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Rich, creamy, peanut butter buckeye cheesecake topped with sweet chocolate ganache and an Oreo cookie crust.

overhead view of a peanut butter buckeye cheesecake with a slice out

You guys. This cheesecake. I like my desserts rich and sweet, but this Peanut Butter Buckeye Cheesecake is over-the-top amazing.

This cheesecake has been in my dreams for quite a few months now. Last week it was our turn to bring desserts to our small group. I knew this would be the ideal time break out the springform pan and make this special chocolate and peanut butter cheesecake dessert. Sharing this among 20-some friends is much better than me eating the majority of the cheesecake myself.

We live in the great state of Ohio, which means OSU Buckeye football. I don’t consider myself a huge fan of football, but if there was any state to live in for football, Ohio would be it. After all, celebrating the Buckeyes means getting to eat the famous chocolate and peanut butter buckeye treats. Wouldn’t this make a great addition to your football party?

Is cheesecake hard to make?

Don’t be scared off by making cheesecakes. If you our steps carefully, you won’t have any problems. In fact, you may be surprised how quickly cheesecakes mix up. The Oreo crust takes about 5 minutes to throw together and press in the bottom of a springform pan. The peanut butter cheesecake takes another 5 minutes or so. Even the chocolate ganache frosting on top is quick.

You can do this. The hardest part of making a cheesecake is waiting while it bakes. This needs to be in the oven for about an hour. A long time to bake, yes, but so worth it.

Tools Needed to Make Cheesecake

Springform Pan: Always watch for what size springform pan to use in each recipe. This recipe calls for a 10” pan.
Large Cake Pan: Water baths are important for the perfect cheesecake texture. This large pan will fit a 10” springform pan. Head over to our red velvet cheesecake recipe to read exactly how and why I use a waterbath. Again, it sounds intimidating, but if you can follow directions, you shouldn’t have any problems.

How to Make Buckeye Cheesecake

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 10″ springform pan with cooking spray. Wrap the outside sides and bottom of the pan in two layers of aluminum foil.
In a small bowl, combine the crushed Oreos and melted butter. Press this mixture into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, and peanut butter with an electric mixer. Beat until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition. Be careful not to over beat the mixture. Just mix until each egg is combined.
Fold in the sour cream and lemon juice just until everything is blended. Pour the peanut butter filling into the Oreo crust. Use the back of a spoon to smooth and spread the filling. This will help release any air bubbles from the cheesecake batter.
To prepare the hot water bath, place the springform pan into a larger cake or roasting pan. Boil 1-2 quarts of water. Pour the boiling water into the larger pan until the water comes about halfway up the side of the foil covered springform pan.
Place the pans of cheesecake in the center of middle oven rack. Bake 15 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 300ºF and bake another 50 minutes or until set. The edges should be light brown. There shouldn’t be any liquidy spots in the center of the cheesecake. Be careful not to bake too long. The cheesecake will continue to cook after it is removed from the oven. Remove the springform pan from the hot water bath. Place it on a wire rack with a towel underneath to soak up any extra drips of water. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely.

Buckeye Cheesecake Toppings

Now you can stop here and it will be an amazing buckeye cheesecake as is. Chocolate crust, creamy peanut butter cheesecake filling…what’s not to love. This cheesecake has a complete wow-factor in taste.

Unfortunately technology hasn’t advanced far enough for you to taste through the screen. I wanted your eyes to widen and to hear you say “wow” when you looked at this dessert. Decorating the top with our homemade peanut butter frosting and some homemade buckeye candy totally made this cheesecake, don’t you think?

Get the instructions for each of these in the recipe card below.

Storage Instructions

Once the buckeye cheesecake has cooled to room temperature, cover it loosely with plastic wrap and store it in the fridge for at least 6 hours or preferably overnight.

This is a great make ahead dessert for the holidays! It keeps for up to 4 days in the fridge.

a piece of buckeye cheesecake on a plate with a fork

Other Buckeye Recipes

You may also love our creamy cheesecake, no bake cheesecake and dark chocolate cheesecake.

Buckeye Cheesecake

4.48 from 42 votes

Rich, creamy peanut butter buckeye cheesecake topped with sweet chocolate ganache and and an Oreo cookie crust.

