Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cake Recipe

The Ultimate Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cake Recipe

Decadent layers of velvety chocolate merge effortlessly with rich peanut butter in this irresistible chocolate peanut butter cheesecake cake recipe that promises pure indulgence.

Smooth cream cheese blends seamlessly with deep chocolate notes, creating a dessert that melts hearts instantly.

Each slice reveals a luxurious texture that dances between creamy and dense.

chocolate and peanut butter lovers will swoon over this ultimate dessert combination.

Delicate yet bold, this cake brings together two classic flavors in a seriously stunning presentation.

The secret lies in perfectly balanced ingredients that complement each other with every single bite.

You won’t be able to resist a second slice of this show-stopping dessert that transforms an ordinary evening into a celebration of pure deliciousness.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 1 hour

Cook Time: 70 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes

Calories: 550 kcal

Servings: 13

Chocolate PB Cheesecake Cake Ingredients

For Cheesecake Base:
  • Cream Cheese: Provides rich, smooth foundation for tangy cheesecake texture with silky consistency.
  • Granulated Sugar: Balances cream cheese's tanginess and adds delightful sweetness.
  • Creamy Peanut Butter: Introduces nutty depth and creates irresistible flavor profile.
  • Kosher Salt: Enhances overall taste and intensifies other ingredients.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and create smooth, stable cheesecake structure.
  • Sour Cream: Adds moisture and creates luxurious, velvety texture.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Contributes richness and helps achieve creamy consistency.
For Chocolate Cake Base:
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates tender, moist cake with rich flavor.
  • Granulated Sugar: Provides sweetness and helps develop cake's structure.
  • Eggs: Bind ingredients and add structure to cake.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Creates cake's fundamental structure and texture.
  • Unsweetened Dark Chocolate Cocoa Powder: Delivers intense chocolate flavor.
  • Kosher Salt: Balances sweetness and enhances chocolate notes.
  • Baking Soda, Baking Powder: Ensure proper rising and light texture.
  • Strong Brewed Coffee: Deepens chocolate flavor and adds complexity.
  • Milk: Adds moisture and helps blend ingredients smoothly.
For Frosting and Topping:
  • Unsalted Butter: Creates smooth, spreadable frosting base.
  • Creamy Peanut Butter: Adds signature nutty flavor to frosting.

Tools for Cheesecake Cake Creation

  • Springform pan: Essential for baking the cheesecake layer without breaking it.
  • Electric mixer: Perfect for creating smooth, creamy textures in cheesecake and frosting.
  • Large roasting pan: Crucial for creating a water bath to ensure even baking.
  • Cake pans (9-inch): Needed for baking the chocolate cake layers.
  • Microwave-safe bowl: Great for melting chocolate and making ganache.
  • Whisk: Helps blend dry ingredients smoothly.
  • Spatula: Useful for mixing and scraping batter.
  • Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes removing layers easier.
  • Measuring cups and spoons: Ensures precise ingredient quantities.

Step-by-Step for PB Chocolate Cheesecake Cake

  • Cheesecake Foundation

A silky smooth layer that forms the heart of this decadent dessert. The cheesecake needs careful preparation to ensure a creamy, luscious texture that melts in your mouth.

  • Chocolate Cake Layers

Rich, moist chocolate cake that provides the perfect frame for the creamy cheesecake center. These layers bring deep, intense cocoa flavor to complement the tangy cheesecake.

  • Peanut Butter Dream Frosting

Creamy, whipped frosting that adds a nutty richness and smooth texture. This frosting bridges the chocolate and cheesecake elements, creating a harmonious flavor profile.

  • Chocolate Ganache Finale

A glossy, luxurious chocolate coating that cascades over the entire cake. This final touch adds a professional shine and extra burst of chocolate decadence.

  • Artistic Assembly

Carefully stack the layers, creating a stunning visual masterpiece. Delicate placement and gentle frosting techniques transform this dessert into a work of culinary art.

Flavor Variations & Helpful Notes

  • Cooking Tips & Variations
  • Cheesecake Texture Trick: Prevent cracks by using a water bath and allowing the cheesecake to cool slowly inside the turned-off oven, creating a silky smooth surface every single time.
  • Make-Ahead Magic: Prepare the cheesecake layer up to 3 days in advance and store it in the refrigerator, saving precious time when assembling the final cake.
  • Flavor Flex: Swap out regular peanut butter for crunchy or natural peanut butter to add extra texture and depth to the cheesecake layer.
  • Chocolate Lover's Twist: Experiment with different chocolate types like dark, milk, or white chocolate for the ganache to create unique flavor profiles that match your personal taste preferences.
  • Storage Savvy: Wrap the fully assembled cake tightly in plastic wrap and store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days, or freeze individual slices for a quick dessert emergency.

Serve Chocolate PB Cake with Flair

  • Decadent Dessert Duo: Slice this rich cake alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream for a creamy contrast that elevates every bite.
  • Chocolate Lover's Dream: Garnish with extra Dove® chocolates, chocolate shavings, or crushed peanut butter cups around the base for dramatic presentation and added crunch.
  • Coffee Companion: Pair with a steaming espresso or cappuccino to complement the deep chocolate and nutty peanut butter flavors, creating a sophisticated dessert experience.
  • Party Presentation Perfection: Serve on a beautiful cake stand with decorative chocolate drizzles and a light dusting of cocoa powder to make this cake the stunning centerpiece of any celebration.

