The Ultimate Reese’s Cheesecake Recipe
Indulge in the rich and creamy Ultimate Reese’s Cheesecake, featuring a delightful Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups crust, smooth vanilla-scented cream cheese filling, and a luscious semi-sweet chocolate ganache topping. This decadent dessert is perfect for peanut butter and chocolate lovers looking for a crowd-pleasing treat.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 60-70 minutes
- Total Time: 5 hours
- Yield: 10-12 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
Crust
- 1.5 cups Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, crushed (about 20 cups)
- 0.25 cup unsalted melted butter
Filling
- 32 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1.25 cups sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
Ganache
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 8 oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare the pan: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a 9-inch springform pan thoroughly to prevent sticking.
- Make the crust: In a mixing bowl, combine the crushed Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups with the melted unsalted butter. Press this mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared springform pan to form an even crust layer.
- Prepare the filling: In a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese and sugar together until smooth and creamy. Blend in the vanilla extract. Add the eggs one at a time, beating just until each is incorporated to avoid overmixing.
- Assemble and bake: Pour the cream cheese filling over the prepared crust in the springform pan. Bake for 60 to 70 minutes, or until the edges are set but the center still has a slight wobble, indicating it is properly baked but not overdone.
- Cool in oven: Once baked, turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake inside, keeping the oven door ajar to cool slowly. This prevents cracking and helps maintain a creamy texture.
- Prepare ganache: While the cheesecake cools, heat the heavy cream in a saucepan over medium heat until just about to boil. Remove from heat and add the semi-sweet chocolate chips. Let sit for one minute, then stir gently until the ganache is smooth and glossy.
- Finish and chill: Pour the warm ganache evenly over the cooled cheesecake surface. Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours, or until fully set and chilled, before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is softened to room temperature for smooth mixing and a creamy texture.
- Crushing the Reese’s cups finely will help form a compact crust.
- Do not overbeat the eggs into the filling to avoid air bubbles and cracks during baking.
- Cooling the cheesecake in the oven with the door ajar helps prevent surface cracking.
- Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight for best flavor and texture.
Keywords: Reese's cheesecake, peanut butter cheesecake, chocolate ganache cheesecake, dessert recipe, creamy cheesecake
