Ultimate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

How to Make The Ultimate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

How to Make Creamy, Smooth Peanut Butter Cheesecake

• Be sure to use high-quality full-fat bricks of cream cheese. It really makes a difference!
• Whatever you don’t, don’t use cream cheese that’s meant for spreading on a bagel.
• The cream cheese should be completely softened to room temperature. If it’s too cold, it won’t mix thoroughly and you’ll end up with little bits and pockets of unblended cream cheese throughout your Peanut Butter Cheesecake.
• Make sure your eggs are at room temperature too.
• Beat the cream cheese well before adding any other ingredients. More on this below.
• You’ll also want to routinely scrape down the sides and bottom of the mixing bowl, even if you’re using a paddle attachment that scrapes as it blends.

What Type of Peanut Butter is Best for Peanut Butter Cheesecake?

Make sure to use conventional creamy peanut butter for this recipe. Conventional PB typically has an added oil in the ingredients list, which helps peanut butter emulsify. The natural stuff can separate, so I don’t recommend that here. 

Why Bake Peanut Butter Cheesecake in a Water Bath?

A water bath helps to create a gentle, moderated cooking environment, which:

• Prevents cracks and sunken middles
• Ensures an ultra-smooth and even texture
• Guarantees the outside of the cheesecake doesn’t become overbaked or curdled before the inside can finish baking.

How Do You Prepare a Cheesecake Water Bath? 

1. Make sure you’re using a high-quality springform pan and wrapping it at least 3 times in wide heavy-duty aluminum foil. You can also use a turkey oven bag or slow cooker bag to protect the pan from the water.
2. Place the springform pan in a larger roasting pan, and then place it onto the oven rack.
3. Carefully pour boiling water into the roasting pan until the water is halfway up the sides of the cheesecake pan.
4. Check out my full article here for more tips on water baths for cheesecakes. 

How Do You Prevent Cracks in Ultimate Peanut Butter Cheesecake?

Generally, there are 3 causes of cheesecake cracks:

1. Overbeating

• You want to beat the cream cheese with the sugar, sour cream, and peanut butter very thoroughly.
• Scrape down the bottom and sides of the bowl often, and beat until totally smooth.
• However, once the eggs are added, ONLY beat until combined, then stop mixing.

2. Overcooking

• The residual heat of the oven will continue to cook the Peanut Butter Cheesecake, even after you’ve turned the heat off.
• Be sure to follow the tips below to know when the cheesecake is done baking.

3. Quick temperature changes

• Quick temperature changes can be caused by opening the oven door too often or cooling the cheesecake down too quickly.
• You want gentle and slow heat. That’s why in this peanut butter cheesecake recipe, the cheesecake cools inside the oven with the door cracked.
• To prevent the Peanut Butter Cheesecake from cracking as it cools, run a thin knife around the edge of the cake as soon as it comes out of the oven.
• Only after chilling should you remove the springform ring.

How to Tell When Ultimate Peanut Butter Cheesecake is Done Baking

You want to stop baking once the Peanut Butter Cheesecake looks dry on top but is still gently wobbly in the very center. It will finish setting up as it cools in the warm oven and as it chills in the fridge.

How to Slice Peanut Butter Cheesecake

1. If you have the time, let the cheesecake sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before serving, for the best taste and texture.
2. Open the springform latch and gently remove the sides.
3. Use a sharp knife to cut slices.
4. Run the knife under hot water and wipe off the blade dry between each cut, so the slices are clean and pretty.
5. Slide a pie metal server underneath the graham cracker crust to ensure it doesn’t crumble.

How Long Does Peanut Butter Cheesecake Last?

This cheesecake will keep for 5 days loosely covered in the fridge. Note that the longer it’s stored, the less crunchy the crust will be.

Can You Freeze Peanut Butter Cheesecake?

Yes! Cheesecake freezes beautifully. Here’s how to freeze Ultimate Peanut Butter Cheesecake:

1. Place a whole cheesecake or individual slices on a baking sheet inside the freezer until firm.
2. Once firm, wrap the cheesecake or each individual slice in plastic wrap and place in a freezer bag.
3. Freeze for up to 2 months.
4. To serve, defrost a whole cheesecake in the fridge overnight. You can also defrost individual slices in the fridge overnight, or at room temperature for about 30 minutes.