odd combo, for sure, but in this pie, it really just tastes like a delicious pecan pie filling!
      ~jules

      Reply
      • Yes! As a North Carolina girl too, I remember the Coke/Pepsi and peanuts in that glass bottle. I look forward to trying this for my Gluten intolerant husband that also remembers this experience. I know the flour to be the best so this pie must be the best too! Thanks for sharing.

        Reply
        • Wonderful memories, Elaine!!! I’m so glad this recipe resonates with you, my fellow Carolinian!!! I can’t wait to hear how you both like this pie version!!!
          ~jules

          Reply
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