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 could be their excellent love youngster. 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 individuals 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 tug off, however filled with payoff. They begin with a base made out of 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 all the pieces 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: Gentle, 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 clean and lump-free at room temperature. For unmistakable peanut butter taste and the perfect texture, she recommends utilizing sweetened creamy peanut butter corresponding to Skippy or Peter Pan—all these creamy peanut butter are emulsified, which implies they mix seamlessly into the filling with out separating or turning oily.

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

To Prime It All Off

As a result of chocolate actually does make all the pieces 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 once 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 observe, 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 totally optionally available.

Make-Forward Magic

Top-of-the-line components of this recipe—in addition to 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 following day when you like. No oven, no fuss—only a creamy, cheerful, crowd-pleasing dessert that is prepared if you find yourself.

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