The Ultimate No-Bake Buckeye Cheesecake Bars (An Easy, Decadent Treat!)

Hello, my friends, and welcome to what might just be the most dangerously delicious, no-bake dessert on the planet. If you are a fan of the timeless, perfect marriage of chocolate and peanut butter, then you need to stop what you’re doing and listen closely. Today, we are creating a masterpiece of sweet, salty, and creamy perfection: these incredible No-Bake Buckeye Cheesecake Bars. Imagine a crisp, dark, and chocolatey Oreo cookie crust. On top of that rests a luxuriously thick, impossibly creamy, and intensely peanut-buttery cheesecake filling. And the crowning glory? A simple, smooth layer of rich chocolate that ties the whole glorious creation together.

This isn’t just a dessert; it’s a celebration of a classic flavor combination, transformed into an elegant, easy-to-make bar that requires absolutely zero oven time. It’s the perfect make-ahead treat for parties, gatherings, or for those moments when you need a truly spectacular dessert without any of the fuss.

Why This is The Perfect No-Bake Dessert

This recipe is pure, simple, and guaranteed to be a home run. Here’s why it will become your new go-to treat.

• The Ultimate Chocolate & Peanut Butter Fix: This is the flavor combination we all know and love, elevated to its most delicious form. It’s sweet, salty, rich, and completely irresistible.
• A True No-Bake Wonder: This is the perfect dessert for hot summer days or when your oven is occupied. Your refrigerator does all the hard work!
• Incredibly Rich and Creamy: The texture of the peanut butter cheesecake filling is out of this world. It’s smooth, dense, and melts in your mouth.
• The Perfect Make-Ahead Dessert: This recipe is a host’s dream come true. It must be made ahead of time, allowing the layers to set perfectly, which means your dessert is completely done before your guests arrive.
• Deceptively Easy: While these bars look and taste incredibly gourmet, they are so simple to assemble. If you can crush cookies and use a hand mixer, you can make this masterpiece.

Gather Your Delicious Ingredients: What You’ll Need

Let’s get our simple, decadent ingredients ready to go.

For the Oreo Crust:

• 2 cups Finely Crushed Oreos (from about 22 cookies)
• 6 Tbsp. Unsalted Butter, melted

For the Peanut Butter Cheesecake:

• 2 (8-oz.) blocks Cream Cheese, softened to room temperature: This is crucial!
• 1 cup Creamy Peanut Butter
• 1 cup (115 g.) Confectioners’ Sugar
• 1 tsp. Pure Vanilla Extract

For the Chocolate Topping:

• ¾ cup Semisweet Chocolate Chips

Crafting Your Cheesecake Bars: Step-by-Step Guide

Let’s build this beautiful, three-layered dessert together.

1. Make the Oreo Crust: First, let’s create our perfect foundation. Line a 9×9-inch square pan with parchment paper, leaving a 2-inch overhang on two opposite sides to act as a “sling” for easy removal later. In a medium bowl, mix the finely crushed Oreo crumbs and the melted butter together until the crumbs are evenly moistened. Pour this mixture into your prepared pan. Using the bottom of a measuring cup or the back of a spoon, press the mixture firmly and evenly into the bottom of the pan. Place the pan in the refrigerator while you prepare the filling.
2. Whip the Peanut Butter Cheesecake Filling: In a large bowl, using a handheld electric mixer on medium-high speed, beat the softened cream cheese and the creamy peanut butter together until the mixture is completely smooth and free of lumps. Add the confectioners’ sugar and vanilla extract and beat again until everything is well combined and the filling is light and creamy.

1. Assemble and Chill: Spoon the glorious peanut butter cheesecake filling over the chilled Oreo crust. Use a small offset spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it into a smooth, even layer. Place the pan back in the refrigerator and let it chill until the cheesecake layer is well-chilled and firm. This will take at least 2 hours, but you can also leave it overnight.
2. Add the Chocolate Topping: In a small, microwave-safe bowl, melt the semisweet chocolate chips in 30-second increments, stirring well between each interval, until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth. Pour the melted chocolate over the chilled cheesecake layer. Working quickly, use your offset spatula to spread the chocolate into a thin, even layer.
3. Final Chill, Slice, and Serve: Return the pan to the refrigerator for about 30 more minutes, or until the chocolate topping is completely hardened. When you’re ready to serve, use the parchment paper overhang to lift the entire block out of the pan and onto a cutting board. Cut into 16 squares and serve.

Wise Tips for the Perfect Bars

• The Parchment Sling is Your Best Friend: Don’t skip this step! Leaving that parchment overhang makes it incredibly easy to remove the bars from the pan for clean, perfect cuts.
• Room Temperature Cream Cheese is a MUST: For the absolute smoothest, creamiest, non-lumpy cheesecake filling, your cream cheese must be thoroughly softened to room temperature before you begin mixing.
• The Chill is Crucial: It can be tempting to cut into these right away, but the chilling times are essential. Chilling the crust helps it set, chilling the cheesecake layer makes it firm, and chilling the final chocolate topping allows you to get those beautiful, clean slices.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) – No-Bake Buckeye Cheesecake Bars

1. Can I use a different kind of peanut butter?
   For the most reliable and creamiest result, a conventional, stabilized creamy peanut butter (like Jif or Skippy) is recommended. Natural peanut butters where the oil separates can sometimes result in a greasier or less firm filling.
2. Can I use a different kind of cookie for the crust?
   Absolutely! A crust made from crushed Nutter Butter cookies, graham crackers, or even shortbread cookies would also be delicious.
3. Can I make these in a different size pan?
   Yes. You can make this in an 8×8-inch pan for slightly thicker bars. You could also double the recipe and make it in a 13×9-inch pan for a larger crowd.
4. How do I store these cheesecake bars?
   Store the bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week. They are fantastic served chilled, straight from the fridge.

Conclusion

These No-Bake Buckeye Cheesecake Bars are pure, decadent joy. They are a celebration of the world’s most perfect flavor combination, and a testament to the fact that you don’t need an oven to create a truly spectacular, crowd-pleasing dessert. It’s a simple, impressive, and ridiculously delicious treat that you will make again and again. Enjoy every single rich and creamy bite!