Perfect Buckeye Cheesecake Bars Recipe: Rich Chocolate-Peanut Bliss

Buckeye cheesecake bars represent a delightful fusion of classic flavors that dance across your palate.

Sweet magic happens when creamy textures meet intense chocolate and nutty undertones in this irresistible dessert.

Each bar promises a harmonious blend of smooth, rich ingredients that complement one another perfectly.

The delicate balance between tangy cheesecake and deep chocolate creates a sensational experience for dessert enthusiasts.

Layers of decadence stack up with precision, converting simple ingredients into something extraordinary.

Unexpected combinations make these bars more than just another sweet treat – they’re a culinary adventure.

Prepare to elevate your dessert game with a recipe that guarantees pure indulgence.

Buckeye Cheesecake Bars: A Rich and Decadent Dessert

• Indulge in Decadent Layers: These Buckeye Cheesecake Bars combine rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and smooth cheesecake for an irresistible dessert experience that tantalizes multiple flavor profiles.
• Effortless Gourmet Treat: The recipe requires minimal technical skills, uses common kitchen equipment like a food processor, and delivers professional-looking results with simple steps anyone can master in under an hour.
• Crowd-Pleasing Texture Symphony: Expect a luxurious contrast between the crunchy Oreo crust, silky cheesecake filling, and glossy chocolate ganache topping that creates an exciting mouthfeel with every single bite.
• Make-Ahead Party Perfection: These bars can be prepared in advance, refrigerated overnight, and serve 16 people easily, making them ideal for gatherings, potlucks, or weekend dessert celebrations without last-minute stress.

Key Ingredients for Buckeye Cheesecake Bars

• Oreo Cookies: Classic chocolate sandwich cookies that form the rich, chocolatey base of the crust.
• Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and balances the sweetness of the crust.
• Butter: Helps bind the crust and provides a smooth, rich texture.

• Cream Cheese: Smooth, tangy base that creates the classic cheesecake texture.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps balance the cream cheeses tanginess.
• Sour Cream: Provides extra moisture and tangy flavor to the filling.
• Peanut Butter: Adds a nutty, creamy element to the cheesecake.
• Hazelnut Spread: Introduces a chocolatey, nutty depth to the filling.
• Vanilla: Enhances and rounds out the overall flavor profile.
• Salt: Balances and elevates the other flavors in the filling.
• Eggs: Bind the filling and help create a smooth, creamy texture.

• Chocolate Chips: Form the base of the rich, smooth ganache.
• Heavy Cream: Helps create a silky, glossy ganache topping.
• Sea Salt: Provides a final flavor contrast and gourmet touch to the dessert.

How to Make Buckeye Cheesecake Bars

Step 1: Warm Up the Oven and Prep the Pan

Crank the oven to 350°F and line a 9×9-inch baking pan with parchment paper, letting the edges hang over for easy removal.

Step 2: Create a Crunchy Oreo Crust

Toss Oreo cookies and salt into a food processor and pulse until crumbly. Drizzle in melted butter and mix until the crumbs stick together. Press the mixture firmly into the pan and bake for 10 minutes.

Step 3: Whip Up the Creamy Filling

• Sour cream
• Peanut butter
• Hazelnut spread
• Vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Mix until all ingredients are perfectly combined.

Step 4: Incorporate the Eggs

Add eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition. Pour the luscious filling over the cooled crust and spread evenly.

Step 5: Bake and Cool

Bake for 20-25 minutes until the filling is set but still has a gentle jiggle in the center. Let cool completely at room temperature, then refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Step 6: Create Decadent Chocolate Ganache

Heat cream until steaming, then pour over chocolate chips. Let sit for a minute, then whisk until glossy and smooth.

Step 7: Finish and Garnish

Pour the ganache over the chilled cheesecake. Sprinkle with a touch of sea salt for a flavor boost. Refrigerate until the ganache sets.

Step 8: Serve and Enjoy

Lift the cheesecake from the pan using the parchment sling. Slice into squares and serve chilled. Devour with pure delight!

Tips for Perfect Buckeye Cheesecake Bars

• Crush Cookies Thoroughly: Ensure Oreos are finely ground for a smooth, compact crust that holds together perfectly when cutting bars.
• Temper Cream Cheese: Let cream cheese sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to avoid lumps and create a silky-smooth filling.
• Prevent Cracking Technique: Bake cheesecake in a water bath or place a pan of water on the lower oven rack to maintain moisture and prevent surface cracks.
• Cooling is Crucial: Allow cheesecake to cool completely at room temperature before refrigerating to prevent condensation and maintain texture.
• Ganache Perfection: Let chocolate ganache cool slightly before pouring to achieve a glossy, even coating that sets beautifully on top of the cheesecake bars.

Storing and Reheating Buckeye Cheesecake Bars

• Storage
• Refrigerate leftover Buckeye Cheesecake Bars in an airtight container for up to 5 days. Protect the bars by placing a sheet of plastic wrap directly on the exposed surface to prevent drying out. Layer each bar between sheets of parchment paper to maintain their pristine appearance.
• Freezing Method
• Individually wrap each cheesecake bar tightly in plastic wrap, then place inside a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Freeze for maximum 2 months to preserve optimal flavor and texture. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before serving to maintain the creamy consistency.
• Reheating Technique
• Remove cheesecake bars from the refrigerator 15-20 minutes before serving to allow them to reach room temperature.

