A chocolaty peanut butter dream world is what you get when you bake a REESE'S peanut butter cheesecake. Combine some of our most loved ingredients like HERSHEY’S cocoa, REESE’S creamy peanut butter and REESE’S Ultimate Peanut Butter Lovers cups to craft a unique cheesecake no matter the occasion. With a layer rich chocolate topped with savory peanut butter cheesecake, you can decorate this dessert with miniature REESE'S Peanut Butter Lovers cups for an extra delight. This decadent treat was made for sharing but make sure to keep just as many slices for yourself as you give away!
Heat oven to 350° F. Line 9-inch square baking pan with foil, extending foil beyond edges of pan. Remove wrappers from 25 peanut butter cups; place in freezer while preparing and baking brownie layer.
Stir together butter, sugar and vanilla in large bowl. Add eggs, stirring until well blended. Stir in flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt, blending thoroughly. Spread in prepared pan.
Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until brownie starts to pull away from sides of pan. Meanwhile, make Peanut Butter Cheesecake Layer or Chocolate Cheesecake Layer.
Immediately after removing brownie from oven, place 5 rows of 5 peanut butter cups over brownie surface. Carefully spoon cheesecake layer over peanut butter cups; spread evenly. Return to oven; continue baking 25 to 30 minutes or until almost set. Remove from oven to wire rack. Cool about 1 hour. Cover; refrigerate several hours or until thoroughly chilled. Lift brownie out of pan using foil as handles. Cut into bars. Allow bars to soften slightly before serving. Top each bar with unwrapped peanut butter cup or peanut butter cup half, if desired. Cover; store leftover bars in refrigerator.
Peanut Butter Cheesecake Layer: Beat cream cheese, brown sugar and peanut butter until smooth and creamy in large bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Blend in sour cream and vanilla.
Chocolate Cheesecake Layer: Beat cream cheese, sugar and cocoa until smooth and creamy in large bowl. Add eggs, one at a time, beating after each addition. Blend in sour cream and vanilla.
* The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutritional advice. (Nutritional Information for REESE'S Peanut Butter Lover's Cheesecake)