Peanut Butter Cheesecake

I have been on this cheesecake craze, looking for all different kinds of cheesecakes to make.  Here is one I did for Father's Day this year combining two of my dad's favorite flavors: peanut butter and chocolate.  The pairing of sweet and salty, and creamy and crunchy, and peanut butter and chocolate, is so amazing!


Ingredients:
Crust:  
1 1/2 c. finely crushed pretzels
1/3 c. melted butter


Filling:
5 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese
1 1/2 c. sugar
1 1/4 c. crunchy peanut butter
2 t. vanilla extract
3 eggs
2 c. chocolate chips


Topping:
1/2 c. chocolate chips
3 T. butter
1/2 c. peanuts

In a small bowl combine pretzels and butter.  Press into the bottom of a greased 9 in. spring form pan.  Bake the crust at 350F for 5 min.  Cool on a wire rack. 

In a stand mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.  Add peanut butter and vanilla; mix well.  Add eggs; beat on low speed just until blended.

Pour in chocolate chips and mix to combine.

Pour cheesecake mixture over the warm crust.  Bake at 350F for 50-60 min.  Let cool on a wire rack for 10 min.  Run a knife around the edges of the pan and let cool for 1 hour.  Refrigerate overnight.


In a saucepan combine chocolate chips and butter.  Stir until smooth.  Spread over cheesecake leaving a small "crust".  Sprinkle with the peanuts.  Refrigerate until chocolate hardens.