Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Total Time

Prep: 40 min. Bake: 65 min. + chilling

Makes

12 servings

Updated: Sep. 30, 2022
Family and friends always ooh and aah when I bring out this tempting cheesecake after holiday dinners! Filled with peanut butter and cream cheese and drizzled with chocolate in a fudge crust, it's a showstopper. —H.L. Sosnowski, Grand Island, New York
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Recipe photo by Taste of Home

Ingredients

  • BROWNIE CRUST:
  • 1/4 cup butter, cubed
  • 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1-1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 ounce semisweet chocolate, chopped
  • FILLING:
  • 1 jar (12 ounces) creamy peanut butter
  • 11 ounces cream cheese, softened
  • 1 cup packed brown sugar
  • 3 large eggs, room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • TOPPING:
  • 3/4 cup sour cream
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • Optional: Salted peanuts and melted semisweet chocolate

Directions

  1. In a microwave, melt butter and unsweetened chocolate; stir until smooth. Set aside. In a large bowl, beat brown sugar and eggs until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in chocolate mixture and vanilla. Combine flour and baking powder; gradually add to batter and mix well. Stir in chopped chocolate.
  2. Spread 1 cup into a greased 9-in. springform pan. Cover and refrigerate remaining batter. Place pan on a baking sheet. Bake at 350° for 17-19 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool on a wire rack for 5 minutes; place in freezer for 15 minutes.
  3. For filling, in a large bowl, beat the peanut butter, cream cheese and brown sugar until smooth. Add eggs and sour cream; beat on low speed just until blended. Spread remaining brownie batter about 1-1/2 in. high around sides of pan, sealing to baked crust.
  4. Pour filling into center. Bake at 350° for 45 minutes or until center is almost set.
  5. For topping, combine sour cream and sugar; spread over filling to within 3/4 in. of edges. Return cheesecake to the oven; turn oven off and let stand for 5 minutes. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. If desired, top with peanuts and drizzle with melted chocolate. Refrigerate leftovers.

Nutrition Facts

1 slice: 564 calories, 36g fat (16g saturated fat), 144mg cholesterol, 306mg sodium, 51g carbohydrate (41g sugars, 2g fiber), 14g protein.