Peanut Butter Cheesecake

Peanut Butter Cheesecake-Madeline Escolas in Columbus, Ohio(1st Prize, National Peanut Butter Festival Recipe Contest)

Crust:

1 1/4 cup graham cracker crumbs

1/4 cup sugar

1/2 stick butter

Peanut Butter Mixture:

1/2 cup peanut butter

2/3 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup brown sugar

Cheese Filling:

2 8-oz. packages of cream cheese

1 cup sugar

2 tablespoons lemon juice

2 teaspoons vanilla

2 large eggs

Crust: Mix graham cracker crumbs with sugar, add melted butter and press into 9-inch glass pie pan. Bake at 325° for 8 minutes.

Peanut butter mixture: Using a fork, cut in powdered sugar with peanut butter until balls form. Cut in brown sugar. Pour over crust. Save 2 tablespoons for garnish.

Cheese filling: Mix softened cream cheese with sugar, lemon juice, vanilla and eggs. Beat 5 minutes. Pour over peanut butter mixture and garnish with remaining peanut butter mixture. Bake at 350° until done (approximately 35 minutes). Cool 3 hours.