Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Brownies with Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate and Peanut Butter or Chocolate and Cheesecake… I am not sure which is my favorite combination of chocolate BUT the great thing about this brownie recipe is that you don’t have to choose…it has it all! I was inspired to make this goodie when some friends came over for a get together and brought us a big huge bag of Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. I set some out on the table and stashed the rest away for later in hopes to bake a yummy sinful treat… and this is what came of it…

These Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake Brownies with Chocolate Ganache Frosting are TO DIE FOR! I realize the name is super long, but I didn’t want to leave out a single bit. Every part of this brownie is absolutely A-MAZING and deserves the credit!!!

Here’s What’cha Need

Favorite Brownie recipe (or box mix & ingredients listed on box)
8 oz cream cheese (room temperature)
14 oz can of sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp vanilla
1 egg
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1 package of chocolate chips or 12 oz chocolate chopped
1 1/2 cups Peanut Butter Cup candies chopped

Here’s What’cha Do:

Pre heat oven to 350, grease brownie pan (I used a 9 x 13)
Prepare brownies and pour into pan
For cheesecake filling: In small bowl, beat cream cheese until creamy, add 1 egg peanut butter, vanilla and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until combined and creamy.
Pour cream cheese mixture on top of brownies, spread around to coat entire pan.
Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until cheesecake layer is set (slightly brown)
Cool in pan completely then cool in fridge for at least an hour
Prepare ganache – Place chocolate chunks in small bowl. Heat cream in saucepan over medium heat until it begins to boil (stirring frequently), then immediately pour over top of chocolate. Stir until all the chocolate is melted. (FYI- the longer the ganche cools, the thicker it becomes. For spreading like frosting I would recommend sitting in the fridge for an hour or so.)
Spread ganache over top of cheesecake layer. Then add chopped peanut butter cups for topping.