Snickers-Inspired Cheesecake Bars

Ingredients

• 24 oreos, finely crushed (for the crust)
• 1/4 cup (57g) unsalted butter, melted (for the crust)
• 16 oz (454g) cream cheese, softened (for the filling)
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar (for the filling)
• 1/4 cup (60g) sour cream, room temp (for the filling)
• 3 tbsp (~48g) creamy peanut butter (not natural style) (for the filling)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract (for the filling)
• Pinch of salt (for the filling)
• 2 large eggs, room temp (for the filling)
• 11 oz soft caramels (like kraft or werthers) (for the caramel peanut layer)
• 1/4 cup (60g) heavy cream (for the caramel peanut layer)
• 1-1 1/4 cups peanuts (dry roasted, salted) (for the caramel peanut layer)
• 6 oz (170g) semi-sweet chocolate (for the ganache)
• 85 ml (~1/3 cup) heavy cream (for the ganache)
• 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter, room temp or softened (for the ganache)
• + chopped snickers bars for topping (for the ganache)

Instructions

1. Preheat the oven to 325°F.
2. Crush 24 oreos with a food processor or by hand and mix with melted butter. Press into a parchment lined 8x8 pan and bake 8-10 minutes.
3. Let it cool.
4. Beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth.
5. Add sour cream, peanut butter, vanilla, and salt, mixing until combined.
6. Add the eggs and mix on low speed or by hand until just combined.
7. Spread this filling over the cooled crust.
8. Bake for 30-40 min, until edges are set and the center still has a little jiggle.
9. Cool for at least 30 minutes at room temp, then chill for at least 3 hours.
10. Melt the caramel and cream together in the microwave in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
11. Add the peanuts.
12. Let it cool slightly.
13. To make the ganache, melt the chocolate and heavy cream together. Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring in between until smooth.
14. Stir in the butter until melted and glossy.
15. Let it cool as well.
16. Spread the caramel peanut layer over the chilled cheesecake.
17. Pour the ganache on top of that.
18. Top with chopped snickers.
19. Chill briefly again to let the top firm up if needed.