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Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

If peanut butter cups are your favorite candy, this Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake will be your new favorite dessert! A creamy layer of cheesecake is loaded with chopped peanut butter cups and sandwiched between a chocolatey Oreo crust and rich milk chocolate topping.

Side view of Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake slice on plate, showing height

Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

While I haven’t done any official polling, I think it’s safe to say that Reese’s peanut butter cups are one of the most popular treats in the checkout aisle at the supermarket.

So, naturally, it follows that this Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake will be the hit of your next party. It’s an absolute showstopper—the kind of mile-high cheesecake you just can’t help ooh and ahh over.

And if there’s any dessert that deserves oohs and ahhs, it’s cheesecake. There’s a bit of effort and finesse involved, but I always use the baking method from Mary Crownover’s book, which I’ve found to be foolproof. No messy water bath and no cracking!

Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake on cake stand

You’ll bake the Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes. Then, decrease the temperature to 200 degrees and bake for 2 hours more. Run a thin, narrow spatula around the sides of the cake and return it to the oven—this time, the oven should be turned off completely. After two more hours, you’ll refrigerate the cheesecake overnight. 

The result is an incredible cheesecake with a rich, creamy texture—and lots of peanut butter cup flavor in every delectable bite.

Overhead view of ingredients for Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

What You’ll Need

Scroll down to the recipe card to find the ingredient quantities and recipe instructions.

Crust:

Filling:

  • Cream cheese – Let the cream cheese come to room temperature; this allows it to mix smoothly into the other ingredients.
  • Eggs
  • Light brown sugar – Light brown sugar has a more subtle flavor than dark, which is perfect for this recipe. Learn more: Light Brown Sugar vs Dark Brown Sugar: What’s the Difference?
  • Creamy peanut butter
  • Heavy cream – Don’t substitute anything lighter! You’re making a cheesecake, so you might as well go all in.
  • Vanilla extract – Store-bought or homemade vanilla extract.
  • Regular-sized peanut butter cups – Pop them in the freezer for a bit to keep them from sticking to your knife when you chop them.

Topping:

  • Milk chocolate – You could use dark chocolate, but milk chocolate is key to that classic Reese’s peanut butter cup flavor.
  • Sour cream
Overhead view of peanut butter and sugar added to bowl of cheesecake batter

What kind of peanut butter is good for baking?

When you’re baking, you always want to use traditional, shelf-stable peanut butter—not the natural kind that needs to be stirred or stored in the refrigerator.

While we love natural peanut butter on a PB&J sandwich, it’s not ideal for baking. That’s because the oil content and consistency can vary depending on the temperature and whether you’re scooping the peanut butter from the top of the jar or the bottom. That variability means natural peanut butter can be unpredictable when you’re baking with it.

Overhead view of Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake on plate with tip on fork

How to Make Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

It does take some time to make this Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake recipe, but the good news is that most of it is hands-off. 

Make the Crust:

Prepare. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 10-inch springform pan.

Make the crust mixture. Combine the cookies and peanuts in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until the cookies and nuts are chopped finely and well-combined. Pour in the melted butter and pulse again until the crumb mixture is wet.

Overhead view of cookie crust in springform pan

Form the crust. Transfer the crumb mixture to the prepared pan. Use clean hands to press the crumbs firmly into the bottom and up the sides.

Make the Filling:

Beat the cream cheese and eggs. Use an electric mixer on medium speed to beat the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl, until it’s smooth and creamy. Beat in the eggs one at a time, mixing well after each addition.

Finish the filling. Add the sugar, peanut butter, cream, and vanilla to the bowl with the cream cheese. Mix until smooth, then fold in the peanut butter cups. Pour the filling into the crust.

Bake. Place the cheesecake in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Decrease the oven temperature to 200°F, then bake for 2 hours.

Cool. Turn off the oven. Carefully remove the pan and gently run a knife around the edges of the cheesecake. Place the cheesecake back in the oven for 2 hours.

Overhead view of baked Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake before topping

Chill. Cover the cheesecake in the pan and chill overnight in the refrigerator.

Make the Topping:

Melt the chocolate and sour cream. Combine the chocolate chips and sour cream in a small saucepan set over low heat. Stir constantly until the chocolate chips have melted and the mixture is smooth.

Overhead view of Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake after adding chocolate topping

Top the cheesecake. Spread the chocolate mixture over the top of the cheesecake. Return the cheesecake to the refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until the topping is set.

