Serves a Crowd

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars

April 25, 2011
5
3 Ratings
  • Makes 9 x 13 inch pan
Author Notes

My family loves cheesecake in pretty much any flavor. This recipe came about because I wanted to make some bar cookies and my son wanted something ”peanut butter”. I have to admit I think I’m finally rubbing off on him because when I asked if he wanted a chocolate layer on top, he said “how about a drizzle.” So here you have it, a peanut butter cookie layer, covered by a peanut butter cheesecake layer, with a drizzle of chocolate on top (and I doubled the crust recipe and made a few peanut butter cookies on the side). It is now my most requested item from family and friends. —simplycooking101

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Ingredients
  • Crust
  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 pound butter (1 stick salted)
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup peanut butter
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • Cheesecake Filling
  • 16 ounces softned cream cheese (2 8 oz pkgs)
  • 1 cup dark brown sugar
  • 1/3 cup peanut butter
  • 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
  • 4 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
  • 4 ounces good quality chocolate
  • 1/2-1 cups peanuts
Directions
  1. Crust
  2. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.
  3. Sift flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt in medium bowl.
  4. In a separate bowl, mix butter until creamy, then add brown sugar beating until fluffy. Add peanut butter and mix, then add the egg and vanilla. Add dry ingredients and mix.
  5. Place dough into the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking pan, flattening to cover the entire surface.
  6. Bake for about 10 minutes until firm, but not fully baked. Remove the pan from the oven leaving the oven on at 350 degrees.
  1. Cheesecake Filling
  2. While the crust is baking, mix cream cheese, brown sugar, peanut butter and flour together until smooth. Add eggs one at a time, then milk mixing just until incorporated. Pour batter into prepared crust.
  3. Place in the oven and bake for 10 minutes, then turn the temperature to 250 and bake for 35-40 minutes longer. The top should be firm but not brown, with a little jiggle in the center (not much though). Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
  4. Prepare Chocolate Drizzle In a microwave safe bowl, heat the cream to just below boiling, about 1 minute. Add the chocolate and stir gently until melted and smooth. Drizzle over the top of the bars. Refrigerate for several hours to overnight, then sprinkle with peanuts and slice into squares (it is very rich but we still manage to eat pretty good sized squares).

See what other Food52ers are saying.

12 Reviews

Crickett July 3, 2013
HELP!! Do you really turn the oven down to 250 for 30-40 minutes or is that a typo? How will it cook at that low of a temp? HELP
AppleAnnie April 28, 2011
A great recipe, I look forward to trying this soon!
drbabs April 27, 2011
my husband would love this...great recipe!
lapadia April 27, 2011
Your family and friends are so lucky, love the combo in this recipe, wish I could grab a bar out of the computer screen to try one...now!!
My P. April 26, 2011
Whoa. I have saved this recipe and now will be searching for any excuse to make these bars. Thank you for sharing!
student E. April 25, 2011
omg, i want one now!
simplycooking101 April 25, 2011
Thank you all. They are great and I usually make a double batch of the "crust" as it makes wonderful cookies.
Panfusine April 25, 2011
decadent sounding , a perfect classic!
inpatskitchen April 25, 2011
Oh my! My children and grandchildren are going to LOVE these!
Midge April 25, 2011
I'm such a sucker for peanut butter; these sound really good.
simplycooking101 April 25, 2011
Thanks!
AntoniaJames April 25, 2011
Crazy good. No wonder you get so many requests for them. Yummmmm. ;o)