Description
A rich, no-bake layered dessert featuring a buttery graham cracker crust, a fluffy peanut butter cheesecake mousse, and a silky chocolate ganache topping. Often compared to a giant peanut butter cup in dessert form, this ‘Heaven in a Bowl’ is perfect for potlucks and peanut butter lovers.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
- ½ cup melted butter
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 cup creamy peanut butter
- 8 oz cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1½ cups whipped topping (like Cool Whip)
- 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Optional: Chopped peanuts or Reese’s pieces for topping
Instructions
- Make the Crust: Mix graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and sugar together in a bowl until combined. Press the mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9×13-inch dish to form an even crust. Chill in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.
- Prepare the Peanut Butter Layer: In a large bowl, beat together the peanut butter, softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy. Gently fold in the whipped topping until the mixture is light and fluffy. Spread this evenly over the chilled crust.
- Create the Ganache: Heat the heavy cream in a microwave or small saucepan until steaming (do not let it boil). Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips in a heat-proof bowl. Let it sit for 2 minutes, then stir gently until smooth and glossy.
- Allow the ganache to cool slightly (so it doesn’t melt the filling), then spread it evenly over the peanut butter layer.
- Chill & Serve: Refrigerate the dessert for at least 4 hours or overnight until fully set. Slice and top with chopped peanuts or Reese’s pieces if desired before serving.
Notes
- Ensure the cream cheese is at room temperature to avoid lumps in the peanut butter filling.
- If the ganache seizes or isn’t smooth, you can microwave it in 10-second bursts, stirring in between.
- For cleaner slices, freeze the dessert for 30 minutes before serving and wipe the knife with a warm cloth between cuts.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake, Layering
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 square (1/15 of recipe)
- Calories: 450-500
- Sugar: 30-35 g
- Sodium: 250-300 mg
- Fat: 30-35 g
- Saturated Fat: 14-16 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35-40 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 6-8 g
- Cholesterol: 40-50 mg
