Bring the big top home with my no bake frosted animal cookie cheesecake! I made this cheesecake with a frosted animal cookie crust and a delightfully sweet and tangy white chocolate no bake cheesecake topping. These animal cracker cheesecake bars are super fun (who doesn’t love a pink dessert?!) and flavorful. Plus, they’re super easy to make with only 7 ingredients!
Top Reader Review
LOVE LOVE LOVE this recipe!!! saved me so much time
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Circus Animal Cracker Cheesecake
I recently went to a circus-themed birthday party, and let me tell you, I am obsessed! The big top totally has my heart, and I’m already dreaming of throwing my own circus party. I had a mini epiphany walking down the cookie aisle of the grocery store when I spotted my old favorite circus animal cookies, and I knew it was fate. I brought a few bags home with me and got to work.
Now, if you know me, you know I love a good no bake cheesecake. I also love turning all of my favorite cookies into cheesecake crusts. When I blended up these animal cookies, I was so delighted to find that the resulting mixture was pink! So I dyed my cheesecake filling pink to match, and I couldn’t be more pleased with the results!
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Don’t Rush the Chill!
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 for a minimum of 2-3 hours. I prefer to let mine go overnight whenever possible so that it’s nice and firm.
No Bake Frosted Animal Cookie Cheesecake Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- 8×8 Baking Pan
- Food Processor (optional)
- Stand Mixer
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 room temperature (2 bricks)
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 1 cup pink candy melts **
- Pink food coloring optional
- Rainbow sprinkles optional, for topping
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.11 ounces frosted animal cookies, ½ cup unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
- Stir together with the melted butter and sugar, until the crumble becomes dough-like.
- 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.Pink food coloring
- Once it is well combined, pour over the prepared crust, spreading evenly until the entire bottom crust is covered.
- 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
- 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 Animal Cookie Cheesecake Step-by-Step
Gather your Ingredients: Gather up everything you need to begin. 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.
Crush the Cookies: Using a food processor or a large Ziplock bag, crush 11 ounces of frosted animal cookies until they are a fine powder.
Mix the Crust: Stir the crushed cookies together with ½ cup of melted unsalted butter and 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar until the crumble becomes dough-like. I did this in the food processor, but you can also do it by hand in a bowl.
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 room-temperature 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, in 30-second increments, stirring well between.
Color the Batter: 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.
Spread the Cheesecake: Once it is well combined, pour the cheesecake batter 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.
How to Store and Freeze
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.
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