Friday, September 26, 2014

Dee's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

By popular demand, here is the recipe for Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake made famous by my mother-in-law.

Dee's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

Crust:
1 1/4 c graham cracker crumbs
1/4 c crushed Oreo cookies
1/4 c sugar
6 tbsp butter, melted

3/4 c creamy peanut butter

Filling:
8, 8 oz pkgs cream cheese, sofened (in a pinch, take off the paper box, and line them up on your stove while you pre-heat the oven for the crust...turn frequently)
1 c sugar
1 c sour cram
3 eggs, lightly beaten
3 tsp vanilla
1 c hot fudge topping, divided
6 peanut butter cups, cut into small wedges (8 per cup)


  1. Pre-heat oven to 350.
  2. Prepare crust
    1. Combine graham cracker crumbs, Oreo crumbs, sugar, and melted butter. (A food processor is handy for this task.)
    2. Press into the bottom of a greased and floured spring form pan. Press up the sides 1 inch.
    3. Place pan on a baking sheet and bake for 7-9 minutes or until set.
    4. Cool on a wire rack.
  3. Place cake pan with water 1/2 way up on the bottom rack of the still hot oven.
  4. In a microwave safe bowl, melt the peanut butter. Spread it over the prepared crust within 1 inch of the edges. Set aside.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar, and sour cream until smooth. Add eggs. Beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in vanilla. 
  6. Pour 1 c filling into a bowl, and set aside.
  7. Pour remaining filling over peanut butter and crust.
  8. In a microwave safe bowl, melt 1/4 c hot fudge for 30 seconds or until thin.
  9. Fold into set aside filling.
  10. Carefully spoon over filling and cut with a knife to swirl.
  11. Place pan on baking sheet. Bake for 55-65 minutes or until center is almost set.
  12. Remove cheesecake and water pan (I always forget that guy).
  13. Cool on wire rack 10 minutes.
  14. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen cake.
  15. Cook an additional hour.
  16. Garnish with peanut butter cup wedges, and drizzle with softened hot fudge.
  17. Chill overnight, eat, and become comatose. Serves 12-14.