Description
Creamy peanut butter cheesecake beckons with irresistible layers of rich indulgence, promising a dessert that dances between sweet and salty. Silky caramel drizzle crowns this heavenly treat, inviting you to savor each luxurious bite of pure comfort.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 1/2 cups graham crackers, crushed
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
Sweeteners and Binding Ingredients:
- 1 1/4 cups granulated sugar
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping and Drizzle Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce (store-bought or homemade)
Instructions
- Prepare the oven at 325F (160C) and generously coat a 9-inch springform pan with non-stick spray.
- Create the crust by thoroughly blending graham cracker crumbs with melted butter and sugar until uniformly combined.
- Press the crumbly mixture compactly into the pan’s bottom, ensuring an even layer and consistent thickness.
- Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then allow it to cool completely at room temperature.
- Whip cream cheese in a large mixing bowl until completely smooth and free of lumps.
- Incorporate sugar gradually, then gently fold in peanut butter and vanilla extract until fully integrated.
- Introduce eggs individually, stirring thoroughly after each addition to maintain a silky texture.
- Blend sour cream and heavy cream into the mixture, creating a luxuriously creamy consistency.
- Transfer the cheesecake batter onto the cooled crust, spreading evenly to eliminate air pockets.
- Bake for 55-65 minutes, watching for slightly wobbly center with set edges as doneness indicator.
- Switch off oven, leave door slightly ajar, and allow cheesecake to rest for one hour for gradual cooling.
- Refrigerate for minimum 4 hours or overnight to achieve optimal setting and flavor development.
- Melt peanut butter and heavy cream in microwave, stirring between 15-second intervals until glossy and smooth.
- Gently warm caramel sauce to enhance drizzling consistency.
- Carefully remove cheesecake from springform pan, then artfully drizzle peanut butter and caramel in elegant patterns.
- Allow drizzles to slightly set before serving, creating a visually stunning and decadent dessert.
Notes
- Achieve a perfectly smooth cheesecake by ensuring all ingredients are at room temperature before mixing, preventing lumps and creating a silky texture.
- Prevent cracks by using a water bath method during baking, placing the springform pan in a larger pan filled with hot water to create gentle, even heating.
- Customize the recipe for dietary needs by substituting graham crackers with gluten-free alternatives and using low-fat cream cheese for a lighter version.
- Enhance flavor complexity by toasting graham cracker crumbs before creating the crust, which adds a deeper, nuttier undertone to the dessert’s base.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 12
- Calories: 424 kcal
- Sugar: 26 g
- Sodium: 228 mg
- Fat: 32 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 25 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 86 mg