Creamy peanut butter cheesecake bars with chocolate and a cookie crust will make you wish that every day was Chocolate Peanut Butter Day.
Today is the day I’ve been waiting for all year – I, along with Miriam of Overtime Cook, are declaring March 25 as Chocolate Peanut Butter Day! Miriam and I have been talking about this day for a really long time. Texts and emails back and forth “We really need to do a chocolate peanut butter day!” “When are we planning this?” “We really need to plan this.” Finally we picked a date and ran with it. If you love chocolate and peanut butter as much as we do, you’ll want to keep reading.
Want to know how I made chocolate peanut butter even better? Turn it into Buckeye Cheesecake Bars.
Chocolate and peanut butter has been one of my favorite dessert combinations since forever ago. Which is funny because my mom doesn’t like peanut butter, so I don’t often make peanut butter desserts for the whole family. If I do, I try to have something special for her so she’s not left out. It’s safe to say the chocolate peanut butter gene comes from my dad.
For those of you not familiar with buckeyes, they are a chocolate peanut butter candy named after the state of Ohio (pretty much peanut butter balls dipped in chocolate). I’ve never actually made buckeyes before but have eaten my fair share from cookie trays. When you bite into one of these bars, imagine a chocolate cookie crust with a creamy, luscious peanut butter cheesecake filling on top.
So I need to know – do you eat cheesecake bars with your fingers or with your spoon? I couldn’t decide which way to go, so I ate one with my fingers and one with my spoon. That only seems fair to test both ways, right?
Buckeye (Chocolate and Peanut Butter) Cheesecake Bars
Yield: 16
Plan ahead because these bars need to chill at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs
- 4 tablespoons melted butter
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 eggs
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
- In a medium bowl, mix together the cookie crumbs and butter. Pat into the bottom of the pan. Bake 10 minutes or until set. Let cool.
- In a large mixing bowl, beat together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, until fully incorporated then beat in the peanut butter and vanilla. Spread into the pan and bake 35-40 minutes or until the top is firm and the center slightly jiggles. Cool completely.
- Once the bars are cool, melt together the chocolate chips and the cream (either in the microwave or in a bowl over simmering water on the stove). Spread on top of the cheesecake then chill in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. Cut into bars before serving. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Source: Adapted from Taste Of Home
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If you enjoyed these Buckeye Cheesecake Bars, you may also enjoy these chocolate peanut butter recipes from me:
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Squares
Peanut Butter Cup Ice Cream (No Cook, Egg Free)
Peanut Butter Cup Sandwich Cookies
Colleen (Souffle Bombay) says
Carla those are insane!! I want to scrape my fork across my screen (great shot)! Thanks SO much for this fun celebration of all that is Chocolate & PB!! YUM!
Becca from It's Yummi! says
Girlyfriend, I’m DYING! Can I have a stack for breakfast and pretend it’s healthy? After all, magical things happen when it’s #chocPBday!
Alice // Hip Foodie Mom says
I also get my peanut butter gene (along with my sweet tooth) from my dad! My mom doesn’t like the stuff. Carla!!! these buckeye chocolate and peanut butter cheesecake bars are brilliant and look SO good!!!!! so rich and decadent. . I love it!! This is the only way to do chocolate peanut butter day, yo. And a huge thank you to you and Miriam! you guys rock and are so organized and on top of everything! #chocPBday woot woot!!
Stacy says
Ooooh, those bars would be a favorite at our house, Carla! There is NO BETTER combination than chocolate and peanut butter. And that’s the truth! Thank you so much for organizing this celebration and the giveaways. I can’t wait to go through and see everyone’s wonderful recipes.
Faith @ Pixie Dust Kitchen says
I had a teacher in high school who always gave us buckeyes right before christmas… I haven’t had any since so I think it’s high time to do so! I’m not a cheesecake person but I think I would love this one, covered in chocolate and peanut butter!
Lynda M. says
My fave is chocolate cupcakes with peanut butter frosting topped with a mini Reeses cup – yum!
Jennie @themessybakerblog says
Drool! Love this new holiday. Honestly, this is the best holiday ever! These look amazing.
Lily Sheng says
My favorite is a Peanut Butter Chocolate Shake!
Susan S says
One favorite chocolate/peanut butter treat? Any combo is great but I would have to say peanut butter balls or just a Hershey bar with a jar of peanut butter!!
Jennifer | Bake or Break says
These look so good! I’m such a sucker for chocolate + peanut butter. I hate I missed out on the big day!
Lauren Kelly Nutrition says
I can’t wait to make these, they look amazing!
Renee says
Yes, absolutely must try eating one with a spoon and one with your fingers. Then maybe one with a fork too. Might as well make an excuse to eat as many of these as possible. Thanks so much for putting all of this special event together. What fun!
Lisa says
Cheesecake is one of my favorite desserts! Yum!
Caroline @ CarolineKaufmanNutrition says
Nothing can beat my mom’s frozen buckeyes, which were my favorite treat growing up.
Caroline @ CarolineKaufmanNutrition says
Nothing can beat my mom’s frozen buckeyes, which were my favorite treat growing up.
Deanna Segrave-Daly says
I must commend you and Miriam for picking a day to be Chocolate Peanut Butter day – my kind of heaven!!
Betsy @ Desserts Required says
Which was better, eating these DELISH bars with your fingers or with a fork?
Congrats on a great roundup!!!
LauriM says
I love buckeyes! Simple, but delicious PB&C goodness!
