Description
Delicious and creamy chocolate peanut butter cheesecake bars featuring a crunchy chocolate cookie crust, smooth peanut butter cheesecake filling, and a marbled chocolate topping. Perfectly baked and chilled for a rich, indulgent dessert that’s easy to make and sure to satisfy any sweet tooth.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate cookie crumbs (such as Oreos, finely crushed)
- 1/4 cup melted butter
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese (softened)
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Topping
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (melted)
- Optional: additional chocolate chips or chopped peanuts for topping
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Preheat your oven to 325°F (163°C) and line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper. In a small bowl, combine the chocolate cookie crumbs with the melted butter, mixing thoroughly until well combined. Press this mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form a solid crust layer.
- Mix the cheesecake filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and granulated sugar until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition to fully incorporate. Next, add the creamy peanut butter and vanilla extract, mixing until the batter is smooth and evenly combined.
- Assemble the bars: Pour the prepared cheesecake batter over the pressed crust in the pan, smoothing the top evenly. Drizzle the melted semi-sweet chocolate chips over the batter, then use a knife to gently swirl the chocolate into a marbled pattern for an attractive finish.
- Bake the cheesecake bars: Place the pan in the preheated oven and bake for 30 to 35 minutes, or until the center is just set but still slightly jiggly. Remove from the oven and allow the bars to cool completely at room temperature.
- Chill before serving: Once cooled, refrigerate the cheesecake bars for at least 3 hours to allow them to firm up fully. Before slicing into 16 bars, optionally top with additional chocolate chips or chopped peanuts for added texture and flavor.
Notes
- For a firmer crust, bake the crust alone for 8 minutes prior to adding the cheesecake filling.
- Using natural peanut butter gives a less sweet flavor; make sure it is well stirred before use.
