Eating cheesecake that takes after a candy bar is definitely something you want to try. Wait until you take a bite of these Take 5 Cheesecake Brownies. You will always want your brownies this way.
What can I say? I couldn't help but make another cheesecake recipe for you. Especially with it being National Cheesecake Day and all. This is definitely a day that had to be celebrated for sure. We just love making cheesecake over here a little too much.
Have you seen this Strawberrylicious Chocolate Cheesecake or this Mocha Oreo Cheesecake? Those were some of the very first cheesecake creations that we have come up with...and we haven't stopped since then.
It is safe to say that cheesecake is one of the top things I love to bake the most. There are just so many different ways to enjoy the creamy goodness. Pie, cupcakes, brownies, cookies, no bake, parfaits...I could go on and on. Clearly I have thought about this a little too much and a little too long 🙂
Today's cheesecake was a combination of two other desserts that I made a few years ago. I combined these Caramel Pretzel Cheesecake Brownies with these Take 5 Bars...best idea ever!!!
Take 5 candy bars are one of my favorites. I think mostly because of the salty and the sweet together. And this cheesecake offers you all of the same flavors.
I started with a crunchy pretzel layer. I chopped them coarsely because I wanted a good crunch for the brownies to sit on. Peanuts and melted peanut butter got added to the brownie layer. And then a caramel cheesecake layer went right on top of everything. It was pure torture waiting for this to bake and then chill. I was so excited to eat these brownies. Of course I had to jazz them up even further by adding a caramel and chocolate drizzle to the top. It just seemed like the right thing to do. Melty drizzly caramel makes me go weak in the knees.
Drop everything you are doing today!
You need to make these Take 5 Cheesecake Brownies right away. National Cheesecake Day only comes once a year...let's celebrate it in style this year.
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Recipe
Take 5 Cheesecake Brownies
Cheesecake brownies with a Take 5 candy bar twist.
Ingredients
For the Crust
- 2 cups coarsely chopped pretzels
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- ¼ cup sugar
For the Cheesecake Brownies
- 1 - 9x13 box brownie mix
- 1 cup chopped peanuts
- ½ cup peanut butter
- 2 - 8 ounce packages cream cheese
- ½ cup sugar
- 2 eggs
- 2 Tablespoons Greek yogurt
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup caramel ice cream topping
For the Topping
- ½ cup caramel baking bits
- 2 teaspoons whipping cream
- ¼ cup chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon shortening
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x13 pan with nonstick baking spray.
- Combine the pretzels, sugar, and melted butter. Press into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake for 8 minutes. Cool.
- In a mixing bowl, make the brownie mix according to the directions on the back of the box. Stir in the chopped peanuts.
- Gently spoon the brownie batter over the cooled pretzel crust.
- Place the peanut butter in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir until creamy. Drop by spoonfuls onto the brownie batter. Very gently swirl the peanut butter with a knife. Do not go all the way through to the crust. You want to only swirl the top.
- In a mixing bowl, cream together the cream cheese, sugar, eggs, yogurt, vanilla, and caramel topping until creamy.
- Gently spoon the cheesecake onto the brownie batter. Bake for 45-50 minutes. Let cool completely. Cut into 24 squares.
- In a small saucepan heat the caramel bits and whipping cream until melted. Drizzle with a spoon over cheesecake squares.
- Place the chocolate chips and shortening in a microwave safe bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir until creamy. Spoon into a plastic bag with one tip cut off. Drizzle over squares. Keep refrigerated.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 24 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 253Total Fat: 17gSaturated Fat: 8gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 8gCholesterol: 45mgSodium: 207mgCarbohydrates: 21gFiber: 1gSugar: 15gProtein: 5g
More of our favorite cheesecake recipes:
Chocolate Chip Nutella Cheesecake Cupcakes
Coconut Cream Cheesecake Brownies
Peanut Butter Snickers Cheesecake Brownie Pie
Maria
Oh my goodness, all of these look SO GOOD!!!! I've been wanting to try some cheesecake brownies too, since I love both so much, and your recipes just look amazing!!!!!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much Maria!! 😉
Lyuba@willcookforsmiles
That looks sooo yummy !! Oh, I want one right now 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Lyuba!! 😉
Renee @ Awesome on $20
Can you believe I've never had a Take 5? What's wrong with me? Every time I hear people talk about them, I think they sound amazing, but then I always forget to buy one and try it out. These cheesecake brownies look absolutely amazing.
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Renee!! You definitely need to try a Take 5, and then try this cheesecake too!! 😉
Lynn H @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
Yum~ Great recipe:) Lynn @ Turnips 2 Tangerines
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Lynn!! 😉
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
GOOD HEAVENS, ya crazy woman! I am in LOVE with this recipe. Take 5 bars are SO stinkin' good, and making it into a sinful brownie cheesecake? That's what I'm talkin' about!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Haha, thanks so much Hayley!! 😉
Julie @ Julie's Eats & Treats
Mmm these look wonderful! Keep making more 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Julie!! I absolutely will, I don't think I could stop if I tried! 😉
Chels R.
I love love love those cute little milk bottles-totes adorbs!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Me too!! They are one of my favorite props! 😉
Jessica@AKitchenAddiction
Love all of the variations of cheesecake that you come up with, especially this sweet & salty one! Definitely need to try!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much Jessica!! 😉
Tieghan
Take five bars!! Oh, heck yes! These are so delicious looking. I love all you brownie cheesecakes!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much Teighan!! 😉
Karly
Take Five bars are totally my favorite too! Love this cheesecake!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Karly!! 😉
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust
I love all your cheesecake brownies, especially this one! And that you used greek yogurt in the cheesecake. YUM!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much Dorothy!! 😉
CathyK
Oh goodness, I am drooling!!! I have got to try this!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Cathy!! 😉
Wendy
I don't know how you come up with these creations, Jocelyn, but I am so glad you do!! You have packed these with crunchy, chewy, smooth, and gooey.....all in one little bar! I am awed! 🙂
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much Wendy!! 😉 I definitely dream dessert!
marcie@flavorthemoments
Those are crazy decadent! I love a good cheesecake layer or swirl in my brownies, and you kicked it up a bunch of notches from there. They look delicious!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks Marci!! 😉 They are seriously too good!!
Gloria @ Simply Gloria
You can bring on the cheesecake any day, my friend! In fact, I'm got cheesecake in the oven as I type. These are looking super dangerously delicious!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much Gloria!! Yay for cheesecake! 😉
Raquel @ Organized Island
The cheesecake brownies look delicious Joceyln! Cheesecake, caramel and chocolate are all on my favorites list!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thank you Raquel!! 😉
Nicole Underwood
Shut the front door! These look ridiculously tasty!!!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much Nicole!! 😉
Lindsay @ Life, Love and Sugar
They sound awesome! What a great combination of flavors!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much Lindsay!! 😉
Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Oh, my word! These photos are making me droooool on my keyboard!! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much Marci!! 😉
Ashley @ Wishes and Dishes
I am a huge fan of take 5 candy bars! I made a pie with them once. I love this idea of cheesecake brownies!
Jocelyn Brubaker
Thanks so much Ashley!! 😉