Peanut Butter Ice Box Cake

Ingredients

* 4 sleeves of graham crackers

* 1 bottle of hot fudge sauce (we used Smuckers, but any brand should work), heated in the microwave according the the bottle directions

* 1 cup whipping cream

* 10 oz of cream cheese (regular or Neufchatel) 

* 1/4 cup peanut butter

* 1/4 cup powdered sugar

* 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

* Reese's cups (full size or miniature), chopped, about 1/2 - 1 cup (optional)

* 1 cup graham cracker crumbs

* 2 tbsp melted butter

* 2 tbsp sugar

* 1 container of Cool Whip

Directions

1. Lay graham crackers to cover the bottom a 9x13 pan (we used a Pyrex).  Cut the graham crackers so you can cover the bottom as much as possible.

2. Pour half the bottle of fudge on the graham crackers, doing your best to smooth it all over the crackers.  (I used a small offset spatula to help with this). Set aside.

3. Using a mixer (stand or hand), whip the whipping cream until stiff peaks form.  Set aside.

4. In a separate bowl, beat the cream cheese for 2 -3 minutes on medium high speed until light and fluffy.  Add in the peanut butter and beat until combined.  Add in powdered sugar and vanilla and beat until well combined.  Add in the chopped candies and beat one last time.

5. Fold the whipped cream into the peanut butter cream cheese mix. 

6. Spread half the peanut butter whipped cream mixture on top of the fudge layer.  

7. Reheat the fudge.  Lay graham crackers all over the cream layer to cover as much as possible. Pour the remaining fudge on the graham crackers and spread again.  Set it aside to cool for 3-4 minutes.

8. Spread the remaining whipped cream mixture on the fudge, then a final layer of graham crackers.

9. Combine the butter, graham cracker crumbs and sugar in a small bowl until it is a sand like consistency.

10.  Spread the container of Cool Whip on the top layer of graham crackers.  Sprinkle the graham cracker crumbs on the top.  Refrigerate for 6-8 hours.

11. Serve and enjoy!  Keep leftovers in the fridge.

Notes

Owen LOVES peanuts and peanut butter.  For his birthday this year he sent me a link to a peanut butter ice box cake.  We altered it a little and the final dessert was a huge hit!  It made a 9 x 13 pan and we would have definitely shared it with some friends and family, but given the circumstances we had to eat it ourselves over 4 nights.  Must say that the kids did not complain about that! The picture above doesn't do it justice; it was much better looking in person. We can assure you, if you like peanut butter you will like this dessert!  Liam thinks he wants to have it in January for his birthday!