No-Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Cheesecake Jar Desserts
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
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.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.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.Layer ganache:
Divide ganache among jars, spooning a generous layer over cheesecake. Tap jars gently to eliminate air pockets.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.
