Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

There is no better food pairing than chocolate and peanut butter.  When I had the amazing luck of having Swiss chocolate brought back to me from my parents' trip to Europe years ago, I hid the bar from my husband and would break off a small piece at a time and dip it in peanut butter.  I remember it like it was yesterday.  It was the best!!

So mom whipped up some chocolate peanut butter cheesecake from a Better Homes and Gardens recipe.  I believe she could whip up a five-course meal in her sleep!

So here is the recipe verbatim:

Ingredients list: 

• 18 chocolate graham cracker squares, finely crushed (1 1/2 cups)
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 2 Tbsp. sugar
• 2 8-oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate pieces
• 2 Tbsp. milk
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla
• Peanuts (optional)

Preheat oven to 300 degrees F.  Combine crackers, melted butter, and 2 tablespoons sugar.  Press into bottom and 1 inch up sides of a 9-inch springform pan; set aside.

In bowl beat 1 package cream cheese with electric mixer until smooth.  Beat in peanut butter and 1/4 cup sugar until combined.  Fold in 1 lightly beaten egg; set aside.

In saucepan stir chocolate over low heat until melted and smooth.  Remove from heat.  Cube remaining cream cheese; add to chocolate.  Stir to combine.  Stir in milk and vanilla until smooth.  Fold in 2 lightly beaten eggs.  Spread half the chocolate mixture into pan.  Carefully spread all the peanut butter mixture over layer.

 Evenly spread remaining chocolate mixture.

Bake 45 minutes or until top is set when lightly shaken.  Outer 2 inches of the top will be slightly puffed and dry-looking; center will look darker and wet.  Cool in pan on rack 15 minutes.  Use a small sharp knife to loosen crust from sides; cool completely on rack.  Cover; chill 4 hours.  Let stand at room temperature 15 minutes before serving.  Sprinkle with peanuts.  Makes 16 servings.

This recipe is so good!  A little piece goes a long way.  It is so rich.  And there is no better combination than peanut butter and chocolate!!