These Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars Are a Assured Crowd-Pleaser

If a peanut butter cup and a cheesecake had a summer time fling, these bars can be their excellent love little one. Wealthy however fluffy, intensely peanut buttery but refreshingly cool, with a buttery Oreo crust, and a silky chocolate ganache topping, it is a dessert that can make folks cease mid-bite and ask for the recipe. As a bonus, they’re utterly no-bake—excellent for heat days or potlucks the place you wish to present up with a assured crowd-pleaser. 

Everybody’s Favourite Crust

Developed by Tricia Manzanero Stuedeman from our Birmingham, Alabama, take a look at kitchen, these no-bake cheesecake bars are easy to drag off, however full of payoff. They begin with a base constructed from crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (we use Oreos), melted butter, and a agency press—that is all it takes to make this fan-favorite crust. Tricia makes use of simply sufficient butter to bind the crumbs, however not a lot that the bottom turns greasy. She then packs the crumbs tightly into the pan to make sure clear slices. A fast freeze locks every part in place, so the bars keep intact, not crumbly. Chocolatey and reliable, the crust is able to meet its excellent match: a wealthy peanut butter filling. There isn’t any denying the chemistry between these two.

The Cheesecake Layer: Mild, Fluffy, and Stuffed with Peanut Butter Taste

Tricia wished a balanced cheesecake that was wealthy with out being too heavy. That begins with correctly softened cream cheese, which whips up easy and lump-free at room temperature. For unmistakable peanut butter taste and the best texture, she recommends utilizing sweetened creamy peanut butter corresponding to Skippy or Peter Pan—a lot of these creamy peanut butter are emulsified, which suggests they mix seamlessly into the filling with out separating or turning oily.

As soon as the cream cheese combination is whipped till easy and creamy, it is folded with simply sufficient whipped cream to lighten and elevate the feel with out dulling its richness. The completed filling is then unfold over the cookie crust.

To High It All Off

As a result of chocolate actually does make every part higher, a skinny layer of silky ganache ties all the weather collectively. Tricia provides a splash of corn syrup, which helps the ganache keep shiny and pliable after refrigeration, so whenever you slice into the chilled bars, the topping yields cleanly with out cracking or turning boring. A handful of chopped roasted, salted peanuts on high provides crunch and a pleasantly salty notice, balancing all that sweetness. For a closing flourish, a couple of flakes of sea salt (we love Maldon) make it really feel further polished, although it is fully non-obligatory.

Make-Forward Magic

Probably the greatest components of this recipe—apart from how good it tastes—is how simply it matches into your schedule. You can also make the crust and filling layer forward of time, chill it in a single day, and end with the ganache the subsequent day if you happen to like. No oven, no fuss—only a creamy, cheerful, crowd-pleasing dessert that is prepared when you find yourself.

Cook dinner Mode
(Maintain display screen awake)