The Best Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake is amazing and will disappear right before your very eyes. Chocolate and peanut butter layers with more chocolate needs to happen right away.
Have you ever had one of "those" days? You know the one I'm talking about, right? The one that makes you wonder if the full moon is out.
Today was that day for me. And the day isn't even over, so I'm kind of scared to see what happens next. It all started the minute the alarm started going off. Yup, that's it. Hahahaha! Just kidding. There's more.
Staying up late and getting up early just isn't a good thing. Especially when you are trying to be dedicated to getting a work out in before doing any work. I didn't really feel like workout out, but I did it anyway because I know I'll feel better later.
Then I walked to work. Haha! Ok, fine I walked to the other room and got on my computer. Turns out there really must be a full moon because I have had some cray cray comments on the blog this week.
Just think of things like "jerk", "why don't you set a better example for your kids", "junk food", and being "shot and left for the buzzards to peck out". Yup, all real comments. My jaw is hanging open too! You better believe I deleted those comments and moved on with my day.
Oh, and I have been accused of stealing my own pictures. I'm sorry I didn't realize posting my own pictures was wrong. My bad.
I am feeling the extreme urge to hide in my closet for the rest of the day with a pan of Homemade Chocolate Chip Brownies and some Dark Chocolate Buttercream Frosting.
Don't bother looking for me. I'll be much happier there in the dark with the chocolate.
Actually, these kind of things just make me laugh. Ain't nobody got time for being upset! What else are you supposed to do about it? Well, other than stuff your face with all the chocolate!
So go ahead. Leave me all the comments. Laughter is good for the soul!
I thought maybe you have had one of those days or weeks and might need some cheesecake goodness too. How about a Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake with an Oreo crust? Uuuuuhhhhhuuuhhhh, I thought so.
I know you are thinking I'm the crazy one now, but seriously, this is really an easy peanut butter cheesecake to make. You can do it.
If you can't find the chocolate chips and peanut butter cups, check the closet. Someone might have had a "day" and needed to hide for a bit.
How to make a Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake:
Place a sheet pan of water on the very bottom rack of the oven as it preheats. This steam bath will create moisture in the oven, so the cheesecake does not crack while it bakes.
Mix together cookie crumbs and butter and press them into the bottom of the pan. Use parchment paper in the bottom of the springform pan because it will keep the crust from sticking to the pan.
Start with the peanut butter cheesecake layer next. Beat all the ingredients until creamy and set it aside.
Place the chocolate chips in a saucepan over low heat. Add the cream cheese and stir until melted. Stir in the rest of the ingredients for the chocolate cheesecake layer.
Layer the chocolate and peanut butter layers on the prepared cookie crust. Place the springform pan on the oven rack right over the steaming water and bake it for 55-65 minutes. Pull it out as soon as the timer goes off and let it cool on a wire rack for an hour, then refrigerate it for 4-6 hours.
Heat the whipping cream in the microwave, then pour it over the chocolate chips and let it sit for a minute. Stir until melted and creamy. Pour on top of the chilled cheesecake and spread it out evenly with an angled spatula.
Use a piping bag and icing tip 1M to swirl Cool Whip around the edges. Top each swirl with a peanut butter cup candy.
More peanut butter cup recipes you may enjoy:
Swirls of chocolate and peanut butter make these Ultimate Reese’s Cheesecake Brownies absolutely irresistible.
The candy center in these Peanut Butter Cup Cookies makes these a family favorite treat. Change out the sprinkles and they are perfect for every holiday.
This Peanut Butter Cup Blondie has a nutty twist on the typical blondies.
You are only 5 ingredients away from this creamy Reese's Fluffernutter Ice Cream. No ice cream maker needed!
Three kinds of peanut butter goodness makes this Reese’s Popcorn an unforgettable snack mix.
Recipe
Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake
This Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake is amazing and will disappear right before your very eyes. Chocolate and peanut butter cheesecake layers with a chocolate topping needs to happen right away.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 20 Oreo cookies
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
For the Peanut Butter Layer
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese, softened
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup peanut butter
- 1 large egg
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Chocolate Layer
- 1 ½ cups milk chocolate chips
- 1 - 8 ounce package cream cheese. softened
- 2 large eggs
- 2 tablespoons milk
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
For the Topping
- ½ cup milk chocolate chips
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 1 - 8 ounce container Cool Whip, thawed
- 8 miniature Reese's Peanut Butter Cups
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 300 degrees. Place a large cookie sheet on the bottom rack and fill it halfway with water.
- Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with parchment paper.
- Place the cookies, cream included, in a food processor. Pulse until everything becomes crumbs.
- Combine the cookie crumbs and butter and mix until moistened. Press evenly in the bottom of the prepared pan.Set aside.
- In a mixing bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar. Add the peanut butter, egg, and vanilla and beat again. Set aside.
- In a small sauce pan melt the chocolate chips over medium heat, stirring continually until they are melted. Add the cream cheese and stir until creamy again.
- Whisk in the milk and vanilla.
- Crack the eggs into a small bowl. Add a large spoonful of the melted chocolate mixture to the egg and whisk immediately.
- Pour the rest of the melted chocolate mixture in the bowl and whisk again.
- Pour half of the chocolate cheesecake batter onto the cookie crust.
- Gently spoon the peanut butter mixture on top. Start placing spoonfuls on the outside edges first, then drop spoonfuls in the center. Carefully smooth out the peanut butter layer with an offset spatula.
- Pour the remaining chocolate cheesecake batter on top. Bake for 50-60 minutes, or until the top is set. Remove right away and place on a wire rack to cool.
- After 5 minutes, run a knife around the edge of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan. Let cool for an hour. Place in the refrigerator to chill completely.
- Heat the heavy whipping cream in the microwave for 30 seconds. Pour over the chocolate chips. Let sit for 1 minute, then stir until melted and creamy.
- Remove the springform pan collar. Pour the chocolate on the top of the chilled cheesecake and smooth over the top. Let set.
- Use a piping bag and icing tip 1M to swirl Cool Whip around the edges. Place a peanut butter cup on each swirl right before serving. Cut into 14 wedges.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield: 14 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 608Total Fat: 43gSaturated Fat: 19gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 89mgSodium: 389mgCarbohydrates: 50gFiber: 3gSugar: 37gProtein: 13g
*The post for Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake was first published on August 29, 2013. The photos have been updated, and it was republished on April 29, 2019.
Change
There was not enough peanut butter mixture to make a layer I had to leave the middle out, but thankfully had extra pnut butter cups for the top and filled the middle with those.
Jocelyn
I'm not sure what you mean about there not being enough peanut butter mixture for the middle. Did you watch the video that was in the post with the recipe? I show how to make each layer and how to spread it out as well. I'm glad you were able to add the peanut butter cups and make it work.
Steph
If this isn't a little slice of heaven, then I don't know what is. The best candy + the best dessert = perfection!
Jen
This is like two of my favorite desserts all rolled into one. The trick would be making this before all the peanut butter cups disappeared, haha! Can't wait for my first bite.
Erin
I am all over this, a must make all summer long!
Sara Welch
You are speaking my kind of language! Peanut Butter Cups are my absolute favorite candy; I bet this tastes magical!
Kim
For those who don't like cool whip (I'm not a cool whip fan myself), Here's an alternative that I do when I make this deliciousness.... After I pour the ganache on top, I take quite a few peanut butter cups and roughly chop them and sprinkle them on top.... This recipe is always a hit and gets rave reviews.... It's my son's favorite and he only has like 4 food groups (pasta, chicken nuggets, hot dogs and cookies)....
Killian
The recipe looks amazing, but I cannot fathom why you'd ruin a gorgeous, scratch made concoction such as this with Cool Whip. It makes absolutely no sense whatsoever.
Jocelyn
LOL! I happen to like Cool Whip, but you can totally top it with a homemade whipped cream if that's what you prefer. Either way, sugar is sugar. 🙂
Mary
For the peanut butter cup cheesecake, I only have SALTED butter...argh, and I'm starting to make it now. Does anyone know if this will effect the taste of the crust at all?
Thanks!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Hi, Mary. I actually use salted butter quite often. It will be just fine for the crust. I hope you enjoy the cheesecake.