Ingredients

For the Brownie Bottom

• 6 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter melted + Extra for greasing
• 2 large Eggs
• 1 cup + 2 Tablespoons Flour
• 1/4 cup Unsweetened Hersheys Cocoa
• 1-1/2 cup Sugar
• 1 TB Pure Vanilla Extract
• 1 cup Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 cup Peanut Butter Chips
• 6 whole Peanut Butter Cups cut
• 1/2 teaspoon Baking Powder
• 1/2 teaspoon Salt

For the Cheesecake Filling

• 2 pounds Cream Cheese Softened
• 5 large Eggs
• 1 1/2 cup Brown Sugar Packed
• 1 cup Smooth Peanut Butter
• 1/2 cup Whipping Cream
• 1 Tablespoon Vanilla Extract

Topping

• Peanut Butter Cups chopped or cut in halves

Instructions

Baking the Brownie Bottom

1. Grease a deep 9-inch Springform pan with butter.
2. In a large bowl, mix together butter, sugar and vanilla.
3. Add in the eggs one at a time until fully incorporated
4. Stir in flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt, mix well
5. Spread the mixture into the greased/prepared pan.
6. Bake 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean

Meanwhile make your cheesecake filling- see below

7. Immediately after removing brownie bottom from your oven, evenly place the chocolate chips, peanut butter chips and peanut butter cups over brownies surface.
8. Then spoon the cheesecake filling over that layer.
9. Reduce oven temp to 325F

For the Cheesecake Filling:

10. In a large bowl or Mixer, beat the cream cheese until smooth.
11. Add in the eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition.
12. Add sugar, peanut butter and cream, beat until smooth.
13. Stir in vanilla extract.
14. Pour the cheesecake filling into prepared brownie bottom crust.
15. Double-wrap Springform pan with foil to prevent water getting in.
16. Wrap the foil up the sides so that the seam of the pan bottom and springform side is covered- top uncovered.
17. Place the pan into a LARGER baking pan.
18. Pour hot water into the larger pan so that the water comes to about 1 inch up the sides of the Springform pan with your cheesecake inside.
19. Bake at 325F for 1 & 1/2 hours or until firm and lightly browned.
20. Remove & allow to cool on a wire rack for at least one hour.
21. Use a knife along the edge of the cheesecake to loosen it from the pan as best as possible.
22. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, overnight is BEST.
23. add peanut butter cup halves around the edge of the cake
24. Melting chocolate over the top is optional
25. ENJOY!