Peanut Butter Layered Delight (Printable)
No-bake peanut butter and chocolate layered dessert with a crunchy cookie crust, chilled to creamy perfection.
# Ingredient List:
→ Cookie Base
01 - 7 oz chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos), finely crushed
02 - 2 oz unsalted butter, melted
→ Peanut Butter Layer
03 - 8.8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
04 - 6.3 oz creamy peanut butter
05 - 3.5 oz powdered sugar
06 - 2/3 cup whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
→ Chocolate Layer
07 - 4.2 oz semisweet chocolate chips
08 - 1/3 cup heavy cream
→ Topping
09 - 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons whipped topping, thawed
10 - 1 oz chopped roasted peanuts (optional)
11 - Chocolate shavings (optional)
# How to Make:
01 - Combine the crushed chocolate sandwich cookies with melted butter in a mixing bowl, stirring until the crumbs are evenly coated. Press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of a 9-inch square or round springform pan. Transfer to the freezer for 15 minutes to firm up.
02 - Using an electric mixer, beat the softened cream cheese, creamy peanut butter, and powdered sugar together in a large bowl until completely smooth and free of lumps. Gently fold in the thawed whipped topping until uniformly incorporated. Spread this mixture evenly over the chilled cookie base.
03 - Place the semisweet chocolate chips and heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 20-second intervals, stirring between each burst, until the mixture is smooth, glossy, and fully melted. Let it cool slightly for a few minutes, then pour the ganache evenly over the peanut butter layer, tilting the pan to spread it into an even coating.
04 - Cover the pan tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or preferably overnight, to allow all the layers to set firmly.
05 - Spread the remaining whipped topping over the set chocolate layer in an even layer. Sprinkle with chopped roasted peanuts and chocolate shavings if desired. Slice into squares or wedges and serve well chilled.
# Helpful Tips:
01 -
- No oven required, which means you can make this in a cramped rental kitchen or during a heatwave without breaking a sweat.
- Those three distinct layers look like you spent all day building something fancy, but the whole thing comes together in about twenty five minutes of actual work.
- It feeds a crowd happily and tastes even better on day two when the layers have really gotten to know each other.
02 -
- Do not rush the chilling step because slicing into a warm or even lukewarm layered dessert will result in a messy slide of layers that refuses to hold its shape.
- Using natural peanut butter that separates will make the filling greasy and unstable, so stick with the classic creamy spread for this particular recipe.
03 -
- Line your springform pan with parchment paper before pressing in the crust and the whole dessert will lift out cleanly for beautiful slicing.
- Taste your peanut butter before mixing it in because brands vary wildly in salt and sweetness, and a quick taste now saves a regret later.