Servings 12

Prep Time 15

Cook Time 1 5

Chill Time 6

Total Time 7 20

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Ingredients

US Customary – Metric

22 chocolate Oreo cookies crushed
3 tablespoons salted butter melted

Cheesecake:

16 ounces cream cheese softened
1 1/2 cups granulated sugar
1 cup creamy peanut butter
5 large eggs room temperature
1/2 cup sour cream
2 tablespoons lemon juice

Chocolate Ganache:

1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup heavy cream

Peanut Butter Frosting:

1/2 cup salted butter softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
3 tablespoons 2% milk
2 cups powdered sugar
Buckeyes for decorating optional

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Spray a 10" springform pan with cooking spray. Wrap the outside sides and bottom of the pan in two layers of aluminum foil.
In a small bowl, combine the crushed Oreos and melted butter. Press this mixture into the bottom of the prepared springform pan. Set aside. 22 chocolate Oreo cookies, 16 ounces cream cheese
In a large bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, and peanut butter. Beat until smooth and creamy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing on low speed after each addition. Be careful not to over beat the mixture. Just mix until each egg is combined. 16 ounces cream cheese, 1 ½ cups granulated sugar, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 5 large eggs
Fold in the sour cream and lemon juice just until everything is blended. Pour the cheesecake mixture into the Oreo crust. Use the back of a spoon to smooth and spread the filling. This will help release any air bubbles. ½ cup sour cream, 2 tablespoons lemon juice
To prepare the hot water bath, place the springform pan into a larger cake or roasting pan. Boil 1-2 quarts of water. Pour the boiling water into the larger pan until the water comes about halfway up the side of the foil covered springform pan.
Place the pans of cheesecake in the center of middle oven rack. Bake 15 minutes, then lower the oven temperature to 300 degrees and bake another 50 minutes or until set. The edges should be light brown. There shouldn’t be any liquidy spots in the center of the cheesecake. Be careful not to bake too long. The cheesecake will continue to cook after it is removed from the oven. Remove the springform pan from the hot water bath. Place it on a wire rack with a towel underneath to soak up any extra drips of water. Allow the cheesecake to cool completely.
While the cheesecake is cooling, prepare the ganache. Place the chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave safe bowl. Melt the chocolate chips in 20-30 second intervals, stirring between each interval. Do this until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth, being careful to not let the chocolate get too hot. Allow the ganache to sit for 3-4 minutes, then spoon it on top of the cheesecake. Spread the chocolate just to the edges of the cheesecake. 1 ½ cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, ½ cup heavy cream
Once the cheesecake has cooled to room temperature, place it in the refrigerator. Allow the cheesecake to set overnight in the fridge before serving.
For the peanut butter frosting: In a bowl, blend together peanut butter, powdered sugar, butter, and milk 3-4 minutes or until light and fluffy. Use an icing bag and tip 1M to pipe starts around the edges of the cheesecake. Place buckeye on each slice of cheesecake. ½ cup salted butter, 1 cup creamy peanut butter, 3 tablespoons 2% milk, 2 cups powdered sugar

Video

Notes

Refer to the article above for more tips and tricks.

The calories shown are based on the cheesecake being cut into 12 pieces, with 1 serving being 1 slice of cheesecake. Since different brands of ingredients have different nutritional information, the calories shown are just an estimate. **We are not dietitians and recommend you seek a nutritionist for exact nutritional information. **

Nutrition

Author Julie Clark

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Calories 694

Keyword baked cheesecake, buckeye dessert, chocolate peanut butter dessert

4.48 from 42 votes (34 ratings without comment)

95 Comments

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callista

10 years ago

When is the best time to remove the ring from the springform? I have to try this it looks amazing

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Carol Wadsworth

where can I find this in a store I have arthritis and can not bake anymore and my granddaughter would like it for her B-DAY.and it looks so yummy.

Carly

My niece-in-law in Ohio posted this on FB. I had to google “springform pan” — you can tell I don’t cook! Surprisingly, my hubby Chef Rick doesn’t have one so I’ll get one and the store, then make the cake. PRAY! LOL I am sailing in uncharted waters!!

Sharon - Her Organized Chaos

2 of my favorite desserts in one?! This looks scrumptious. Thanks for sharing.

Sharon
herorganizedchaos.com

Kayley | The Kitchen McCabe

This looks just perfect. There are few things better than chocolate and peanut butter together, in my opinion. This looks perfectly smooth and stunning!

Thalia @ butter and brioche

I am obsessed with peanut butter and chocolate together.. hence the reason why buck eyes are my favourite sweet treat ever. I can only imagine how good this cheesecake would have tasted – pinned!

Kathleen @ Yummy Crumble

That chocolate ganache looks amazing on top! I love dark chocolate with peanut butter. And the cheesecake adds a little decadence. Love this!

Cathy@LemonTreeDwelling

This CHEESECAKE! It’s like a little piece of heaven!!!

Donna

Looks delicious! In step 5 you mention add in the chocolate chips to the cheesecake batter. Is this correct? Thanks!

Danielle

Yum! While I’ve never had a buckeye I love the pb/chocolate combo! Looks delicious.

Lizzy T

Thanks, Ginger! 🙂

Jamie @ Love Bakes Good Cakes

I have no words … and that doesn’t happen too often! 😉 Gorgeous cheesecake – I have to try it!

Cindy Eikenberg