Name: How To Make No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars
Prep time: 25 min
Ingredients: For the crust:; 200 g (about 2 cups) graham cracker crumbs; 100 g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, browned; 2 tbsp sugar; For the cheesecake filling:; 450 g (16 oz) cream cheese, softened; 240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks; 50 g (1/4 cup) sugar; 50 g (1/4 cup) caster sugar; 2 tsp vanilla extract; 1/8 tsp cream of tartar; 1 tsp lemon juice; 30 g (1/8 cup) sour cream; Split additions:; Bowl 1: 1/4 cup cocoa powder; Bowl 2: 1/3 cup melted peanut butter; Toppings:; Whipped cream; Chocolate drizzle; Cocoa Powder

These no-bake chocolate peanut butter cheesecake bars are creamy, rich, and layered with peanut butter and cocoa on a graham cracker crust. An easy make-ahead dessert that’s perfect for holidays, parties, or anytime you need a Reese’s-style treat without the oven!

This delish recipe is part of our ongoing collaboration with our sister blog, Whisk & Wunder — where we share beautiful recipes for our German-speaking audience!
If you’re looking for the German version of this recipe, click here.
🇩🇪 Für das Rezept auf Deutsch klick einfach hier: Zum deutschen Rezept 🇩🇪

Looking for English? Keep reading! 🇨🇦

Prep Time: 25 minutes
Chill Time: 8 hours (overnight)
Total Time: 8 hours 25 minutes
Servings: 12 bars

We are currently coming to you from Tokyo! We are doing a #TastyTravels trip! With how hot it is here it reminded me of how in this heat it is impossible to even want to turn on the oven to bake. We realized we never uploaded this recipe for you all! This one is perfect for all seasons. No-bake, no fuss, and gone within minutes!

There are some desserts you make once and then realize: Oh wow, I’ll never go back. That’s exactly how I feel about no-bake cheesecakes for holidays and gatherings. Once you skip the oven, you’ll never again find yourself elbowing past the turkey or waiting for the dinner rolls to finish before dessert can go in. These cheesecake bars chill quietly in the fridge while you get on with the fun part—celebrating.

And flavor-wise? They’re basically like a Reese’s peanut butter cup—but better. Creamy, layered, and elegant enough for a holiday table while still being weeknight-friendly.

How these No Bake Cheesecake Bars Came To Be…

The first time I served these, it was for a holiday potluck where every inch of oven space was already claimed. I brought a chilled tray of mini loaf cheesecakes layered with peanut butter and chocolate, and they disappeared in minutes. People were asking for the recipe before I even sat down. From then on, no-bake became my go-to move for entertaining—it’s fuss-free, forgiving, and tastes like pure indulgence.

Is this budget-friendly?

Definitely. Cream cheese, peanut butter, cocoa, and graham crackers are all affordable staples. Browning the butter is the secret twist—just a couple extra minutes on the stove gives the crust a deep, nutty flavor that feels bakery-level without the bakery price tag. Compared to store-bought cheesecakes or boxed mixes, this is a wow dessert that costs less and makes more. We always recommend checking out your budget stores for kitchen staples. In America or Europe? Aldi all the way! (Trader Joes for US also!) Canada? Don’t skip out on bulk barn! If you are American reading this please know, we strive to have all of our recipes EBT friendly! Check with your local grocery to confirm.

If you are finding it hard to budget out certain items please send us a message and we can try and whip up a more budget friendly option for you. We believe baking and delicious food should be accessible for everyone.

Why You’ll Love It

Holiday-ready without oven stress – no waiting in the kitchen, no juggling trays.
Chocolate + peanut butter swirl – like a Reese’s bar in cheesecake form.
Make-ahead friendly – prepare the night before and relax the day-of.
Flexible serving sizes – use silicone mini loaf pans for portions or a square pan for bars.

If you love this, you’ll love…

No-Bake Chocolate Orange Cheesecake
A citrusy, indulgent cheesecake with layers of silky chocolate and fresh orange zest. Perfect when you want a bright, festive twist without turning on the oven.
No-Bake Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake
Light, tangy, and packed with fresh blueberry flavor, this one’s ideal for spring brunches or summer holidays.
Irresistible No-Bake Nutella Truffles
Creamy, chocolatey, and oh-so-simple, these truffles are the bite-sized cousin of our cheesecakes. Great for gifting or snacking.
Peanut Butter Cookies (Better Than Basic)
Chewy, nutty, and rich—this is the upgrade your peanut butter cookie jar deserves. A must-try for peanut butter fans!

📌 Pin Me!

Make your dessert board holiday-ready with this creamy cheesecake bar recipe. Save it now so you’ll always have an oven-free showstopper for busy events!

And if you’re a dessert lover like me, sign up for our TastyCue list—we share no-bake ideas, holiday inspiration, and reader favorites every week.

Ingredients

For the crust:

200 g (about 2 cups) graham cracker crumbs
100 g (7 tbsp) unsalted butter, browned
2 tbsp sugar

For the cheesecake filling:

450 g (16 oz) cream cheese, softened
240 ml (1 cup) heavy cream, whipped to soft peaks
50 g (1/4 cup) sugar
50 g (1/4 cup) caster sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/8 tsp cream of tartar
1 tsp lemon juice
30 g (1/8 cup) sour cream

Split additions:

Bowl 1: 1/4 cup cocoa powder
Bowl 2: 1/3 cup melted peanut butter

Toppings:

Whipped cream
Chocolate drizzle
Cocoa powder

Equipment:

Blender (optional)
Mini silicone loaf pans or 9×9 square silicone pan
Handmixer or stand mixer
Stove top (for browning butter)

Directions

Make the crust. Brown the butter until nutty and golden. Mix with graham cracker crumbs and sugar. Press firmly into loaf pans or square pan. Freeze.
Cheesecake base. Beat cream cheese until smooth. Add sugars, vanilla, lemon juice, cream of tartar, and sour cream. Fold in whipped cream until fluffy.
Split & flavor. Divide into two bowls. Stir cocoa into one, melted peanut butter into the other.
Layer. Spread peanut butter filling halfway, top with chocolate filling. Smooth out. Refrigerate overnight.
Decorate. Add whipped cream, dust cocoa, and drizzle chocolate before serving.

FAQ

Can I swap the peanut butter?
Yes! Almond butter, cookie butter, or even Nutella work beautifully.

What if I only have an 8-inch pan?
Totally fine—just adjust layer thickness.

Can I make this dairy-free?
Yes, with vegan cream cheese, coconut cream, and plant-based butter.

Do I have to brown the butter?
Not required, but trust me—it makes the crust taste like caramelized heaven.

Storage & Meal Prep

Store bars in the fridge for up to 4 days in an airtight container. To freeze, wrap slices individually and freeze up to 1 month—thaw overnight before serving. These bars are an excellent prep-ahead dessert for busy holidays.

The Final Forkful

These cheesecake bars are the answer to dessert stress. No oven, no hassle, just layers of chocolate and peanut butter magic. Once you try no-bake for holidays, you won’t go back. Leave me a comment below if you’re team no-bake too—I’d love to hear what you’re making this season.

If you have a chance to try this recipe out let us know! We always want it to be collaborative and we want to know if you have any of your own tips and tricks. Leave a comment down below!

Much love,

Sidney & Thomas