Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Trust me, this isn’t just another “throw some stuff together” dessert:
- NO OVEN REQUIRED! Perfect for hot summer days or when your oven is already occupied with dinner.
- It’s basically foolproof – if you can use a mixer, you can make this.
- The peanut butter-chocolate combo is scientifically proven to make people happy (okay, I made that up, but it should be true).
- You can make it 2-3 days ahead, which is a lifesaver for party planning.
- It feeds a crowd and looks way fancier than the effort you put in.
- Seriously creamy texture that rivals any baked cheesecake I’ve ever had.
- Kids go absolutely nuts for it, but it’s sophisticated enough for adults too.
The Good Stuff You’ll Need
For the Crust:
- 2 sleeves graham crackers (about 18-20 crackers)
- 1/4 cup sugar (because sweet crust = happy life)
- 6 tablespoons butter, melted (don’t even think about using margarine)
- Pinch of salt (enhances all the flavors)
For the Peanut Butter Layer:
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened (and I mean REALLY softened – leave it out for at least an hour)
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter (I use Jif, but use whatever makes you happy)
- 1 cup powdered sugar (sifted if you’re feeling fancy)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (the real stuff, not imitation)
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream (this is what makes it fluffy and amazing)