Description
This Reeses Butterfinger cheesecake bars recipe brings together creamy peanut butter cheesecake and crunchy candy pieces for an irresistible dessert that disappears fast at parties. Rich chocolate cookie crust and candy-studded filling make every bite a treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cups cream cheese
- 2 large eggs
- 1 cup Reeses peanut butter cups
- 1 cup Butterfinger candy bars
Supporting Ingredients:
- 1 cup graham cracker crumbs
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- ½ cup unsalted butter
Flavoring Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- Heat your oven to 350F and prepare a 9×9 inch baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal.
- Combine 1 cup graham cracker crumbs with ½ cup melted unsalted butter in a mixing bowl, stirring until the mixture resembles wet sand.
- Press the crumb mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan, creating an even, compact base layer.
- Using an electric mixer, whip 2 cups softened cream cheese until completely smooth and free of lumps.
- Gradually blend 1 cup powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla extract into the cream cheese, mixing until fully incorporated.
- Add 2 large eggs one at a time, beating thoroughly after each addition to maintain a silky texture.
- Gently fold 1 cup chopped Reeses peanut butter cups and 1 cup crushed Butterfinger bars into the cheesecake batter.
- Pour the entire mixture over the graham cracker crust, spreading it evenly to the pan’s edges.
- Bake at 350F for 25-30 minutes, watching for a slightly firm center that barely jiggles when gently shaken.
- Remove from the oven and let the bars cool completely at room temperature for approximately 1 hour.
- Refrigerate the pan for at least 2 hours to set the cheesecake and enhance its flavor and texture.
Notes
- Crush the Butterfinger candy bars while they’re still in the wrapper to prevent messy crumbling and keep your hands clean.
- Ensure cream cheese is at room temperature to create a smoother, lump-free cheesecake mixture that blends easily.
- When pressing the graham cracker crust into the pan, use the bottom of a measuring cup to create an even, compact layer that will hold together perfectly.
- For a gluten-free version, swap graham cracker crumbs with almond flour or gluten-free cookie crumbs, and use gluten-free candy bars.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25-30 minutes
- Category: Dessert Bars
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 8 to 10
- Calories: 394 kcal
- Sugar: 30 g
- Sodium: 190 mg
- Fat: 29 g
- Saturated Fat: 13 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0.5 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 75 mg