Reese's peanut butter cups cheesecake

10 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
1cupChocolate wafer cookies crumbled
½cupRoasted unsalted peanuts; coarsely chopped
¼cupUnsalted butter, melted
2tablespoonsBrown sugar, firmly packed
1pinchSalt
32ouncesCream cheese at room temp
cupBrown sugar, firmly packed
½cupCreamy peanut butter; do not use old-fashioned or freshly ground
1teaspoonVanilla extract
4largesEggs
¼cupWhipping cream
cupReese's Peanut Butter Cups (ab. 10 oz) 3/4 inch pieces
2cupsSour cream
¼cupSugar
1teaspoonVanilla extract

Directions

CRUST

FILLING

TOPPING

CRUST: Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350~. Butter 9 inch springform pan with 2¾ inch sides. Mix chocolate cookie crumbs, chopped peanuts, melted butter, brown sugar and pinch of salt in bowl until well combined. Press mixture evenly onto bottom and ½ inch up sides of pan. Bake until crust is set, about 8 min. Cool in pan on rack. Reduce oven temperature to 325~. FILLING: Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and brown sugar in large bowl until smooth.

Add peanut butter and vanilla extract and beat just until blended.

Add eggs 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Add whipping cream and beat until smooth. Stir in peanut butter cup pieces. Pour filling into crust. Bake until sides of cake are set but center still moves slightly, about 55 minutes. Cool cake in pan on rack 10 min. TOPPING: Blend sour cream, sugar and vanilla extract in medium bowl. Carefully spoon topping over cheesecake. Return cheesecake to oven and bake for 5 minutes. Cool cheesecake in pan on rack. Run small sharp knife around edge of cheesecake to loosen.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.(This can be prepared up to 3 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.) Release pan sides. Let stand 20 minutes at room temperature before serving.