Tips for Success

Here are some simple tips to ensure that your Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake turns out perfect:

  • Use your fingers to press in the crust. Yes, you could use the bottom of a measuring cup and keep your hands clean, but the only way to tell if the crust is firmly pressed into the pan is by touch. (Learn more about how to make a cookie crumb crust.)
  • Know when it’s done. An over-baked cheesecake will have a gritty, dry texture, so it’s important to turn off the oven as soon as the cheesecake is done baking. You can use a thermometer to check for an internal temperature of 150ºF (the chocolate topping will cover the hole from the probe) or look for a center that barely jiggles when you give the pan a gentle shake.
  • Let the slices sit a bit. This Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake is most flavorful if you plate the slices, then let them sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes.
Overhead view of cut Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake with slice being removed

What Is the Easiest Way to Cut a Cheesecake?

Here are a few tips to help you get perfect slices of this Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake:

  • Use a sharp knife. A dull knife will just smash the cheesecake and make it difficult to cut clean slices. And unlike with regular cake, you should avoid using a serrated knife!
  • Dip the knife in hot water before cutting. Then, use a paper towel to dry it. This will prevent the knife from sticking to the cheesecake and making a mess.
  • Start at the center and pull the knife towards the outer edge. Make a firm, confident cut.
  • Wipe the knife clean after each cut. This will also help you get cleaner slices.
Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake slice on plate with fork

How to Store

Wrap Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, or transfer leftovers to an airtight container. Store the wrapped cheesecake in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Can This Recipe Be Frozen?

If you want to freeze this Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake, wrap it tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and then place it in a freezer-safe bag or storage container. Freeze for up to 3 months; when you’re ready to eat the cheesecake, thaw it overnight in the fridge.

Side view of Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake slice on plate

More Decadent Cheesecake Recipes

Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

Yield 12 to 14 servings
Prep Time 45 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours

Peanut butter and chocolate fans will enjoy devouring this Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake!

Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake on plate with fork

Ingredients

For the crust:

  • 4 & 1/2 cups (450g) crushed Oreo cookies
  • 1 cup (125g) chopped roasted peanuts
  • 1/2 cup (113g) unsalted butter, melted

For the filling:

  • 32 ounces (907g) cream cheese, at room temperature
  • 5 large eggs
  • 1 & 1/2 cups (300g) firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 cup (255g) creamy peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup (118ml) heavy cream
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 12 regular-sized peanut butter cups, chopped into small pieces

For the topping:

  • 5 ounces (141g) milk chocolate
  • 1/4 cup (56g) sour cream

Instructions

To make the crust:

  1. Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly grease a 10-inch springform pan.
  2. Place the cookies and peanuts in the bowl of a food processor. Pulse until combined. Add the melted butter and pulse until combined.
  3. Press the crust firmly onto the bottom and up the prepared pan.

To make the filling:

  1. Using an electric mixer on medium speed, beat the cream cheese until smooth. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
  2. Add the sugar, peanut butter, cream, and vanilla. Mix until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter cups.
  3. Pour the filling into the  prepared crust.
  4. Bake for 15 minutes.
  5. Decrease the oven temperature to 200°F. Bake for 2 hours.
  6. Turn off oven. Remove the cheesecake from oven and gently run a knife around the edges of the cheesecake. Place the cheesecake back in the oven for 2 hours.
  7. Cover and refrigerate overnight.

To make the topping:

  1. Place the chocolate chips and sour cream in a small saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until smooth.
  2. Spread over the top of the cheesecake. Return the cheesecake to refrigerator for 30 minutes, or until the topping is set.

Notes

Recipe adapted from Food.com.

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    66 Comments on “Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake”

  1. I own that cheesecake cookbook. I have yet to make anything from it.
    That cheesecake looks super yummy, my hubby would be all over that, for PBC are his favorite.

  2. Oh my goodness! I’m drooling.

  3. This looks amazing! The light reflecting off the top layer of chocolate is making me totally ga-ga for this sweet treat!

  4. OMG! This looks sooo good. I was looking for something different to serve at Thanksgiving and I think this will be it!

    Did you bake this in a water bath like the original recipe states? Or, does your baking method avoid that messy detail?

  5. Gigi, I didn’t use a water bath. The method I described works very well without having to do that.

  6. Ohhhhhhhhhhhh! That’s all I can think of to say … Ohhhhhhhhhhhhh!

  7. Holy fuhreaking goodness that sounds good. Now, I have to hide this find from my husband who would absolutely die happy if I made this.

    I also love a thick crust on cheesecakes.

  8. That looks so nice! I’ve been wanting to get ‘I Love Cheesecake’, heard it was a good book.

  9. I want chocolate now. Thanks a lot.

  10. Sooooooo good!

    Jennifer, Jim loved the cheesecake as we all did! It really made the occasion and may be your best cheesecake yet. Thanks for taking time to make Jim’s birthday so special by baking for him! You know how he loves Reese’s…he’s still talking about it. Also, I hope to see this recipe at future gatherings, too.

