Daily Flavor

When cravings for peanut butter and chocolate strike, these No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake Jar Desserts answer the call in portable perfection. As a longtime pastry critic who’s tasted countless sundaes and tarts, I appreciate desserts that marry flavor, texture, and presentation without demanding hours in the oven. These jarred treats layer a silky peanut butter–infused cream cheese filling with glossy chocolate ganache, all atop a buttery graham cracker crumb base. The result is an interplay of sweet, salty, creamy, and crunchy that delights the senses and requires zero baking.

What Sets Them Apart

• Textural contrast: Crisp crumb, lush cheesecake, and smooth ganache in each spoonful.

• Make-ahead convenience: Assemble hours or a day in advance—perfect for dinner parties or grab-and-go treats.

• Customizable flair: Swap peanuts for pretzels, swirl in caramel, or use dark versus milk chocolate to suit your taste.

Ingredients (makes 6 jars)

• Crust:

  • 1½ cups graham cracker crumbs

  • 3 tbsp melted unsalted butter

• Cheesecake layer:

  • 8 oz cream cheese, softened

  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter

  • ½ cup powdered sugar

  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream, softly whipped

  • 1 tsp vanilla extract

• Chocolate ganache:

  • 4 oz dark chocolate, chopped

  • ⅓ cup heavy cream

• Toppings:

  • 2 tbsp chopped roasted peanuts

  • Flaky sea salt (optional)

Assembly Instructions

1. Prepare crust:
   In a bowl, mix graham crumbs with melted butter until evenly moistened. Press ~2 tbsp mixture into the bottom of each 6-oz jar, smoothing with the back of a spoon. Chill while making filling.

2. Whip cheesecake filling:
   Beat cream cheese, peanut butter, sugar, and vanilla until smooth. In a separate bowl, whip cream to soft peaks. Fold whipped cream gently into peanut butter mixture until light and airy. Spoon or pipe over crust, filling each jar about two-thirds full.

3. Make ganache:
   Heat heavy cream until just simmering. Pour over chopped chocolate; let sit 1 minute, then stir until glossy and smooth. Cool slightly before use.

4. Layer ganache:
   Divide ganache among jars, spooning a generous layer over cheesecake. Tap jars gently to eliminate air pockets.

5. Garnish and chill:
   Sprinkle chopped peanuts and a pinch of sea salt over ganache. Refrigerate at least 2 hours (or overnight) to fully set.

To serve, peel back jar lid and enjoy directly with a small spoon, or unmold onto a plate for a rustic presentation. These no-bake jars are crowd-pleasers, combining the nostalgia of peanut butter cups with the sophistication of cheesecake parfaits—all in an Instagram-worthy package.