Tips for Storage & Make-Ahead

  • Slice Strategically: Cut the entire cake into individual portions before storing. Wrap each slice separately in plastic wrap to maintain freshness and prevent flavor absorption from other foods.
  • Chill Zone Strategy: Store the cake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Keep it towards the back of the fridge where temperature remains most consistent to protect delicate texture.
  • Freeze for Future Delight: Wrap the entire cake or individual slices tightly in two layers of plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container. Frozen cake stays delicious for 2-3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator for best results.
  • Room Temperature Windows: Remove cake from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to soften and chocolate ganache to reach perfect creamy consistency. Serve on a beautiful cake stand to elevate the presentation and create a stunning dessert moment.
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Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cake Recipe

Decadent Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Cake Recipe


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4.8 from 32 reviews

  • Total Time: 2 hours 10 minutes
  • Yield: 13 1x

Description

Rich chocolate layers sandwich homemade peanut butter cheesecake filling for an indulgent dessert. Creamy textures and deep flavors make this cake irresistible when shared with friends or enjoyed solo.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) all-purpose flour
  • ½ cup (50 g) unsweetened dark chocolate cocoa powder
  • 2 packages (16 oz or 454 g) cream cheese, softened
  • 1 ½ cups (360 ml) creamy peanut butter
  • ½ cup (113 g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup (120 ml) strong brewed coffee, cooled
  • ½ cup (120 ml) milk
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) sour cream
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) heavy whipping cream
  • 4 tbsps milk
  • 1 ½ cups (300 g) granulated sugar
  • 5 cups (600 g) powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp kosher salt
  • 1 tsp baking soda
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • 15 Dove® Dark Chocolate PROMISES (about 4 oz or 113 g)
  • 8 Dove® Peanut Butter and Milk Chocolate PROMISES for garnish

Instructions

  1. Preparation: Create a water bath by filling a roasting pan with water and positioning it on the oven’s bottom rack. Preheat to 325°F (165°C) and line a springform pan with parchment paper.
  2. Cheesecake Mixture: Whip cream cheese and sugar until silky. Gently incorporate peanut butter, salt, eggs, sour cream, and heavy cream into a uniform batter.
  3. Baking Cheesecake: Transfer the batter to the prepared pan, ensuring an even surface. Bake for 45 minutes, then turn off the oven and let it rest inside for an additional 25-30 minutes to set properly.
  4. Chocolate Cake Layers: Heat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and coat cake pans with baking spray. Sift dry ingredients in one bowl, blend coffee with milk in another.
  5. Cake Batter: Cream butter and sugar until fluffy, adding eggs one at a time. Fold in dry ingredients and coffee-milk mixture alternately to create a smooth batter.
  6. Cake Baking: Divide batter between prepared pans and bake for 25 minutes until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  7. Peanut Butter Frosting: Whip butter until creamy, blend in peanut butter, then gradually add powdered sugar and milk to create a light, spreadable consistency. Reserve 1½ cups for decorative garnish.
  8. Chocolate Ganache: Microwave chocolate and cream together, stirring until smooth and glossy. Cool for 15 minutes to achieve the right pouring consistency.
  9. Cake Assembly: Place one chocolate cake layer on a serving plate, top with the chilled cheesecake layer, and add the second cake layer. Frost entirely with peanut butter frosting, ensuring an even coating.
  10. Final Touches: Refrigerate briefly to set the initial frosting layer. Pour cooled ganache over the cake, allowing elegant drips. Embellish with Dove® chocolates and pipe reserved frosting for decorative details. Refrigerate until serving to allow flavors to meld and texture to set perfectly.

Notes

  • Stabilize Water Bath: Wrap springform pan’s exterior with aluminum foil to prevent water seepage and protect delicate cheesecake texture.
  • Temperature Control: Allow cheesecake to cool gradually inside oven after baking to minimize cracking and maintain smooth surface.
  • Room Temperature Ingredients: Ensure cream cheese, eggs, and butter are at room temperature for seamless blending and consistent texture.
  • Ganache Precision: Let chocolate ganache cool slightly before pouring to achieve perfect dripping consistency without overwhelming cake layers.
  • Prep Time: 1 hour
  • Cook Time: 70 minutes
  • Category: Desserts
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: American

Nutrition

  • Serving Size: 13
  • Calories: 550
  • Sugar: 58 g
  • Sodium: 250 mg
  • Fat: 34 g
  • Saturated Fat: 15 g
  • Unsaturated Fat: 19 g
  • Trans Fat: 0 g
  • Carbohydrates: 57 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Protein: 10 g
  • Cholesterol: 70 mg
Emily Roberts

Emily Roberts

Content Creator & Kitchen Tips Specialist

Expertise

Dietary Planning​, Public Health Nutrition, Nutritional Education​, Content Development​

Education

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • Degree: Master of Science in Nutritional Sciences
  • Focus: Research on dietary patterns and their impact on chronic diseases.​

Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN)

  • Credential: Expertise in translating nutrition science into practical advice. ​

Emily Roberts is our content specialist and registered dietitian at HealthyChoices.org. With her Master’s degree in Nutritional Sciences from the University of Illinois and her Registered Dietitian Nutritionist certification, Emily uses her deep nutrition knowledge to write helpful, easy-to-understand guides about healthy eating. 

Her warm, practical advice empowers readers to confidently make healthier choices, turning everyday meals into simple moments of wellness and joy.

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