Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake

As soon as I saw this on the cover of Taste of Home, I knew I had to make it. It is fabulous! It is best if made the day before serving.

• Ready In: 1 hr 25 mins
• Serves: 12

Ingredients

• CRUST

• 1 1⁄4 cups graham cracker crumbs
• 1⁄4 cup  crushed  Oreo cookies
• 1⁄4 cup sugar
• 6  tablespoons butter, melted
• 3⁄4 cup creamy peanut butter

• FILLING

• 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1  cup sugar
• 1  cup sour cream
• 3  eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1  cup  chocolate fudge topping, divided
• 6  peanut butter cups, cut into small wedges

Directions

1. In a bowl, combine cracker crumbs, cookie crumbs, sugar and butter Press on the bottom and 1 inch up the sides of a greased 9 inch springform pan.
2. Bake at 350º for 7-9 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
3. In a microwave safe bowl, heat peanut butter on HIGH for 30 seconds or until softened. Spread carefully over crust to within 1 inch of edges.
4. In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, sugar and sour cream until smooth. Add eggs and beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in vanilla. Pour one cup of cream cheese batter into a bowl and set aside. Pour remaining filling over peanut butter in crust.
5. In a microwave safe bowl, heat 1/4 cup hot fudge topping on HIGH for 30 seconds or until thin. Fold into reserved cream cheese batter. Carefully spoon over filling and cut through filling with a knife to swirl being careful not to disturb peanut butter layer or the crust.
6. Bake at 350º for 55-65 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the edge of the pan to loosen but do not remove sides. Cool 1 hour longer on wire rack.
7. Microwave remaining hot fudge topping for 30 seconds or until warmed. Spread over cheesecake. Garnish with peanut butter cups.
8. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan and serve.