This Snickers Cheesecake Cake is totally rich and decadent! Made with chocolate cake layers, peanut butter frosting, caramel sauce and chopped peanuts.
Caramel: Peel label off can of sweetened condensed milk. Place in a large pot of water (can must be covered – at least 1” of water above the can) and bring to a boil. Boil for 3 hours, topping up the water if needed to keep the can covered.
Cool to room temperature and store in the fridge or the cupboard until needed.
Cheesecake: Line two 9” springform pans with parchment paper (I like to cut a circle to fit), spray the inside of the pan and parchment with non-stick spray and wrap tin foil around the outside to catch any possible leaks. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, add cream cheese and beat until smooth.
Add sugar, eggs, vanilla and peanut butter and beat until smooth. Divide evenly between the two pans.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until the center is set, though it might have a slight jiggle to it. Let come to room temperature before removing from the pan. Wrap in plastic wrap and freeze until ready to use. (*Note: the cheesecake is light and mousse-like, even when baked. I like to wrap in plastic wrap and put it back on the bottom of the springform pan to freeze so that it freezes in a flat layer)
Cake: Line two springform pans with parchment. Spray parchment and pan with non stick spray and wrap outside with tin foil. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a large bowl, combine sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt with a whisk.
Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil and vanilla and whisk until totally smooth (batter will be thin).
Divide evenly between the two pans and bake for 25-30 minutes until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean or with moist crumbs (not batter).
Set aside to cool to room temperature. Remove from the pan, wrap in plastic wrap and freeze until ready to assemble.
Frosting: *I recommend making the frosting right before assembling, because it will be easiest to spread before refrigerating.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat butter until smooth. Add peanut butter, powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until smooth, scraping down the sides of the mixer if necessary. Add in milk or cream, one tablespoon at a time and beating after each addition, until you reach the desired consistency. Frosting can be left on the counter at room temperature for several hours before frosting cake if need be.
Assembly: *Prepare ganache after cake is assembled.
Place one cake layer on your cake plate. Spread with a very thin layer of frosting, ⅓ of the caramel and ⅓ of the peanuts.
Place one cheesecake layer on top of the peanuts. Spread with a very thin layer of frosting, ⅓ of the caramel and ⅓ of the peanuts.
Place the second cake layer on top of the peanuts. Spread with a very thin layer of frosting, remaining caramel and peanuts.
Place second cheesecake layer on top. Freeze for 2-3 hours before frosting.
Frost cake with remaining peanut butter frosting.
Ganache: In a small pot over low heat, melt together the chocolate and milk or cream, stirring constantly, until melted.
Remove from the heat and set aside for 5 minutes before pouring evenly over the cake.
Top with chopped snickers bars and additional peanuts if desired.
Store in the fridge up to 4 days or freeze for up to a month.