Description
Indulgent peanut butter cup cheesecake brings creamy decadence to dessert lovers everywhere. Rich chocolate crust and silky peanut butter filling create a perfect harmony of flavors you won’t be able to resist.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 3 cups cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 2 cups peanut butter cups, chopped (divided)
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup heavy cream
Crust Ingredients:
- 2 cups graham crackers, crushed
- 1/2 cup butter, melted
Garnish and Flavor Enhancers:
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
- 1/4 cup chopped peanuts
Instructions
- Construct the foundation by pulverizing graham crackers and blending with melted butter, then firmly pressing the mixture into the bottom of a springform pan to create a compact base.
- Gently melt half of the peanut butter cups and carefully distribute the molten chocolate-peanut butter mixture across the crust, then chill for approximately 10-15 minutes until the layer solidifies.
- Combine cream cheese, sugar, heavy cream, and vanilla in a mixing bowl, whipping until achieving a velvety, lump-free consistency. Incorporate creamy peanut butter and fold in the remaining chopped peanut butter cups.
- Transfer the silky filling onto the chilled crust, using a spatula to create an even, smooth surface with no air pockets.
- Enhance the cheesecake’s visual appeal by artfully drizzling caramel sauce across the top and sprinkling chopped peanuts for added texture and crunch.
- Allow the cheesecake to set by refrigerating for a minimum of 4 hours, ensuring a firm, sliceable dessert with optimal flavor development.
Notes
- Chilling Tip Freeze the springform pan for 10 minutes before pressing the graham cracker crust to help it set firmly and prevent crumbling.
- Peanut Butter Cup Hack Freeze the peanut butter cups briefly before chopping to make cutting cleaner and prevent messy crumbling during preparation.
- Creamy Texture Secret Use room temperature cream cheese and beat on low speed to avoid incorporating too much air, which can cause cracks in the cheesecake.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation Swap graham crackers with gluten-free cookie crumbs or ground almond meal to make the recipe celiac-friendly without compromising taste.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours 15 minutes
- Category: Desserts
- Method: None
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8
- Calories: 555 kcal
- Sugar: 39 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 40 g
- Saturated Fat: 14 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 22 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 38 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 11 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg