Peanut Butter Cheesecake

1 . Stage

Preheat the oven to 275 degrees F (135 degrees C). Line the bottom of a 10-inch springform pan with parchment paper. Wrap the outside bottom of the pan with aluminum foil; this will prevent water from seeping in during baking.

2 . Stage

Prepare crust: Grind cookie thins in a food processor into a fine texture. Pour melted butter in slowly and pulse until combined. Press crumb mixture into the bottom and halfway up the sides of the prepared pan.

3 . Stage

Prepare filling: Beat cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well and scraping the sides of the bowl after each addition. Beat in brown sugar, peanut butter, whipping cream, and vanilla extract until smooth, scraping the sides as needed.

4 . Stage

Pour 1/2 of the filling into the prepared pan and smooth it out with a spatula. Add mini peanut butter cups in an even layer on top, then pour remaining filling over, smoothing with a spatula. Place pan in a large baking pan and fill with 1 inch hot water.

5 . Stage

Set baking pan in the middle of the preheated oven and bake until edges are puffed and surface of cheesecake is firm except for a small spot in the center that will jiggle when the pan is gently shaken, about 1 1/2 hours. Run the tip of a table knife around the edges of the pan, set the pan on a wire rack, and allow the cheesecake to cool at room temperature, about 1 hour.

6 . Stage

While the cheesecake is cooling, prepare ganache: Place chocolate chips in a bowl. Heat whipping cream in a small saucepan until simmering, then pour over chocolate chips. Mix until chocolate has melted and mixture is smooth. Spread ganache on top of the cheesecake.

7 . Stage

Place in the refrigerator to chill for at least 2 hours before serving.