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Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars

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Creamy peanut butter cheesecake bars with chocolate and a cookie crust will make you wish that every day was Chocolate Peanut Butter Day.


Buckeye (Chocolate and Peanut Butter) Cheesecake Bars

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 Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars.


Buckeye (Chocolate and Peanut Butter) 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.


Buckeye (Chocolate and Peanut Butter) Cheesecake Bars

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.


Buckeye (Chocolate and Peanut Butter) Cheesecake Bars

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?

If you love these peanut butter cheesecake bars, then you’ll love my peanut butter cheesecake brownies.

Buckeye (Chocolate and Peanut Butter) Cheesecake Bars

Buckeye (Chocolate and Peanut Butter) Cheesecake Bars

Yield: 16 squares

Creamy peanut butter cheesecake bars with chocolate and a cookie crust will make you wish that every day was Chocolate Peanut Butter Day.

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

  1. Preheat oven to 350F. Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.

Did you make this recipe?

Let me know what you think! Rate the recipe above, leave a comment below, and/or share a photo on Instagram using #HITKrecipes All recipes are tested in a U.S. kitchen with U.S. ingredients at normal elevation using a conventional gas oven. Results may vary.

© Carla Cardello
Cuisine: American / Category: Cheesecake

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


Double Peanut Butter Surprise Cookies


Peanut Butter Cup Bars

Did you make my recipe?

Please let me know by sharing a photo in my private Facebook group or uploading and tagging me on Instagram using #HITKrecipes (Note: If your Instagram account is private, I won't be able to see your photo)

Reader Interactions

Comments

  3. 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!!

    Reply

  4. 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.

    Reply

  5. 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!

    Reply

  9. 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!!

    Reply

  12. 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!

    Reply

  21. 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.

    Reply

  24. 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!

    Reply

  25. 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!

    Reply

  27. 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!

    Reply

  28. Amy L says

    I love peanut butter buckeyes. I make a couple hundred of them during the holidays. They’re everyone’s favorite!

    Reply

  34. 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.

    Reply

  37. 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!

    Reply

  49. 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

    Reply

    • 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.

      Reply

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