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Anything chocolate makes it on my list of
dessert favorites, and this Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake is one of
those desserts. This cheesecake is absolutely wonderful! - a chocolate and peanut butter lover's delight!
Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Recipe
Recipe Type:
Cheesecake,
Chocolate,
Dessert
Yields: 10 to 12 servings
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 85 min
Ingredients:
Chocolate Crust (see recipe below)
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, room temperature*
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
5
eggs, room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons freshly-squeezed
lemon juice
1 cup semi-sweet
chocolate chips
Chocolate Topping (see recipe below)
* To quickly bring cream cheese to room temperature, place unwrapped package(s) in a microwaveable bowl.
Microwave on HIGH for 30 to 45 seconds or until slightly softened. Do not let it melt or get warm. Refrigerate if it does.
Preparation:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. and position rack in center of oven (too high or too low of rack placement will cause baking problems).
NOTE: Use a conventional (regular) oven rather than a convection oven in baking your cheesecake.
The forced hot air from the convection oven causes too much browning and can often cause the center of the cheesecake to collapse.
Prepare Chocolate Crust.
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, and peanut butter. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition.
NOTE: Do not over beat the mixture. You want to avoid beating air into the mixture. Too much air will make the cheesecake fall.
Add sour cream and lemon juice. Add chocolate chips, mixing until blended into the mixture. Pour cheesecake mixture into prepared cookie crust, using the back of a
spoon to spread evenly over the crust (this helps get rid of any extra air bubbles).
Place cheesecake in center of middle oven rack. Position a baking pan filled halfway with hot water on lower rack. Bake 15 minutes, then lower own temperature
to 300 degrees and bake another 70 minutes or until edges are light brown and center is almost set.
NOTE: There should be no wet spots or liquid areas in the center of the cheesecake. Remember that a cheesecake continues to cook when
it is removed from the oven.
How to tell when cheesecake is done cooking:
The cheesecake is done when center is almost set, but jiggles slightly
when gently shaken. For a perfect cheesecake, use a cooking thermometer and take it out of the oven
when the cheesecake reaches 150 degrees F. at the center to avoid over baking.
Expect a slight shrinkage as it cools. If there is great shrinkage,
you have baked it at too high a heat.
How to prevent cracks in your cheesecake: When the internal temperature of a cheesecake rises beyond 160
degrees F. while baking, it will always crack. To prevent this from happening, use an
instant-read cooking thermometer to test its doneness. Take it out of the oven when the cheesecake reaches
150 degrees F. at the center to avoid over baking.
 This
is the type of cooking and meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking. I get many readers
asking what cooking/meat thermometer that I prefer and use in my cooking and baking. I, personally, use the
Thermapen Thermometer shown in the photo on the right. Originally designed for professional users, the
Super-Fast Thermapen Thermometer is used by chefs all over the world. To learn more about this excellent
thermometer and to also purchase one (if you desire), just click on the underlined:
Thermapen Thermometer.
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Turn oven off. Let cake stand in oven, with door ajar, 30 minutes or until center is completely set.
Remove from oven and cool completely on a wire rack. NOTE: A wonderful looking baked cheesecake (with no cracks),
can crack as it sits on the cooling rack because the cake shrank during cooling and clung to the sides of the springform pan. To avoid this from happening,
cool the cheesecake for only a few minutes, and then, using a paring knife, free it from the sides of the pan before allowing it to cool completely.
Prepare Chocolate Topping. Spread Chocolate Topping over cooled cheesecake. Let Chocolate Topping cool and set.
Once the cheese cake is cooled, cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate 12 to 24 hours before cutting
(the cheesecake will solidify to a perfect consistency during this time).
To serve, slide a small knife around edge of cake to loosen it and remove sides of the springform pan; transfer onto a cake plate.
Makes 10 to 12 servings.
Chocolate Crust:
1 1/2 cups (about 22 cookies) cream-filled chocolate cookie crumbs, including the filling*
3 tablespoons butter, melted
* I like to use Oreo cookies
Lightly grease (butter) a 9-inch
springform pan. In a food processor, whirl cookie crumbs to fine crumbs. Add butter; whirl 5 to 10 seconds more. Place crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared pan being careful
not to get crumbs on sides of pan. Press crumb mixture firmly and evenly over the bottom. Bake 10 minutes. Remove from oven and cool crust completely on a wire rack.
Chocolate Topping:
1 cup sour cream
3/4 cup semi-sweet
chocolate, melted
3 tablespoons powdered (confectioner's) sugar
In a medium bowl combine sour cream, melted chocolate chips, and powdered sugar.
More Delicious Cheesecake Recipes:
|
|
Chocolate Fudge Cheesecake
Anything chocolate makes it on my list of favorites, and this cheesecake is one of those. |
Chocolate Hazelnut Swirl Cheesecake
This cheesecake is for serious chocophiles. Imagine the hazelnut spread on a bed of crunchy nuts and a piping hot cup of coffee - it's a sweet temptation. |
Perfectly Plain Cheesecake
This is just a basic cheesecake recipe, but it can be used as the base for many other
varieties. Change the crust, add some chocolate, or just get creative! |
Pumpkin Cheesecake
Never again make a pumpkin pie for the holiday. This cheesecake is absolutely wonderful. Let your family be the judge! |
Sweet Potato Cheesecake
A wonderful cheesecake with a light sweet potato taste. |
Cheesecake Hints and Tips:
Baking A Perfect Cheesecake
Baking Cheesecake Ahead Of Time
Cutting Cheesecake
How To Freeze Cheesecake
Traveling with Cheesecakes
Springform Pans
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