Frosted Circus Animal Cheesecake Recipe (No Bake)

Frosted Circus Animal Cheesecake Recipe (No Bake)

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Prep Time: 20

Chill: 3

Total Time: 3 20

Servings: people

Calories: 419kcal

Author: Becky Hardin - Easy Dessert Recipes

Release your inner child and run away to the circus with this easy to make recipe! No bake frosted circus animal cheesecake is the sweet treat everyone will be talking about.

Print Recipe

Equipment

Kitchen Scale (optional)
8x8 Baking Pan
Food Processor (optional)
Stand Mixer

Ingredients

11 ounces circus animal cookies 312 grams (1¼ bags) - plus more for topping!
½ cup unsalted butter 113 grams, melted, (1 stick)
1 tablespoon granulated sugar 13 grams
16 ounces cream cheese 454 grams (2 bricks)
1 cup powdered sugar 113 grams
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract 4 grams
1 cup pink candy melts 170 grams (see note)
Pink food coloring optional
Rainbow sprinkles optional, for topping

Instructions

For the Crust

Prepare an 8x8-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 circus 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

Video

Notes

Candy Melts: 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.
Pink food coloring can still be added to the pink melts mixture if you would like a more vibrant color. I left mine without coloring in the pictures.
Candy melts and melted chocolate can begin to set when placed with cold filling, so it is important to quickly stir to combine.
This can also be made using an 8-inch round springform pan.
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.
For toppings, I always opt for colorful rainbow sprinkles! They remind me of the cookies. However, crushed-up cookies or even whole circus cookies on top of each piece of cheesecake would also be too cute.
Depending on how cold your refrigerator is, your cheesecake might need more time to set. However, as long as you've passed the 3-hour mark, your dessert should be ready to serve!
Nutritional information does not include optional ingredients.

Storage: Store no bake circus cookie cheesecake in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Nutrition