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This month's Progressive Eats event is being hosted by Heather from the blog All Roads Lead to the Kitchen and Heather has chosen for her theme to have a Pretzel Party. Now...I have no say in what one of our team members picks but this one had me flummoxed for a bit. I'm just not a big pretzel fan. If you see someone hunched over that bowl of Chex Mix picking out the pretzels...that would be me! I might enjoy the perfectly baked version from the mall (and I'm betting some of our contributors) but the normal crunchy pretzel? Not so much. Still with a bit of an observation and a twisting of my own arm I think I did the pretzel proud with this Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake with Pretzel Crust.
When I finally had a moment of clarity I realized that pretzels appealed to me more when they are combined with sweet elements. I LOVE these Bacon Wrapped Pretzel Rods with Brown Sugar and Cayenne Pepper. I wanted to hide my updated version of The Strawberry Pretzel Salad when I made it, it was that good. So it seems I do like pretzels OK when combined in a sweet treat so it was just a matter of figuring out what to combine them with.
In short order I decided to make this Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake with Pretzel Crust. I suppose I could have called this a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup Cheesecake except for the pretzels so it's not got a namesake; it's just a really nice, rich cheesecake with a decadent ganache topping all surrounded by the slightly salty and crunchy pretzel crust and the whole thing is garnished with some peanuts and pretzels. Sort of a 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame' cheesecake; so perfect for summer! If you're thinking YUM...you would be right.
I've never got a lot to say in my blog posts; I really just want to share a great dish with you but tonight I'm exiting even sooner. I was a bit too social this past weekend and I plan to do that more often and then tonight? After I had 95% of my post completed I lost power for a second and everything disappeared. It's 9:25pm and I'm done and done in and beyond that? My poor cat is literally crying for me to come into my bedroom...that boy is used to curling up by me and getting some attention and I'm not there yet...uh oh! So please just trust me on this. Very Good Cheesecake. Really VERY Good. :)
Serves 12 slices
30 minPrep Time
2 hrCook Time
2 hr, 30 Total Time
Save Recipe
Ingredients
- !For the crust:
- 2 cups (about 7 ounces) crushed pretzels
- 3/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup packed light brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 24 ounces (3 - 8oz packages) cream cheese, softened
- 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 3/4 cup sour cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 3 large eggs
- 1 1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
- 2/3 cup heavy or whipping cream
- 4 ounces dark chocolate
- 4 ounces milk chocolate
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped pretzels
- 1/4 cup coarsely chopped peanuts
Instructions
Notes
http://www.creative-culinary.com/chocolate-peanut-butter-cheesecake-pretzel-crust/Lots of great Pretzel Party foods...hope you find the perfect one for you!
Pretzel Party!
Pretzels as an Ingredient
Pretzels from Scratch
Welcome to Progressive Eats, our virtual version of a Progressive Dinner Party. This month we're having a Pretzel Party hosted by Heather Schmitt-Gonzalez, who blogs at All Roads Lead to the Kitchen. Since today is National Pretzel Day, we thought it was the perfect chance to feature all sorts of fabulous homemade pretzel recipes, recipes that feature pretzels (both soft and hard), and pretzels dips/condiments. We have a varied and delicious menu for today that we hope you'll enjoy!
If you're unfamiliar with the concept, a progressive dinner involves going from house to house, enjoying a different course at each location. With Progressive Eats, a theme is chosen each month, members share recipes suitable for a delicious meal or party, and you can hop from blog to blog to check them out.
We have a core group of 12 bloggers, but we will always need substitutes and if there is enough interest would consider additional groups. To see our upcoming themes and how you can participate, please check out the schedule at Creative Culinary or contact Barb for more information.
