Description

These No-Bake Buckeye Cheesecake Bars combine a crunchy graham cracker crust with a creamy peanut butter and cream cheese filling, topped with a rich semi-sweet chocolate layer. Perfect for a sweet treat without baking, these bars are light, fluffy, and satisfy your dessert cravings with ease.

Ingredients

Scale

Crust

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs
½ cup unsalted butter, melted

Peanut Butter Cheesecake Layer

8 oz cream cheese, softened
1 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup powdered sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup heavy whipping cream

Chocolate Topping

1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips

Instructions

Prepare the Crust: In a bowl, combine the graham cracker crumbs with melted butter until the crumbs are fully coated. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×9 inch baking pan to form an even layer. Refrigerate for 10 minutes to set the crust.
Make the Peanut Butter Layer: In a large mixing bowl, beat the softened cream cheese until smooth. Mix in creamy peanut butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until well combined and creamy.
Whip the Cream: In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter mixture, taking care not to deflate the whipped cream to keep the texture light and airy.
Assemble the Cheesecake: Spread the peanut butter mixture evenly over the chilled crust, smoothing the top with a spatula. Refrigerate the pan for at least 2 to 3 hours to allow the cheesecake to set properly.
Prepare the Chocolate Topping: Melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl, heating in 30-second intervals and stirring between each until smooth and fully melted.
Final Assembly and Serving: Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the chilled peanut butter layer and spread smoothly. Let the chocolate set at room temperature for 15-20 minutes, then chill in the refrigerator for an additional 30 minutes. Once fully set, cut into squares and serve chilled.

Notes

Use softened cream cheese to avoid lumps and ensure a smooth mixture.
Gently fold in whipped cream to maintain fluffiness and lightness in the filling.
Do not overmix the peanut butter layer to keep it from becoming dense.
Chill the bars long enough (at least 2-3 hours) so they firm up properly.
For added texture, sprinkle crushed peanuts on top or drizzle extra melted chocolate before chilling.
Pair with cold milk, coffee, or vanilla ice cream for a delightful dessert experience.
To make gluten-free, substitute graham cracker crumbs with gluten-free cookie crumbs or almond flour.
For a vegan version, use dairy-free cream cheese and coconut whipped cream.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Dessert
Method: No-Cook
Cuisine: American

Keywords: no-bake, buckeye cheesecake bars, peanut butter dessert, easy cheesecake bars, chocolate peanut butter bars, no bake dessert, peanut butter recipe, creamy cheesecake bars