Reese Cup Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

       SO we already know that one of the best flavor combinations in the world has to be peanut butter and chocolate.  Discussion over, case closed.  But how can we make this classic combo even better?  Well, I pondered long and hard on this conundrum and decided that the only solution was to add a third element: cheese.  not just any kind of cheese but a cheesecake!!!

I hope you enjoy this recipe as much as I enjoyed coming up with it!

You’ll need...

Crust:

11/2 cups Chocolate Graham Crackers -Crumbs

2 tbsp Sugar

5 tbsp Butter, softened  

       In a bowl, combine cookie crumbs, sugar, and softened butter.  Stir until the mixture starts to hold together.  Press into the bottom of a greased 9" spring form pan and set aside until needed.

 Cheesecake:

4 8oz Packages of Cream Cheese, softened

1 1/3 Cups Sugar

1/2 tsp Salt

2 tsp Vanilla

2 tsp Chocolate Extract

1 Cup Chocolate Chips, melted

3 tbsp Cocoa Powder

4 Eggs

2/3 Cup Sour Cream

2/3 Cup Heavy Whipping Cream

       Preheat oven to 325°F. 

       Using an electric mixer on medium speed, mix the cream cheese, one block at a time until smooth, soft, and creamy.

       Next, beat in the sugar, extracts, and salt.  Mix well to be sure all the ingredients are completely combined.  Then, whip in the eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition.

       After the eggs are mixed in, Beat in melted chocolate and cocoa. Now beat in both the sour cream and heavy cream until smooth.  Scrape down the sides and bottom of the bowl with a silicone spatula, then whip the ingredients again to make sure everything is blended and there are no more chunks of cream cheese. 

       Pour the mixture into the prepared spring form pan and set the pan on a round cookie sheet (just in case you have any spillage!).  Put it in the oven and bake for 1 hour and 15 minutes.  Once the cheesecake has finished baking, let it sit in the oven for another hour with the oven door shut. 

       After that, take it out of the oven and place it on a hot pad.  Then put it in the fridge so it can finish cooling.

       While you’re waiting for the cheesecake to cool, you can make the topping.  It’s super easy to make and only takes three ingredients!

Whipped Peanut Butter Topping

 

1 Cup Peanut Butter 

1 cup Powdered Sugar 

1 ¼ Cups Heavy whipping Cream 

In a medium bowl, whip the peanut butter until it begins to thin out a bit.  Then whip in the powdered sugar, which will cause the peanut butter to turn into a dough-like consistency.  Whip in a quarter cup of heavy cream to thin out the mixture.  Make sure to smash any clumps of peanut butter so you have a smooth texture throughout.  Set aside for now     

In a chilled metal bowl, whip the remaining one cup of heavy cream until stiff peaks form.  Now, using a rubber spatula, scoop a small amount of the cream into the peanut butter mixture and then fold in.  continue folding small amounts of cream in until there is none remaining and the peanut butter topping is light and fluffy.

        Top the cheesecake with this yummy concoction and then place a cover over the top.  As a final touch to make this dessert extra special, you can garnish the top with some Mini Reese Cups.  It's a nice touch and a fast and easy way to highlight the peanut butter and chocolate flavors in the dish.  Now it’s time to cut, serve, and ENJOY! 

      P.S.  I can't believe this is the first post of 2015!  I'm so thankful for the great, exciting year i had in 2014 and am looking forward to everything to come in the coming year!