Oreo Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Oreo Peanut Butter Cheesecake - oh my! 

Cook's Note: My little one saw this recipe video on Facebook and said "Mama, you have to make this for Daddy's birthday!" Well, I watched the video and this looked too yummy to pass up, so I decided to give it a go. PLUS I KNEW my husband would LOVE IT!

I have NEVER made cheesecake before .... let me tell you, its a labor of love. But - the cake was delicious and it was a huge hit in our house. Plus its beautiful! My only change here was that I used LIGHT (neufchatel) cream cheese and it still turned out delicious! 

It seems like a LOT of steps - TRUST ME! But, if you have the time, its SO WORTH IT!

WHAT YOU WILL NEED: 

FOR THE CHEESECAKE

2 cups crushed Oreos

1/4 cup butter, melted

32 ounces LIGHT cream cheese, softened

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 cup creamy peanut butter, softened

3 large eggs

1 cup mini dark chocolate chips

FOR THE TOPPING

1/2 cup heavy cream

1 cup  milk chocolate chips

Chopped roasted peanuts, for decorating

6 Oreo cookies, halved

 DIRECTIONS: 
Place the cheesecake in a deep roasting pan. Pour very hot water around the outside bottom of the cheesecake in the roasting pan, trying not to get any water on the actual cheesecake. Fill it about a quarter of the way up. This creates a bain-marie and helps ensure the cheesecake doesn't overcook.
Once it has come to room temp - cover with aluminum foil and place in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours (or overnight) - to allow it to set up well.
Top with chopped roasted peanuts and decorate the outside edge with halved Oreos. 
Allow to set in the fridge for at least 30-60 minutes before serving. 

Combine the crumbled Oreos and melted butter together (stirring well). Firmly press this mixture into the bottom of lightly sprayed (with non-stick cooking spray), 9-inch springform pan. Place this pan on a large plate and then wrap the top of the pan with aluminum foil. Stick this in the fridge to set up. 

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees

In your stand mixer, beat together cream cheese, sugar, 1/2 cup heavy cream, and peanut butter. Beat in one egg at a time. Beat on low until well combined and the mixture looks "fluffy". Gently stir in dark chocolate chips. 

Remove the Oreo crust from fridge. Pour cheesecake batter over the crust, making sure to spread evenly and smooth out the mixture.

Place aluminum foil around the bottom of your cheesecake and wrap loosely. 

Bake at 350 for 60 minutes. CAREFULLY (with your best oven mitts on!) , remove from oven, remove cheesecake from the roasting pan and place on a large plate and allow it to sit on the counter and come to room temperature. 

After the 4 hours (or sitting overnight) - take out the cheesecake, remove the aluminum foil and run a butter knife around the rim of the pan to loosen and remove it from the springform rim. Set the cheesecake on a beautiful serving plate and get it ready to be TOPPED WITH GANACHE! 

TOPPING: 

To make the chocolate ganache topping...... Over medium heat, bring 1/2 cup heavy cream to a slight boil. Add in the milk chocolate chips and whisk until smooth. 

Carefully pour chocolate ganache over the cheesecake, letting it drip down the edges and smooth it out with a rubber spatula if need be!

ENJOY!

This "Pinspiration" comes from "Cooking Panda"