Thursday, June 17, 2010

Peanut Butter Chocolate & Oreo Mini Cheesecakes

Ever since I started baking, I’ve been looking for a reason other than “just because” to create wonderful desserts--not that I don’t use “just because” all the time… Luckily, birthdays, holidays and anniversaries run rampant, and I just made a new friend who gets to benefit from my hobby!

Enter Brit. She works at the fitness center with me, and one day we discovered we share a similar passion for eating foods that are overly rich and delightfully sinful. Luckily, we both are personal trainers/athletes/group exercise instructors, so a little indulgence won’t kill us.
Well, unfortunately, a little indulgence is an understatement. This dessert is crazy delicious, and I can proudly say that I claim rights to it. Yep, I created this… on accident.

Brit and I both were gabbing about how much we love the Cheesecake Factory, and when she mentioned her favorite flavor was discontinued, I realized this was the perfect opportunity to recreate it for her. Her poison? Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake… ahhhh…..!!! As you all know, not only do I love love LOVE the combination of chocolate and peanut butter, but throw in sugar, butter, cream cheese, and a graham cracker crust? Well…I think I just fainted.
Just to confuse everyone, the ones with the crumbled Oreo are the peanut butter.

Problem #1: I left my spring foam pan in State College, Pennsylvania.

I couldn’t decide if it would be better to make mini cheesecakes or a cheesecake bar. After much research, I decided that mini anything is so much cuter than a bar. So, I looked up how the baking times vary for minis and went for it.
Likewise, the ones without any garnish are the Oreo...

Problem #2: The recipe I was sort-of going from would have had way too much cheesecake filling for just my minis, so I really had to do my own thing. And I did. In fact, I really went nuts after I made one set of 12, because I changed my second batch. In fact, my second batch had no peanut butter. My second batch is Oreo Cheesecake. Anyway, I’ll get there. Here’s how it went down… and some pictures of the process.

What ya need: (for 24 mini cheesecakes!!)
1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
1 cup crushed crème filled chocolate sandwich cookies... oh c’mon, we all know that means OREO!
6 tbsp sugar
10 tbsp butter, melted

Filling
2 (8 oz) packages of cream cheese, softened
2/3 cup sugar
2/3 cup sour cream (I used light… it’s all we had)
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 tsp vanilla
1 cup fudge topping

¾ cup creamy peanut butter
Extra Oreos… (didn’t measure them.. you’ll see)

What ya do:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line cupcake tins with 24 paper liners. In a bowl, combine graham cracker crumbs, Oreo crumbs, sugar and butter. Press on the bottom of each of the bottom of each cup. Bake for about 4 minutes, and cool on a wire rack.
2. In a microwave safe bowl, heat peanut butter on high for 30 seconds or until softened. Spread carefully over the crusts of TWELVE of the crusts **
3. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and sour cream until smooth. Add eggs and beat on a low speed until just combined. Stir in vanilla. Stir in hot fudge sauce that has been melted and thinned in the microwave. Split your batter in HALF**
4. Take one half of the batter and pour carefully over the peanut butter in the TWELVE crusts. In the other half of the batter, pour in desired amount of crumbled Oreo cookies and fold into batter. Pour the Oreo batter over the remaining unfilled cups.
5. Bake at 350 for about 20-25 minutes, or until the center is almost set. Cool completely on wire rack before serving. Sprinkle more crumbled Oreo on tops if desired.
6. Store in refrigerator… it gets even better with time!!

**If you’d rather make 24 of the peanut butter chocolate mini cheesecakes, double the peanut butter and spread it in all 24 cups!
**Again, if you’d rather make 24 of the same cupcakes, no need to split your batter
This recipe was so great. I tried both the mini cheesecakes and I cannot pick which one I like better. The thought that I can combine them next time and make Chocolate Peanut Butter Oreo Cheesecake is running through my mind, that’s for sure.
Pretty mixture. I was sold already on this crust.
How artistic am I? Don't answer that.
 
Trusty coffee scooper for the crust.
The pre-chocolate cheesecake
This is the half that is NOT peanut butter

The peanut ones are rich and nutty, smooth and creamy. The Oreo ones have a texture and a flavor that’s so familiar. Either one will be a hit, or if you can’t decide, do like I did and make both! You’re going to be the hit of a party, trust me!!
The layer of graham cracker, then peanut butter, then chocolate... heavenly. Really
And the Oreo... such a familiar taste. It just reminds me of childhood. You're going to love this.

Happy Birthday Brit!!



15 comments:

Debbie said...

Can you come make these for MY birthday? Chocolate and peanut butter AND oreo cheesecake are the ultimate combinations, your genius!

Cook with Madin said...

This is great. My husband loves the combination of peanut butter and chocolates, and oreo, in a cheesecake, this is totally heaven for him. Thank you for sharing.

Drick said...

looks like you found not only one but two great choices - but I just don't know which one to pick - looks like I'll have to make both ...hehe

Linda's Yummies said...

Ooey, gooey, yumminess. I wouldn't want to share until I had my fill.

Joy said...

That looks so good. Peanut butter and chocolate is so great together and when you put oreos together is even better.

The Cilantropist said...

I agree with you completely: anything mini is ten times cuter though it is usually ten times smaller. A paradox that I loooove. :)

Monet said...

I love mini cupcakes, mini cookies, and now mini cheesecakes! What a wonderful gift to give to a friend...I want to try this recipe soon!

The Housewife said...

Mmm! Chocolate and peanut butter is a major weakness for me too! How can you go wrong with that?! Your innovation is awesome... the recipe sounds so delicious!

Julie M. said...

Yum! Brit sure has an awesome friend to make her something as delightful as that. Those look amazing!

Reeni said...

These are both swoon worthy! But I'm partial to the chocolate and PB! And I love that you made mini's - that means I can eat one of each!

A Little Yumminess said...

This will be such a hit my choco-holic kid!!

Lazaro Cooks said...

Saw you on another page and checked out the blog. Glad I did. Look forward to following you here.

I am a big fan of the oreo and would be happy with this dish.

Be Well...

Rick said...

Cheesecake factory is my favorite too! And that was my favorite cheesecake there! The boston cream pie one was good too. And the toffee one. Basically, whenever I like one they take it off the menu. I love this recipe!!!

Magic of Spice said...

Can you please make this for me before it becomes illegal! I have had a problem with Oreos since early childhood, basically if they are in the house they call out to me, even in the middle of the night. So I am a bit afraid that your delights here would cause insomnia...but I believe it is worth the risk. Love this:)

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad that you found my blog and I found yours! These look fantastic. I love the thought of using a coffee scooper for the crust. I have so many of them laying around and never seem to have a worthwhile job for any of them!