Pairing Buckeye Cheesecake Bars with Wine

• Brew Rich Espresso Companions: Serve these decadent buckeye cheesecake bars alongside a bold, dark roast espresso that cuts through the creamy richness and complements the chocolate and peanut butter notes.
• Pair Nutty Dessert Wines: Select a sweet Pedro Ximénez sherry or port wine with deep caramel and nutty undertones that mirror the hazelnut and peanut butter flavors, creating a luxurious dessert experience.
• Enhance with Cold Milk Contrast: Offer chilled whole milk or a creamy chocolate milk as a refreshing companion that balances the intense flavors and provides a smooth, cool counterpoint to the dense cheesecake bars.
• Complement with Roasted Nut Garnish: Sprinkle toasted chopped almonds or pecans around the plated bars to add a delightful crunch and bring out the underlying nuttiness of the dessert, elevating the sensory experience.

Fun Variations of Buckeye Cheesecake Bars

• Chocolate Hazelnut Swirl: Increase the hazelnut spread and create a beautiful marbled effect by swirling extra spread through the cheesecake filling before baking.
• No-Bake Nutty Version: Skip the baking process by using gelatin to set the cheesecake, creating a lighter, cooler summer dessert with the same rich flavors.
• Salted Caramel Crunch: Replace the ganache with a homemade salted caramel sauce and sprinkle crushed pretzel pieces on top for added texture and salty-sweet complexity.
• Chocolate Peanut Butter Bomb: Layer additional peanut butter chips into the cheesecake filling and top with a chocolate drizzle for intense chocolate and peanut butter lovers.

Buckeye Cheesecake Bars Recipe

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4.6 from 12 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Buckeye Cheesecake Bars blend Ohio’s classic peanut butter candy with creamy cheesecake perfection. Rich chocolate and smooth peanut butter layers create an irresistible dessert that delivers pure indulgence for chocolate and peanut butter enthusiasts.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 16 ounces (454 grams) full-fat cream cheese
• 2 large eggs
• ¾ cup (177 milliliters) smooth peanut butter
• ¾ cup (150 grams) granulated sugar

Crust Ingredients:

• 20 Oreo cookies
• 5 tablespoons (71 grams) unsalted butter
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt

Additional Ingredients:

• ½ cup (120 milliliters) sour cream
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• ¼ cup (60 milliliters) chocolate-hazelnut spread
• 8 ounces (226 grams) semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 cup (240 milliliters) heavy cream
• 1 teaspoon flaky salt

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Instructions

1. Arrange the oven rack in the center position and heat to 350°F (177°C). Line a 9×9-inch (23×23 centimeters) baking pan with parchment paper, allowing overhang on two sides for easy removal.
2. Crush Oreo cookies and salt in a food processor until fine crumbs form. Drizzle melted unsalted butter into the crumbs and mix thoroughly until the mixture resembles wet sand.
3. Press the cookie mixture firmly and evenly into the prepared pan’s bottom, creating a compact base. Bake the crust for 10 minutes, then remove and allow to cool slightly.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese and granulated sugar using an electric mixer until completely smooth and free of lumps, approximately 2-3 minutes.
5. Incorporate sour cream, creamy peanut butter, hazelnut spread, pure vanilla extract, and kosher salt into the cream cheese mixture. Mix until all ingredients are fully integrated and the batter appears uniform.
6. Add large eggs one at a time, mixing thoroughly after each addition and scraping down the bowl’s sides to ensure even distribution.
7. Gently pour the cheesecake filling over the prepared crust, using a spatula to spread the mixture evenly and eliminate any air pockets.
8. Bake for 22-26 minutes, or until the edges are set and the center has a slight wobble when the pan is gently shaken. The filling should look just barely firm.
9. Remove from the oven and let cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour. Once cooled, refrigerate for 4-6 hours or overnight to allow the cheesecake to set firmly.
10. For the ganache, heat heavy cream until it reaches a gentle simmer. Pour the hot cream over dark chocolate chips and let sit undisturbed for 2-3 minutes.
11. Whisk the chocolate and cream together until a smooth, glossy ganache forms. Allow to cool slightly until it reaches a pourable consistency.
12. Pour the ganache over the chilled cheesecake, tilting the pan to ensure even coverage. Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top for added texture and flavor.
13. Refrigerate for an additional 15-20 minutes to set the ganache layer.
14. Using the parchment paper overhang, lift the entire cheesecake from the pan. Place on a cutting board and slice into 16 uniform squares using a sharp, clean knife.
15. Serve chilled and enjoy the decadent combination of chocolate, peanut butter, and cheesecake.

Notes

• Elevate your dessert game with these decadent Buckeye Cheesecake Bars that blend rich chocolate, creamy peanut butter, and smooth cheesecake textures.
• Chilling the bars overnight intensifies the flavors and helps the ganache set perfectly, creating a professional-looking and incredibly delicious treat.
• Ensure your cream cheese is at room temperature to prevent lumps and achieve a silky-smooth filling that will make your cheesecake bars irresistible.
• Sea salt sprinkled on top provides a surprising flavor contrast that cuts through the sweetness and elevates the entire dessert experience.
• The combination of Oreo crust, peanut butter cheesecake, and chocolate ganache creates a multi-layered dessert that looks and tastes like a gourmet bakery creation.

• Prep Time: 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 35 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 1000 kcal
• Sugar: 70g
• Sodium: 600mg
• Fat: 75g
• Saturated Fat: 40g
• Unsaturated Fat: 30g
• Trans Fat: 0.5g
• Carbohydrates: 90g
• Fiber: 4g
• Protein: 15g
• Cholesterol: 150mg