Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars With a Dash of Love

Maybe it was the Jewish New Year, or maybe it’s just been my lucky 10 days but I’ve been having a banner gluten-free dinner party time the last few weeks. I know! Outside of my own home. It’s amaze-balls! As my considerate cooker friend Rebecca would say.

First of all, I went to a big ol’ pot luck dinner party where not one, but two, people changed up recipes to make it g-free. Who does that? Awesome people, that’s who. So instead of bringing my own dish and sticking to the crudite I was able to chow down on gluten-free brisket and cake. Brisket and cake, you guys.

But that’s not all! Later in the week I enjoyed a super fun night chasing my toddler around someone else’s house and grabbing bites of gluten-free pizza in between ~~scolding~~ re-directing. I just met this lovely family, and already they provide gluten-free food for the sad Celiac at the party. Instead of just drowning my wheat-free sorrows in wine, I was able to have actual food.

And if you haven’t been able to take your eyes off of that hot lady with her cheesecake brownie bits up there, that’s Susan who made gluten-free chocolate peanut butter cheesecake bars and brought them to a party where I would be one of many in attendance. What the? Seriously, I’m beyond lucky to have such kind, thoughtful people around me who also happen to show up places with delicious food. I had two of these chewy yummy bars and I tried to see if I could sneak the rest out when she wasn’t looking.

It blows me away that people are so generous with their time and energy that they would make something gluten-free for a dinner party where I’m the only nutter in attendance who requires such consideration. So to all my gluten-eating friends out there, who go out of their way to find a restaurant, or gluten-free flour, or make something from scratch that’s unbelievably decadent (like these bars) but still g-free: You are the mother scratchin’ bomb(s). You should know I’m in awe of your coolness and realize I’m pretty much the luckiest girl in the whole g-free universe.

You’re lucky too because Susan sent me the recipe she adapted from the Naked Chef himself. Enjoy!

Gluten-Free Chocolate Peanut Butter Cheesecake Bars

adapted from Jamie Oliver

Ingredients

Crust:

1 18.5 oz package gluten-free chocolate cake mix
1 egg
1/2 cup butter, melted

Filling:
8 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup peanut butter
2 eggs
1 box (1 lb) powdered sugar
1/2 cup butter, melted
1/2 cup mini chocolate chips

1. Using an electric mixer, mix the cake mix, egg and melted butter until a thick dough forms. Press into an even layer in the bottom of a 13X9 glass dish.

2. Meanwhile, using the mixer, cream together cream cheese and peanut butter until smooth. Add eggs and beat well. Dump in the box of powdered sugar and mix until thoroughly combined. Reduce the speed of the mixer and drizzle in butter. Scrape down the sides of the bowl and make sure everything is mixed together before spreading this mixture over the crust.

3. Spread into an even layer and sprinkle with mini chocolate chips. Bake 50 to 55 minutes at 350 degrees. The center should still be a tiny bit wobbly looking, with a light golden brown top.

4. Cool completely, cut into bars. These bars are rich, so cut them into very small bars.