Ingredients for Crust
1 cup chocolate wafer cookie crumbs
2-1/2 ounces roasted unsalted peanuts, - coarsely chopped
1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
2 tablespoons brown sugar - firmly packed
1 pinch salt

Ingredients for Filling
24 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
1-1/2 cups brown sugar - firmly packed
1/2 cup creamy peanut butter - do not use fresh
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 large eggs
1/4 cup whipping cream
10 ounces Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups - cut into 3/4-inch pieces

Ingredients for Topping
2 cups sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Crust
Position rack in center of oven and preheat to 350 F.

Butter 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2-3/4-inch-high sides.

Mix chocolate cookie crumbs, chopped peanuts, melted butter, brown sugar, and a pinch of salt in bowl until well combined.

Press mixture evenly onto bottom and 1/2-inch up sides of pan.

Bake until crust is set, about 8 minutes.

Cool in pan on rack.

Reduce oven temperature to 325 degrees F.

Filling
Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and brown sugar in large bowl until smooth.

Add peanut butter and vanilla extract, and beat just until blended.

Add eggs 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.

Add whipping cream and beat until smooth.

Stir in peanut butter cup pieces.

Pour filling into crust.

Bake until sides of cake are set but center still moves slightly, about 55 minutes.

Cool cake in pan on rack 10 minutes.

Topping
Blend sour cream, sugar, and vanilla extract in medium bowl.

Carefully spoon topping over cheesecake.

Return cheesecake to oven, and bake 5 minutes.

Cool cheesecake in pan on rack.

Run small sharp knife around edge of cheesecake to loosen.

Cover and refrigerate overnight.

Can be prepared 3 days ahead. Keep refrigerated.

Release pan sides.

Let stand 20 minutes at room temperature before serving.

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