    For other visitors to this website…MAKE the cheesecake and enjoy it like we did!

  11. Wow that looks fantastic! I’m gonna have to try that one! I love Reeses and cheesecakes. What a great combo!

  12. Enjoyed reading the comments.
    Would someone please post the Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake recipe or email it to me?

  13. I’m going to be baking this cheesecake tonight. Last year I donated a dessert a month to the Creative Arts Auction. This month is the last one and I wanted to make something special. I think this is it! The only problem is, I will be giving it away without a taste test. Oh well, I guess I will have to make one for our next special occasion. I love RPBC!

  14. I baked this cheesecake and it IS WONDERFUL!!! I made the first one to give away and my family drooled over it so much, I had to bake another one for us. I’m baking one tonight as a gift to give at a closing I have tomorrow. I used the chocolate topping as suggested and then topped with more chopped peanut butter cups.

  15. I sell cheesecakes and I think this cake sounds delicious, I will definitly give it a try. Thanks

  16. Hi…just a quick question about Crownover’s baking method (the 15 min. at 350, 2 hours at 200, and then 2 hours cooling in the oven method)…

    Do you think this would work for just about any standard cheesecake being made in a springform pan? Can one just take most cheesecake recipes, toss out their baking instructions and do this instead?

    A separate question, which you might not have any experience with, but I thought I’d ask anyway…my oven is small (a 9X13 is the biggest pan that will fit in there)…do you think there might be anything about the smaller oven that might affect how the cheesecake bakes?

    Thanks..loving your blog, especially now that I finally have an oven again!

  17. Jessica, I certainly am not a cheesecake expert. However, I would think that as a general rule, the baking method could work for most cheesecake recipes. I would probably keep a close eye on it while it bakes, but it’s certainly a worthwhile experiment.

    I don’t have any experience with your size oven. The only potential problem I see is that whatever you’re baking will be closer to the heating element than it would in a larger oven. With such a long cooking time, that probably wouldn’t be as big a deal with a cheesecake as it would with something that requires a short baking time, like cookies. If the top of your cheesecake starts getting too brown too quickly, you could have some aluminum foil handy to cover the top loosely.

    I hope that helps. Let me know how it works for you!

  18. Thanks so much for the tips…the crownover method worked beautifully. The only problem with the small oven (actually a friend’s, not the one I talked about originally) was that her rack was not very sturdy…and when I pulled the cheesecake out to check it, the rack collapsed and sent the cheesecake sliding to the bottom of the oven. Fortunately, it all stayed in the pan, but it definitely cracked. Good thing we were putting a topping on it!

    We served it to our Chinese teachers (we are language students in China) and they loved it.

    Thanks for the help, it’s much appreciated. And I LOVE your blog.:D

  19. You’re welcome, Jessica! I’m glad it turned out well, despite the rack disaster.

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  21. Just from the look on my Husband’s face when we saw this, I knew I had to make it. Mmm, it’s really good! I did my topping like yours, but doubled it.

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  24. I’m preparing to try this recipe next week and am looking forward to it! I have an Oreo question, though:

    Did you put them in the food processor whole, or did you split them and remove the cream filling before processing them? (My mom said she did that before because she had had problems with the filling melting, running and leaking during baking).

  25. Lindsay, I put the Oreos in the food processor whole and didn’t have any problems. Another option is the Nabisco chocolate wafers. They can be hard to find, but they’re great for crusts. I used them for that delicious icebox cake, too.

  26. Thanks! Another question …

    In the crust, did you use peanuts that had salt on them? I bought peanuts that I thought were unsalted, but I was wrong!

    (By the way, I found the wafers, but they were expired … grrrrr … so I am going to stick with the Oreos).

  27. Lindsay, I’m not entirely sure I remember if the peanuts were salted or not. If I was able to find roasted peanuts that weren’t salted, then I would have used those. Otherwise, I would have gone with whatever I could find. Hope that helps!

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  29. I made this last night with your topping and baking suggestions – can’t wait to try it out tonight and see how it tastes!

    Did you use 12 regular peanut butter cups or the miniature ones?

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  31. I made this for Thanksgiving, I didn’t need to bring a dessert, but could not resist. Mine did crack though, I was disappointed, but with the chocolate sauce no one will be able to tell. My pan was very full. I have only made one other cheesecake before, so I am nervous to cut into it.

  32. I am making it again as we are going to a friends house for lunch tomorrow and I had most of the ingredients on hand. I had made a different peanut butter cup cake and the receipe called for Nutty Butters (those cookies shaped like peanuts with the peanut butter middle) and butter I wonder if that would be toooo much peanut butter flavor…

  33. I made this the other week. Oh my freakin goodness. Everybody absolutely loved it and I never thought I could make something so freaking good. If you haven’t tried it, do it, you definitly will not regret it. YUUUUUMMMMMM!