Kayle (The Cooking Actress) says
ahhhh my homeland. Ohio. Buckeyes are one of the best things about the state lol. These bars look INSANE Carla!!! Thank you so much for hosting this epic day!
Brianne @ Cupcakes & Kale Chips says
Fingers definitely, so that you can lick off all the peanut buttery goodness!
Liz says
SO glad I’m hosting book club next month. I’m definitely making your amazing cheesecake bars! Wow!
Jen says
I don’t like peanut butter and chocolate…UNLESS it’s peanut butter sheet cake with chocolate frosting. Then all bets are off.
Courtney @ Neighborfood says
I loooove these. The cookie crust plus cheesecake center? Gimme! And it’s not just because I’m a Buckeye myself. :)
Erin @ The Spiffy Cookie says
I may have also made cheesecakes but I want yours as well. They look so good!
annie says
My favorite peanut butter chocolate treat is a tie…..Buckeyes of course and BlueBell Chocolate Peanut Butter Ice Cream…..both are fantastic. Tomorrow is my husband’s birthday and I just showed him this picture…..we are making these for his birthday dessert! Thanks so much for the inspiration and the new holiday!
Nancy @ gottagetbaked says
I am SOOOOO happy you and Miriam declared today to be Choc&PB day. We need more days as delicious as this because we all know that choc & PB make everything better. Girl, you are the queen of choc ‘n PB recipes. These buckeye cheesecake bars look divine. I mean, seriously, that peanut butter cheesecake layer looks decadently rich and creamy. I love this. Thank you so much for doing all this work and getting us together! I hope you had a delicious day!
Becca from ItsYummi! says
I’ve quoted Mr. Fred Rogers on many occasions, but today, I’ll take his best words and serve them up to you, Carla…. “Won’t you be my neighbor?” :D
Kelli's Kitchen says
Wow – these look wonderful! I love buckeyes and you have done away with all the peskiness of getting another and another – I can just eat a pan full! Pinned and Tweeted tonight, stumble FB and Google+ tomorrow!
Amy L says
I love peanut butter buckeyes. I make a couple hundred of them during the holidays. They’re everyone’s favorite!
Meriem @ Culinary Couture says
These sound utterly phenomenal!
Kathie Craig says
I like vanilla or chocolate ice cream that has peanut butter cups and fudge swirls in it.
Miriam @ OvertimeCook says
Carla, these look amazing! I really wish we were neighbors, but I guess it’s a good thing we aren’t or I would stuff my face with cheesecake too often!
Anita at Hungry Couple says
I…I…I…I have no words other than YES! WANT! GIMME! Excuse me while I go wipe off the drool.
Cindys Recipes and Writings says
These are over the top good, Carla! Thanks for hosting!
Susan Christy says
I’ve been addicted to Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups for over 50 years (thanks, dad) and eating Baskin Robbins Peanut Butter & Chocolate Ice Cream makes me pretty happy.
Anna (Hidden Ponies) says
These ingredients definitely deserve their own day! I’d go with the finger option I’m sure, these sound amazing :)
RavieNomNoms says
So many recipes!! How amazing!
Renee - Kudos Kitchen says
I think you win the prize for the most, and best, chocolate peanut butter recipes on one blog! These bars and a mile high. I just LOVE them!!! Thanks for all your hard work in making #chocPBday a huge success, Carla!
Carrie @ poet in the pantry says
Thank you for letting me be a part of the awesomeness that is Chocolate Peanut Butter Day! As for cheesecake bars…hmmm… spoon? Hands? I can’t decide! Love your recipe, though!
Jen @ Jen's Favorite Cookies says
I’m going to be obsessively dreaming about these until I can make a batch myself!
Shawn @ IWYD says
Are you kidding me right now?! These look AMAZING!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!!
Jina @ Pink Piccadilly Pastries says
What a great idea! So many yummy ideas!!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust says
Seriously? OMG. Like, drooling here!
Angela {Mind Over Batter} says
I eat my cheesecake with a spoon, but what I really want to do is go Pac Man on these!
Roxana | Roxana's Home Baking says
HA! I don’t use my fingers or a spoon, I eat cheesecake with a fork. There you have it, three ways to eat these scrumptious bars!
Cailin says
I LOVE a good peanut butter krispie treat with chocolate ganache! Yum!
Sarah says
Yay for cheesecake anything – and when PB and chocolate are involved more the better!
[email protected] says
Carla,
I live in Ohio so I’ll all over this Buckeye business.
This looks delicious!
Terri/LoveandConfections says
Buckeyes are fabulous! My friend introduced them to me a few years ago and now I can’t wait until we make them every year.
Sigita @ Visiedieni says
Although I haven’t tried to make these, they look like they taste amazing. Love the way yo have presented it. Will pin it to my board of To do’s. Thanks
plasterers bristol says
This sounds amazing. Gonna have to try making this. Thanks so much for sharing.
Simon
Allison says
Drool! Love this new holiday. Honestly, this is the best holiday ever! These look amazing.
Carla says
It sure is!
Heather says
Do you think I could sub half & half? I have all of the ingredients on hand except heavy cream, but I do have half & half1
Carla says
I’m not sure how well it’ll set up due to less fat content. Melting the chocolate and cream together makes a ganache, which needs heavy cream to set up properly. Since you’re melting chocolate chips instead of regular baking chocolate you might be ok after it hardens, but I haven’t tried it with half and half. Since it’s only 2 tablespoons, you’re probably ok. Worst case it’ll be on the softer side and a little messier.