Description
These No-Bake Buckeye Cheesecake Bars feature a rich and creamy peanut butter cheesecake filling atop a chocolate graham cracker crust, topped with a smooth chocolate ganache. Perfect for peanut butter and chocolate lovers, these easy-to-make bars require no baking and are ideal for a quick dessert or party treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Filling
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
Ganache
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy cream (for ganache)
Instructions
- Prepare the crust: Line an 8×8-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving an overhang for easy removal. In a bowl, combine chocolate graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and salt. Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of the prepared pan to form the crust. Refrigerate while you make the filling.
- Make the filling: In a large mixing bowl, beat together the peanut butter, softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy.
- Whip the cream: In a separate bowl, whip 1 cup of heavy whipping cream until stiff peaks form, then gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture until fully incorporated.
- Assemble the filling layer: Spread the filling evenly over the chilled crust in the pan. Return the pan to the refrigerator to keep cool.
- Prepare the ganache: Heat 1/2 cup heavy cream in a small saucepan over medium heat just until it begins to simmer. Pour the hot cream over the semisweet chocolate chips in a bowl, let it sit for 2 minutes to soften the chocolate, then stir until smooth and glossy.
- Add the ganache topping: Pour the chocolate ganache evenly over the cheesecake filling and spread gently with a spatula.
- Chill the bars: Refrigerate the assembled bars for at least 4 hours, or until the cheesecake and ganache layers are fully set.
- Serve: Once chilled, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the bars out of the pan. Slice into 16 bars and serve chilled. Optionally, garnish with chopped peanuts for added texture.
Notes
- Use full-fat cream cheese for the best creamy texture.
- These bars freeze well; thaw slightly before serving for the best flavor and texture.
- For added crunch, sprinkle chopped peanuts over the ganache before chilling.