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  35. I know this is an old post, but may I ask a question? I want to make this for a large b-day party so I’m thinking of doing a 9 inch atop a 10 inch. If I’m careful to make both sizes the same depth, do you think it will affect the baking time? I’m hoping to bake them together, but I don’t want to overcook the 9 inch in order to get the 10 inch one done. What do you think? (LOVE this blog, BTW–just discovered it.)

  36. Jennifer, I’m glad you found me! I’m not sure I would attempt to bake the chesecakes at the same time. Cheesecakes can be so temperamental that I wouldn’t want to risk it.

  37. Thanks for your advice. My instincts were telling me the same thing, and this dessert is too important for me to experiment on (as I often do with smaller family things). I have the 10″ in the oven now and will do the other one later this evening. I decided to do an 8″ on top; when I stacked the pans, the 9″ didn’t give enough of a layering effect. I really appreciate your willingness to bounce ideas around and share advice. I usually do these things all on my own–mostly with success but sometimes with disappointments–as I’m sure you understand!

  38. Thanks for your advice. My instincts were telling me the same thing, and this dessert is too important for me to experiment on (as I often do with smaller family things). I have the 10″ in the oven now and will do the other one later this evening. I decided to do an 8″ on top; when I stacked the pans, the 9″ didn’t give enough of a layering effect. I really appreciate your willingness to bounce ideas around and share advice. I usually do these things all on my own–mostly with success but sometimes with disappointments–as I’m sure you understand!

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  40. omg this looks sooo good! my man n myself LOVES reese cups! i am so goin 2 try that! yummy yummy!!

  41. I’ve made this cheesecake three Christmases in a row and it is the BOMB!

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  43. I made this cheesecake for my boyfriend’s birthday and it was delicious. Incredibly rich so one slice really does go a long way – but absolutely amazing. Probably the most impressive thing I’ve ever made.

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  45. I made this on New Year’s day for a dinner (to be held the day after). Everyone loved it. It was delicious and very, very rich. I looked at the original recipe linked from this page, but decided to go with your suggestion of a chocolate topping (made from semi-sweet chocolate chips as I had no milk chips). Thank you for that! Extra pb cups on the top would of been too much.

    So glad I came across your blog! I will be a regular visitor 🙂

    Thanks and Happy 2012!

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  52. I made this cheesecake exactly by the recipe and it is the bomb!!! Not a thing wrong with this smooth, creamy cheesecake. Next time I think I will make a peanut butter glaze to drizzle over the chocolate simply because you just can’t have too much peanut butter. Thanks for sharing the recipe.

  53. Are the baking temperatures in Farenheit or in Celsius? Great recipe.

  54. I made this cheesecake today and must say it looked exactly like it did in the pictures! Super professional looking and my family was impressed. The only thing we didn’t like, and maybe this is because I did not chill it long enough, was the texture. The cake did not have density that I am used to with a cheesecake. Instead, it was a little gelatinous. If I would have chilled it longer, would it have firmed up? Or does it have a less-firm texture?

    • I recall it being a traditional cheesecake texture. Chilling does help it set, so that could be the issue. If you substituted any low-fat or fat-free ingredients, that could definitely affect the texture. You might also check your oven’s temperature with an oven thermometer to make sure it isn’t low, if the texture made you think it might not have baked thoroughly.

  55. Does the topping call for chocolate milk or chocolate chips…? I bought all of the stuff and my cheesecake is currently in the oven. I bought chocolate milk and I just read in the instructions that it is chocolate chips??

  56. Mine is in the oven right now.
    I followed adapted recipe, however I ended up using a water bath halfway through the first segment.
    It was 1:15 into baking and my oven had a slight smoke coming from it.
    Couldve been something burning off….
    I usually use water bath and for fear of burning that gorgeous oreo crumb mixture, I took cake out wrapped springform in foil and quickly added the water around it. Put it back in oven…now waiting and hoping it turns out.
    I really do not want to mess this up. Gorgeous recipe in the raw state, cant wait to see final result!! Wish me luck
    Thx soooo much for sharing

  57. I just baked this today. I am t the just turning the oven off and the cheesecake staying in for 2 hrs. When I took the cheesecake out to run my knife, the cheesecake looked to still be jiggly and I couldn’t get my knife to run around without messing it up so I just put it back in the oven. I hope it turns out good. It’s for my sons bday on Tuesday and his gf is having baby #3 tomorrow! 

  58. I just received my first subscription email from you today!  After reading the recipe and comments for the Reese’s peanut butter cheesecake,  I decided this is my next cheesecake to bake. I have a question regarding the topping. Does the topping need to be cooled before spreading it on the cheesecake? 

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