I’ve been on a little bit of a cheesecake kick the past week or so.
It started with these Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Bars that I made for People.com. And they were so good that I had to make another batch.
But this time I swapped the cookies for peanut butter cups. The unopened bag sitting on my counter said they wanted me too. So I obliged.
It all starts with a simple graham cracker crust…
Cheesecake bars are super easy. No springform pan. No water bath. No fuss.
After you prepare the crust in an 8×8 baking dish, whip up the batter, mix in cut up peanut butter cups and bake away.
Then cool and cover with chocolate ganache.
And top it all off with more cut peanut butter cups. It’s the right thing.
Then, cut them into cute little squares and enjoy!
Like yum!!!!! These were so good and the perfect sweet snack size.
And you know what… this cheesecake comparison made me realize that as much as I love peanut butter cups, I think I’m an oreo cheesecake girl. But, I kinda feel like I’m cheating on my favorite chocolate candy.
Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Bars
Ingredients
Crust
- 18 Graham cracker squares (1 wrapped package), crushed into crumbs
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted
Filling
- 12 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- 1 egg plus 1 yolk
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
- 24 peanut butter cups, cut into pieces
Ganache
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate morsels
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 10-12 peanut butter cups, cut in half
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
- To make the crust, stir graham cracker crumbs and sugar together in a medium bowl. Add melted butter and stir until completely combined.
- Using the bottom of a glass or measuring cup, firmly press mixture into the bottom of an 8x8 inch baking dish. Bake for 10 minutes, then remove from oven and let cool.
- To make the cheesecake filling, add cream cheese, sugar and flour to a large bowl. Using a mixer on medium-high speed, beat mixture until creamy and combined.
- Turn mixer to low and add egg and yolk, mixing until combined. Add sour cream and vanilla and mix until combined.
- Gently stir in broken candy cups pieces and pour batter in prepared baking dish. Bake for 35-40 minutes, then remove and let cool completely.
- To make the ganache, place chocolate morsels in a large heat-proof bowl and set aside. Add cream and butter to a saucepan and heat on stove at medium high. Remove just before boiling and pour over morsels.
- Let sit for a minute and then stir until completely combined. Add powdered sugar and beat with a wire whisk until smooth. Pour over cooled cheesecake and top with cut candy cups.
- Place cut side down on top of ganache in alternating directions. Try to arrange them to make it easy to cut into even bars without cutting through the cups. It may be easier to eyeball 4 rows of 5, yielding 20 squares. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Cut into bars and serve.
hi
This is the best cheesecake! I’ve used the cheesecake cake recipe many times for blueberry and lemon cheesecake. Who doesn’t love cheesecake??
Sometimes I add just 2 tbsp of creamy peanut butter to the original recipe.
Not the natural kind.jiffy or Kraft original. This cheesecake is ways a hit!
Thanks for the recipe. I’ve loved this recipe and Many more of your recipes for years! Thanks.
That looks so good I think i might faint…
I made this for Easter dessert and just had to come back and say thank you! Bakerella recipes are so dependable, just perfect as is. Super delicious and this one is a keeper!
These look really amazing! I will have to give them a try. Thanks for sharing, and great pictures too by the way. Also, would love it if some people could check out my blog as well at http://www.thecookiethatgives.com and give some feedback!
Would this work if I did do it in a spring form?
delish
yum
I made the cookies and cream ones because I have a family member the can’t have nuts and they were so good! I don’t know if I have ever had “cheese cake” that tasted that good! This was my first time making a cheese cake anything before and I can’t wait to make another! Thank you so much for the recipe! I have to ask, did you make up that recipe or did you get it from somewhere? :) :) :) :)
Craving these right now!
Oh, yum, those look great! i will make these very soon!
Hi! How much in cups of graham crackers would 18 be? Also, what is your altitude, your cookies look amazingly yum, however I have the hardest time w/ cookie conversions at 6,700 ft ;( Thank you for your wonderful blog! I can still look, if it doesn’t come out right ;)
Yum! These bars look delicious!
I think the food gods may have answered my prayers. This dessert is calling my name. Chocolate… peanut butter… in cheesecake! ‘om- nom- nom
So yummy! It’s hard to go wrong with peanut and cheesecake and chocolate!
Wow these cupcake and cheesbars looks scrumptious. I would like to eat this definitely. Thanks for creating this wonderful post :)
Oh, i love the combination! It’s so delicious? Hope you have a great weekend, kisses from Argentina :)
Thanks guys!!!
Teresa- It’s working again now. Pin away. Not sure why it was so glitchy.
Gracie – So happy you made and loved them. YAY!
I am in heaven! I made these bars yesterday (and posted them on my blog–I made sure to mention the developer of such a fantastic recipe!) and they are absolutely amazing. Peanut butter cups + cheesecake = heaven! Thank you so much for sharing such a wonderful recipe! :)
i wish i could easily find reese pb cups in my country, if i do, i am sooooo going to make this! love love love the combination idea!
@ Izzy: Asda has them!
Oh. My. I need these! PEANUT BUTTER CUPS! CHEESECAKE!
This look insanely good – peanut butter cups are like the main reason I go to New York!!
Thanks for posting – now I’m drooling..
– Nina
Have You Heard Of It? bar & restaurant blogger | http://HYHOI.com
I would love to be able to pin this recipe but the image won’t appear with the pin! Not sure if you realized this or not.
could i sub the sour cream for plain greek yogourt?
I will be making these but using nutter butters for the crust instead!
Yum I love cheesecake bites, you don’t have to feel too guilty when you have more than one!
TASTY i am plaing to make it
Yummy!!!! Looks so good! I love all kinds of cheesecake, imagine this..
I. want. this. SO badly. But I don’t have access to a kitchen for another month :'(
rewelacyjnie wygl?da:)
Yes to all the sweet things! We’ll have to try this recipe!
http://www.allnnothing.com
They look AMAZING! I might just have to try these
Sweeettt :D, but trying to lose weight :((((
oh WOW!
looks so delicious!!
x
laura&nora
These look yummy. I’ve made this recipe before using Rolo’s. They were the rave of the party I brought them to. How can you go wrong with cheesecake bars though?
These look delicious! I’ve never tried adding peanut butter and chocolate to a cheesecake, but I think it’s a must! The half Reese cup peaking through the top is adorable.
Yum! I love peanut butter and chocolate so much. This is so tempting…
Cheesecake bars are the best! Love your combos here :) Hope you are having a great summer! xo
Cheesecake bars are the best! Especially PB cup ones!
I love meting PB chips into the graham cracker crust, about 1/2 cup. It gives it more PB goodness!
Yummy!!!
Oh my goodness! I too want to do a face plant in these.
I want to do a face plant into these! Holy yum!
Thank you! After the last post with that yummy cheesecake, which yes, I made … it was awesome! Believe it or not it didn’t crack, so surprised! I think it was your tip about the center being a bit wiggly! It was perfect! Now another cheesecake one to try, thank you for sharing!
Oh my gosh these look soooo good! I don’t know where to find mini peanut butter cups in the UK, but I could cut up the large ones.
The best combination ever! Looooooove cheese cake, peanut butter and reeses. You are the best! Me encanto esta deliciosa receta. Gracias!! ????