Bring the big top home with this no bake frosted animal cookie cheesecake! I made this cheesecake with a crushed frosted animal cookie crust and a delightful pink white chocolate no bake cheesecake topping. These cheesecake bars are super fun and flavorful. Plus, they’re super easy to make!
With just 7 ingredients, this no bake frosted animal cookie cheesecake is super simple to make. I used basic ingredients to create a flavorful cheesecake that’s sure to impress. I made this for a circus-themed birthday party and everyone loved it!
What’s in This Frosted Animal Cookie Cheesecake Recipe?
- Frosted Animal Cookies: These delicious frosting-coated shortbread cookies make the perfect colorful crust! I have tested this recipe with both Mother’s brand and Stauffer’s, and either one will work.
- Butter: Unsalted butter helps bind the cookies together for the crust.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar sweetens the crust, while powdered sugar sweetens and thickens the cheesecake.
- Cream Cheese: Forms the base of this creamy, tangy cheesecake filling.
- Vanilla Extract: Adds a rich vanilla flavor to the cheesecake.
- Pink Candy Melts: Adds a vanilla flavor and rich pink color.
- Pink Food Coloring: Enhances the pink color of the cheesecake. This is totally optional and up to your personal preference!
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How to Store
Store leftover frosted animal cookie cheesecake 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.
Tips for Success
- 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.
- If pink candy melts are unavailable, white chocolate chips can be substituted. Once they are melted, quickly stir into the cream cheese mixture. Pink food coloring can be added to make the filling pink, or it can be left white, over the pink crust.
- Candy melts and melted chocolate can begin to set when placed with cold filling, so it is important to quickly stir to combine.
- With no bake cheesecakes, it is important not to rush the chilling process, as that is what sets the cheesecake. Be sure to chill the cheesecake in the refrigerator after a minimum of 4 hours (overnight preferred).
- 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!
Top Reader Review
- “LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe!!! saved me so much time” -Melissa H.
No Bake Frosted Animal Cookie Cheesecake Recipe
Ingredients
- 11 ounces frosted animal cookies (1¼ bags) – plus more for topping!
- ½ cup unsalted butter melted (1 stick)
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- 16 ounces cream cheese (2 bricks)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup pink candy melts (see note)
- Pink food coloring optional
- Rainbow sprinkles optional, for topping
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 8×8 Baking Pan
- Food Processor (optional)
- Stand Mixer
Instructions
For the Crust
- 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. (This will allow for easy lifting and removal of the cheesecake once it sets)
- Using a food processor or large Ziplock bag, crush the cookies until they are a fine powder. Stir together with the melted butter and sugar, until the crumble becomes dough-like.11 ounces frosted animal cookies, 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.
For the Filling
- While the crust sets, 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 pink chocolates in a small, microwave-safe bowl.1 cup pink candy melts
- While mixing the cream cheese mixture on slow speed, pour in the melted pink candies or white chocolate chips. Add pink food coloring, if desired. Once it is well combined, pour over the prepared crust, spreading evenly until the entire bottom crust is covered.Pink food coloring
- Place in the refrigerator until the cheesecake sets, about 2-3 hours. Top with rainbow sprinkles and circus cookies, if desired. Cut and serve.Rainbow sprinkles
Notes
- Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.
How to Make Frosted Animal Cookie Cheesecake Step-by-Step
Mix the Crust: 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. Using a food processor or large Ziplock bag, crush 11 ounces of frosted animal cookies until they are a fine powder. Stir together with ½ cup of melted unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar, until the crumble becomes dough-like.
Set the Crust: 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.
Beat the Cheesecake: While the crust sets, in the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat 16 ounces (2 bricks) of cream cheese, 1 cup of powdered sugar, and 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract together.
Spread the Cheesecake: While the cream cheese mixture beats, melt 1 cup of pink candy melts in a small, microwave-safe bowl. While mixing the cream cheese mixture on slow speed, pour in the melted pink candies or white chocolate chips. Add pink food coloring, if desired. Once it is well combined, pour over the prepared crust, spreading evenly until the entire bottom crust is covered.
Set the Cheesecake: Place in the refrigerator until the cheesecake sets, about 2-3 hours. Top with rainbow sprinkles and circus cookies, if desired. Cut and serve.
LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe!!! saved me so much time
We’re so happy to hear that, Melissa!