Description
Delicious and indulgent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars featuring a crunchy Oreo crust, creamy peanut butter cheesecake layer, a rich peanut caramel topping, and a smooth chocolate ganache, perfect for chocolate and peanut butter lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust:
- 2 cups Oreo cookie crumbs
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Cheesecake Layer:
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup peanut butter
Peanut Caramel Layer:
- 1/2 cup chopped peanuts
- 1/2 cup caramel sauce
Chocolate Topping:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup peanut butter chips
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) and grease a 9×13-inch baking pan to prevent sticking.
- Mix Oreo Crust: In a bowl, combine the Oreo cookie crumbs with the melted butter until the mixture is evenly moistened.
- Press Crust: Firmly press the Oreo and butter mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan to form an even crust layer.
- Bake Crust: Bake the crust for 8-10 minutes in the preheated oven. Remove and allow it to cool completely to ensure a firm base for the cheesecake layer.
- Prepare Cheesecake Mixture: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with the granulated sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Add Eggs: Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate them into the mixture.
- Add Flavorings: Stir in the vanilla extract and peanut butter until the mixture is smooth and homogenous.
- Pour Cheesecake Layer: Pour the cheesecake batter over the cooled crust and spread evenly.
- Bake Cheesecake: Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until the center is set but still slightly jiggly. Remove and cool completely to room temperature.
- Add Peanut Caramel Layer: Sprinkle the chopped peanuts evenly over the cooled cheesecake layer.
- Drizzle Caramel Sauce: Drizzle the caramel sauce gently over the peanuts, distributing it evenly.
- Heat Heavy Cream: In a small saucepan, warm the heavy cream over medium heat until it begins to simmer, then remove from heat.
- Melt Chocolate: Pour the hot cream over the semi-sweet chocolate chips and stir consistently until the chocolate is fully melted and the mixture is smooth.
- Spread Chocolate Topping: Spread the chocolate ganache evenly over the peanut caramel layer.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the peanut butter chips and additional chocolate chips evenly on top for extra flavor and texture.
- Chill Bars: Refrigerate the entire pan for at least 3 hours until set and firm enough to cut.
- Serve: Cut into 24 bars and enjoy these decadent chocolate peanut butter cheesecake bars.
Notes
- Allowing the crust and cheesecake layers to cool completely before adding subsequent layers helps maintain clean layers and prevents mixing.
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the best creamy texture and flavor.
- You can substitute caramel sauce with homemade caramel for a richer taste.
- Store the bars in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4 days.
- For extra crunch, toast the chopped peanuts before sprinkling.
