Through this 20% Project, I have found that my passion in baking is definitely stemmed from my eagerness to provide tasty treats for friends and family. This week, I would like to dedicate my researched recipe to my #1 hero: my dad. Growing up, my dad was found in the kitchen as frequently as my mom, and was one of the main reasons I enjoyed baking. He has the BIGGEST sweet tooth and loved sampling all the desserts I would test out in the kitchen. His mother (my Grandmama) was a home economics teacher in High School and loved to cook. His birthday is this week, and I decided that I wanted to find a recipe that would satisfy his palate.
As a lover of peanut butter and chocolate, I decided to go to Pinterest to see what I could find. I had trouble finding a French Pastry to suit the occasion and ingredients, so I decided to open up my search to include all desserts. I stumbled upon a tasty dessert from one of the boards I follow: Southern Living Magazine. I found a delicious looking "Cinderella Cheesecake": a chewy brownie batter crust that is enveloped by a creamy peanut butter cheesecake, topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips! A delicious looking dessert for the best dad!
As a lover of peanut butter and chocolate, I decided to go to Pinterest to see what I could find. I had trouble finding a French Pastry to suit the occasion and ingredients, so I decided to open up my search to include all desserts. I stumbled upon a tasty dessert from one of the boards I follow: Southern Living Magazine. I found a delicious looking "Cinderella Cheesecake": a chewy brownie batter crust that is enveloped by a creamy peanut butter cheesecake, topped with whipped cream and chocolate chips! A delicious looking dessert for the best dad!
Ingredients
- Brownie Crust
- 3 (1-oz.) unsweetened chocolate baking squares
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter
- 1/2 cup sifted all-purpose flour
- 1/8 teaspoon table salt
- 1/8 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 large eggs $
- 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 (1-oz.) bittersweet chocolate baking square, finely chopped
- Cheesecake Filling and Topping
- 1 1/2 (8-oz.) packages cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
- 3 large eggs $
- 1/2 cup sour cream
- 1 1/3 cups creamy peanut butter $
- Sour Cream Topping
- Chocolate curls
- 1. Prepare Brownie Crust: Preheat oven to 350°. Microwave first 2 ingredients in a small microwave-safe bowl at MEDIUM (50% power) 1 1/2 minutes or until melted, stirring at 30-second intervals. Stir together flour, salt, and baking powder in a bowl.
- 2. Beat 2 eggs and 1 cup brown sugar at medium-high speed with an electric mixer 3 to 4 minutes or until batter forms thin ribbons when beaters are lifted. Add vanilla, bittersweet chocolate, and melted chocolate mixture, and beat just until blended. Stir in flour mixture just until combined.
- 3. Spread 1 cup brownie mixture on bottom of a greased and floured 9-inch springform pan. Bake at 350° on center oven rack 13 to 15 minutes or until set. Cool on a wire rack 10 minutes; freeze 15 minutes. Remove from freezer; spread remaining brownie batter up sides of pan to 1/4 inch from top, sealing batter to bottom crust.
- 4. Prepare Filling: Beat cream cheese and 1 cup brown sugar at medium speed with a heavy-duty electric stand mixer until blended. Add 3 eggs, 1 at a time, beating just until yellow disappears after each addition. Beat in sour cream just until blended. Beat in peanut butter until blended.
- 5. Pour filling into prepared crust. (Mixture will not completely fill crust.) Bake at 350° for 35 minutes or until center is almost set.
- 6. Remove from oven. Spread Sour Cream Topping over center of cheesecake, leaving a 2-inch border around edge. Bake at 350° for 1 more minute. Remove from oven; gently run a knife around edge of cheesecake to loosen. Cool completely on a wire rack.
- 7. Cover and chill 8 to 12 hours. Remove sides of pan. Top with chocolate curls.
- Note: We tested with Jif peanut butter.