Description
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars offer a creamy, rich dessert experience that perfectly balances the smoothness of cheesecake with the nutty, comforting flavor of peanut butter. They are easy to make, customizable, and ideal for any occasion, providing an irresistible blend of sweet, savory, and slightly tangy notes in every bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1 1/2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Cheesecake Filling
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 2 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup peanut butter (creamy or chunky)
- Pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the Crust: Combine crushed graham crackers with melted butter and a pinch of sugar until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press this mixture evenly into the bottom of a parchment-lined baking pan to form the crust base.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling: Beat the cream cheese until smooth. Gradually add sugar, eggs, vanilla extract, peanut butter, and a pinch of salt. Mix until the batter is silky, well blended, and lump-free.
- Assemble and Bake: Pour the peanut butter cheesecake filling over the prepared crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Bake at 325°F (163°C) for about 35-40 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still slightly jiggles for a creamy texture.
- Cool and Chill: Let the bars cool at room temperature before placing them in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours or overnight. Chilling helps firm up the bars and enhances the flavors.
- Slice and Serve: Once fully chilled, carefully cut the bars into squares using a sharp knife. For clean slices, warm the knife under hot water and wipe it dry between cuts.
Notes
- Use room temperature ingredients to ensure even mixing and a smooth cheesecake filling.
- Don’t overbake the bars; baking just until the edges are set keeps the texture creamy.
- Use fresh cream cheese, avoiding overly dense brands to keep the bars light and creamy.
- Chill thoroughly for at least 4 hours to let the flavors meld and bars firm up perfectly.
- Line your baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal and neat slicing.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 35-40 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bar
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 8g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 60mg
Keywords: peanut butter, cheesecake bars, creamy dessert, easy dessert, gluten-free dessert, no bake option, rich dessert