No-Bake Buckeye Cheesecake Bars are a heavenly combination of chocolate and peanut butter, inspired by the classic Buckeye candy. This indulgent dessert features a creamy peanut butter cheesecake layer atop a chocolate cookie crust, all finished with a luscious chocolate ganache. Perfect for any occasion, these bars are easy to make and require no oven time!
Why Youโll Love This Recipe
- No baking required: Keep your kitchen cool and hassle-free.
- Perfect flavor pairing: Chocolate and peanut butter are an unbeatable duo.
- Simple yet elegant: Ideal for parties or casual treats.
- Make-ahead friendly: Prepare these bars in advance for effortless serving.
Ingredients
(Tip: Youโll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)
- Chocolate sandwich cookies
- Melted butter
- Cream cheese
- Powdered sugar
- Peanut butter
- Vanilla extract
- Heavy cream
- Semi-sweet chocolate chips
Directions
- Prepare the crust: Crush chocolate sandwich cookies into fine crumbs and mix with melted butter. Press the mixture into an even layer in a lined baking dish and refrigerate.
- Make the cheesecake filling: Beat cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth, then mix in peanut butter and vanilla extract. Whip heavy cream to stiff peaks and fold it into the mixture. Spread the filling evenly over the crust.
- Add the ganache topping: Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with heavy cream until smooth. Pour over the cheesecake layer and spread evenly.
- Chill and serve: Refrigerate the bars until firm, then slice into squares for serving.
Servings and Timing
- Servings: Approximately 12 bars
- Prep time: 25 minutes
- Chill time: 4โ6 hours
Variations
- Nut-free option: Swap peanut butter with sunflower seed butter for a similar texture and flavor.
- Different crust: Use graham crackers, pretzels, or your favorite cookies for a unique twist.
- Dark chocolate: Substitute semi-sweet chocolate chips with dark chocolate for a richer flavor.
- Toppings: Garnish with crushed peanuts, mini chocolate chips, or a drizzle of melted peanut butter.
Storage/Reheating
- Refrigerator: Store in an airtight container for up to 5 days.
- Freezer: Freeze the bars individually wrapped in plastic wrap and stored in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw in the refrigerator before serving.
FAQs
1. Can I use natural peanut butter for this recipe?
Yes, but ensure itโs well-mixed to avoid separating in the cheesecake filling.
2. How do I crush the cookies for the crust?
Use a food processor or place the cookies in a sealed bag and crush them with a rolling pin.
3. Can I use milk chocolate instead of semi-sweet chocolate?
Yes, but the bars may taste sweeter. Adjust based on your preference.
4. Can I make this dessert ahead of time?
Absolutely! Prepare the bars the day before and refrigerate them until ready to serve.
5. What can I use instead of heavy cream?
You can use whipping cream, but the texture may differ slightly.
6. How do I ensure clean slices when cutting the bars?
Use a sharp knife dipped in hot water and wipe it clean between cuts.
7. Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes, by using dairy-free cream cheese, heavy cream, and chocolate chips.
8. Is this dessert gluten-free?
You can make it gluten-free by using gluten-free cookies for the crust.
9. What size baking dish should I use?
An 8ร8-inch dish works well for this recipe.
10. Can I double the recipe?
Yes, simply double the ingredients and use a 9ร13-inch baking dish.
Conclusion
No-Bake Buckeye Cheesecake Bars are the ultimate treat for chocolate and peanut butter lovers. With their creamy texture, rich flavors, and no-bake convenience, theyโre perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth without much effort. Whether for a party or a personal indulgence, this dessert is sure to impress!
Print
No-Bake Buckeye Cheesecake Bars
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 4 hours
- Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
- Yield: 12โ16 bars 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
These No-Bake Buckeye Cheesecake Bars are a delightful twist on the classic Ohio treat! Featuring layers of creamy peanut butter cheesecake, a rich chocolate topping, and a simple cookie crust, theyโre easy to prepare and perfect for any occasion. With no oven required, these bars are a quick and crowd-pleasing dessert.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 2 cups chocolate graham cracker crumbs
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
For the Peanut Butter Cheesecake Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
For the Chocolate Topping:
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust:
- In a bowl, combine chocolate graham cracker crumbs and melted butter. Mix until the texture resembles wet sand.
- Press the mixture evenly into the bottom of a 9ร9-inch pan lined with parchment paper. Chill in the refrigerator for 15โ20 minutes.
- Make the Peanut Butter Cheesecake Layer:
- In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture until fully combined.
- Spread the peanut butter cheesecake layer evenly over the chilled crust. Return to the refrigerator while preparing the topping.
- Prepare the Chocolate Topping:
- In a microwave-safe bowl, combine the chocolate chips and heavy cream. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and glossy.
- Pour the chocolate mixture over the peanut butter layer, spreading evenly.
- Chill and Serve:
- Refrigerate the bars for at least 4 hours or until set.
- Cut into squares and serve chilled.
Notes
- For a firmer cheesecake layer, let the bars chill overnight.
- Garnish with chopped peanuts or drizzle extra peanut butter on top for decoration.
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