Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake

1 . Stage

Preheat oven to 350°. Grease an 8” springform pan with cooking spray. 

2 . Stage

Make cake: In a large bowl, prepare cake mix according to package instructions. Pour about half the cake mix into springform pan. Bake until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 25 minutes. Let cool. 

3 . Stage

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and peanut butter until light and fluffy. Add brown sugar and beat until evenly combined. Add eggs one at a time, beating well between each addition, then stir in vanilla and salt.  

4 . Stage

Pour mixture over cake in springform pan and bake until cheesecake is only slightly jiggly in center, about 40 minutes (Cheesecakes tend to crack if you don't use a water bath. If you don't want to use one, bake as directed. If you do want to use a water bath, double wrap the outside of the pan in aluminum foil and place in a baking dish. Place on oven rack and pour in enough boiling water to reach halfway up the pan. Bake as directed.) 

5 . Stage

Let cheesecake cool to room temperature then refrigerate until firm, about 4 hours.  

6 . Stage

Make ganache: Add chocolate chips to a large heatproof bowl. In a small saucepan over medium heat, bring heavy cream to a simmer. Remove from heat and pour over chocolate chips. Let sit two minutes, then whisk until smooth. Let cool to almost room temperature (you still want to be able to pour it!) 

7 . Stage

Remove cheesecake from pan and pour ganache on top. Garnish with chopped Reese’s.