Craving a decadent dessert that combines rich chocolate with the creamy goodness of peanut butter? My Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake is your answer! This no-bake treat merges the flavors of chocolate and peanut butter in perfect harmony, all on a velvety Oreo crust. Whether it’s for a special occasion or just a weekend indulgence, this dessert is sure to impress everyone. Let me guide you through the easy steps to achieve cheesecake perfection.
Ingredients & Required Kitchen Tools
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s make sure we have everything we need!
Ingredients:
For the Crust:
- 2 cups Oreo baking crumbs
- ½ cup salted butter, melted
For the Cheesecake Filling:
- 16 ounces full-fat cream cheese, softened
- 1 ½ cups powdered sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup whipping cream
- 1 cup peanut butter cups, chopped (approximately 12 PB cups)
For the Ganache:
- ½ cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons creamy peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon corn syrup (or honey)
- ½ cup whipping cream
Required Kitchen Tools:
- 9-inch Springform Pan: Ensures the cheesecake comes out perfectly shaped without sticking.
- Non-stick Cooking Spray: To lightly grease your pan for easy cake removal.
- Mixing Bowls: To combine the ingredients for each part of the recipe.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: Precise measurements will ensure a flawless result.
- Electric Handheld Mixer: Makes the blending of your ingredients fast and easy.
- Silicone Spatula: Perfect for spreading, folding, and making sure nothing goes to waste.
- Whisk: To gently mix the ganache to a smooth consistency.
Making the Crust
Now that we have our ingredients and tools ready, we’ll begin by creating the base of the cheesecake: the dark and delicious Oreo crust. This step is simple yet crucial because it sets the foundation for all the creamy goodness we’ll be adding later.
Step-by-Step: How to Make the Oreo Crust
- Lightly Grease the Pan:
Begin by lightly coating the bottom and sides of your 9-inch springform pan with non-stick cooking spray. This will make it easier to release the cheesecake later, ensuring smooth edges. - Mix the Crust Ingredients:
In a mixing bowl, combine the 2 cups of Oreo baking crumbs with ½ cup of melted salted butter. Stir together using a spatula until the crumbs are evenly coated in butter and have a moist, sandy texture. - Press the Crust into the Pan:
Transfer the Oreo mixture into the greased springform pan. Use the spatula (or the back of a spoon) to firmly press down the crumbs, creating an even, compact layer of crust across the bottom of the pan. Make sure there are no loose crumbs! - Chill the Crust:
Place the springform pan into the refrigerator to allow the crust to firm up while you move on to making the cheesecake filling.
Making the Cheesecake Filling
Now that our crust is chilling, it’s time to move on to the star of the show: the creamy peanut butter cheesecake filling! This no-bake filling is rich and luscious, thanks to the perfect combination of smooth cream cheese, peanut butter, and fluffy whipped cream. Let’s start whipping it up!
Step-by-Step: How to Make the Peanut Butter Cheesecake Filling
- Beat the Cream Cheese, Sugar, Peanut Butter, and Vanilla Extract:
In a large mixing bowl, add 16 ounces of softened cream cheese, 1 ½ cups of powdered sugar, 1 cup of creamy peanut butter, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
Using your electric handheld mixer, start mixing these ingredients on low speed to avoid the powdered sugar dust cloud. Gradually increase the speed to high and beat the mixture until it becomes smooth and creamy, with no lumps left behind. - Whip the Cream:
Pour 1 cup of whipping cream into the same bowl with the peanut butter mixture. Begin mixing on low speed , then gradually increase to a high speed and keep beating until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. This will give the cheesecake filling that airy, melt-in-your-mouth texture we love. - Add the Peanut Butter Cups:
Now for the fun part! Gently fold in 1 cup of chopped peanut butter cups (approximately 12 mini cups). Use a silicone spatula to carefully incorporate the pieces without deflating the whipped cream. You should have big chunks of peanut butter cups scattered evenly throughout the filling. - Spread the Filling:
Once everything is thoroughly mixed, remove your chilled Oreo crust from the fridge. Spoon the peanut butter filling into the pan over the crust, spreading it evenly with the silicone spatula or the back of a spoon. Smooth the top out as much as possible to prepare for the ganache topping. - Chill the Cheesecake:
Cover the pan with plastic wrap (or foil) and pop it back into the fridge while you prepare the final touch: the chocolate ganache!
Making the Ganache & Finishing the Cheesecake
We’re in the final stretch! All that’s left to do is make the beautiful, glossy chocolate ganache topping—a silky layer of chocolate and peanut butter that takes this cheesecake to the next level. Once that’s done, we’ll put it all together and finish with a few final touches.
Step-by-Step: How to Make the Ganache
- Combine the Ganache Ingredients:
In a heat-safe mixing bowl, add ½ cup of semisweet chocolate chips , 2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter , and 1 tablespoon of corn syrup (or honey). The corn syrup/honey helps give the ganache a gorgeous shine, but it also adds a touch of sweetness. - Heat the Whipping Cream:
In a small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl, heat ½ cup of whipping cream until it reaches a scalding point—you want it just before boiling, but not quite bubbling over. If you’re using a microwave, heat it in short bursts of 20-30 seconds, stirring in between, until it’s hot but not boiling. - Pour the Hot Cream Over the Chocolate Mixture:
Carefully pour the hot whipping cream over the chocolate mixture in your bowl. Let it sit for about 2 minutes so the heat can melt the chocolate and peanut butter. - Whisk Until Smooth:
After letting the mixture sit, start whisking it gently until it turns into a smooth, glossy ganache. Make sure all the chocolate has melted and incorporated fully with the other ingredients. The texture should be luxuriously smooth! - Cool the Ganache:
Let the ganache cool for a few minutes at room temperature so it’s not too runny when you pour it over the cheesecake but still pourable.
Step-by-Step: Assembling & Finishing the Cheesecake
- Pour the Ganache over the Cheesecake:
Take your cheesecake (still in the springform pan) out of the fridge. Slowly pour the room-temperature ganache over the top of your peanut butter cheesecake. Use a silicone spatula to gently spread the ganache over the surface, reaching the edges. Be sure to create an even layer! - Chill the Cheesecake Again:
Once the ganache is evenly spread, cover the cheesecake again and place it back in the fridge. You’ll need to refrigerate it for at least 4 hours (but overnight is best!) to ensure everything sets properly, and the flavors meld together beautifully. - Optional Drizzle & Toppings:
Before serving, feel free to drizzle some melted peanut butter on top for extra flair! A few more chopped peanut butter cups or whipped cream on the side can also make a delicious and visually appealing garnish if you’re feeling fancy. - Serve & Enjoy:
Once fully chilled and set, slice up your masterpiece, serve with a dollop of whipped cream, and watch it disappear—everyone will be asking for seconds!
Storage Tip:
Should you have leftovers (though it’s unlikely!), keep them in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days . You can also freeze individual slices for up to 1 month —just thaw in the fridge when you’re ready for another indulgent bite.
And there you have it! The most decadent, creamy Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake that’ll have everyone swooning over every bite. Time to enjoy the fruits (or cheesecake?) of your labor!
Conclusion
I hope you enjoy your Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake as much as I enjoy making it. This recipe is perfect for anyone with a sweet tooth, and it’s sure to be a hit at any gathering or celebration.
Remember, the key to this cheesecake is chilling it long enough for all the layers to set properly—patience is your best friend here!
Whether you drizzle it with some extra melted peanut butter or serve it alongside a scoop of ice cream, don’t be afraid to get creative with the presentation.
Have fun in the kitchen, and enjoy every peanut-butter-chocolatey bite! 🍫🥜🎂