My no-bake frosted animal cookie cheesecake bars are perfectly pink, easy to make, and always a hit at parties. I used frosted circus animal cookies to make the crust, then topped it with a delightfully sweet and tangy white chocolate cheesecake layer. Made with only 7 ingredients and no oven, this adorable dessert couldn’t be simpler!
Top Reader Review
LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe!!! saved me so much time
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Circus Animal Cracker Cheesecake Bars
My kids love those frosted circus animal cookies even more than the plain crackers, so I thought it would be fun to turn them into a little party dessert. I’ve turned many a cookie into crusts for cheesecake bars and other desserts, so this was my first thought. Making a frosted animal cookie cheesecake crust is so simple with a couple of quick steps.
Next up was the cheesecake layer. Of course I prefer a no bake cheesecake for ease, so I started with cream cheese and added white chocolate for rich flavor. To match the pink circus animal crust, I dyed the cheesecake mixture pink with a little food dye. Finished with sprinkles, this dessert turned out so cute!
+ A Note From Me +
I’ve made this frosted animal cookie cheesecake for so many birthday parties, school events, and weekend celebrations, and it never fails to impress. It’s one of my most reliable party desserts, and it’s a totally stress-free process!
No Bake Frosted Animal Cookie Cheesecake Recipe
Equipment
- 8×8 Baking Pan
- Food Processor (optional)
- Stand Mixer
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- 11 ounces frosted animal cookies (1¼ bags) – plus more for topping!*
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted (1 stick)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
For the Cheesecake:
- 16 ounces cream cheese room temperature (2 bricks)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup white chocolate chips **
- Pink food coloring optional***
- Rainbow sprinkles optional, for topping
Instructions
Make the Crust:
- Prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.
- Using a food processor or large resealable bag, crush the cookies until they are a fine, crumbly powder.11 ounces frosted animal cookies
- Combine cookie crumbs with the melted butter and sugar, until it forms a dough.½ cup unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Press the mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, pushing into every corner and covering the entire bottom of the pan.
- Place the crust in the refrigerator to set while preparing the filling.
Make the Cheesecake:
- In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla together.16 ounces cream cheese, 1 cup powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- While the cream cheese mixture beats, melt the white chocolate chips in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until smooth.1 cup white chocolate chips
- While mixing the cream cheese mixture on low speed, pour in the melted white chocolate chips.
- Add a few drops of pink food coloring, if desired. Continue mixing until the batter is an even pink color.Pink food coloring
Chill and Serve:
- Pour the cheesecake batter over the prepared crust, spreading evenly until it is entirely covered.
- Top with rainbow sprinkles. Then place in the refrigerator until the cheesecake sets, about 2-3 hours.Rainbow sprinkles
- Once set, carefully lift the cheesecake out of the pan, using the parchment paper handles.
- Slice into bars, and serve chilled.
Notes
- I recommend lining the baking pan with parchment paper for easy removal once the cheesecake has set.
- The easiest way to crush the cookies for the crust is in a food processor, but you can also crush them sealed in a plastic bag with a rolling pin.
- Don’t be afraid to really crush the cookies into a fine powder. If they’re still in large pieces, the crust won’t form the way you want it to.
- Candy melts and melted chocolate can begin to set when placed with cold filling, so it is important to quickly stir to combine.
- No bake cheesecake will firm up in the refrigerator, but it will never be quite as firm as a baked cheesecake.
- Top your cheesecake with rainbow sprinkles and crushed-up frosted animal cookies to really take it to the next level!
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
How to Make Circus Animal Cookie Cheesecake Step by Step
Prep: Gather the list of ingredients for this circus animal cracker cheesecake bar recipe. Bring the cream cheese to room temperature for at least 30-60 minutes before beginning. Prepare an 8×8-inch baking pan by lining it with parchment paper, having the ends overlap the pan by about an inch on the sides. Melt the butter by microwaving for 30-60 seconds.
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Crush the Cookies: Using a food processor or a large resealable bag, crush 11 ounces of frosted animal cookies until they turn into a fine powder. Having some larger crumbs mixed in is okay.
Mix the Crust: Next, combine the crushed animal cracker mixture with ½ cup of melted unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, until it becomes dough-like. I’ve done this step in a food processor, and by hand in a bowl. Both are simple!
Set the Crust: Press the cookie mixture into the bottom of the prepared pan, pushing into every corner and covering the entire bottom of the pan. Place the crust in the refrigerator to set while preparing the filling.
Make the Cheesecake Base: While the crust sets, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 16 ounces (2 bricks) of room-temperature cream cheese, 1 cup of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract together.
Melt the Chocolate: Next, melt 1 cup of white chocolate chips in a small, microwave-safe bowl. Melt in 30-second increments, stirring well between, until you get a smooth mixture.
Dye the Cheesecake: While mixing the cream cheese mixture on low speed, pour in the melted white chocolate chips. Then add a few drops of pink food coloring, and mix until well-distributed.
Spread the Cheesecake: Once it is well combined, pour the pink cheesecake batter over the prepared animal cracker crust. Use a rubber spatula to spread it evenly, until the entire crust is covered.
Set and Serve: Decorate with rainbow sprinkles, then place cheesecake in the refrigerator until it is fully set, about 2-3 hours. Then cut it into squares and serve chilled!
How to Store and Freeze
Store leftover frosted animal cookie cheesecake bars in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days, or in the freezer for up to 3 months. Let thaw overnight in the refrigerator before enjoying.
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