Chocolate Castles

When I saw this on Just A Pinch Recipe site, I knew it was for me. The perfect little dessert when you just can’t put your finger on what flavor you are wanting, it combines 3 of my favorites, chocolate, peanut butter and cream cheese. You won’t be disappointed.

Preheat oven to 350. Line with foil and grease a 9×13 pan.

For chocolate crust:

Mix together the sugar, flour, cocoa powder and baking powder. With beater, beat in the butter & egg. Spread with spatula in the bottom of the pan.

Sprinkle 1 cup chocolate chips onto the crust.

Cheesecake batter:

Place the bowl and beaters in the freezer for about 5 minutes. Whip the whipping cream until stiff. Set aside.

Cream together the cream cheese, peanut butter and sugar. Scrape bowl occasionally to ensure it is evenly mixed. Add vanilla and whipped cream and blend together. Add eggs, one at a time until mixed well.

Pour batter onto crust. Take butter knife and swirl just through batter (not all the way to the bottom to ensure no air bubbles is in batter. Bake at 350 for about 25 min. Turn off oven and  LEAVING DOOR CLOSED, leave in oven 35 min more.

Take out cheesecake and cool completely.

For chocolate ganache:

Heat 1 cup heavy cream over medium heat until warm, almost hot. Pull from heat and add semi-sweet chocolate chips. Do not stir. After cream has cooled, transfer mixture to mixing bowl. Beat on high until smooth and creamy. Spread over cooled cheesecake. Cut into bars after 2-4 hours of being in fridge.