Dive into the whimsical world of nostalgia with the No-Bake Circus Animal Cookie Cheesecake! This creamy, colorful dessert combines the fun of circus animal cookies with the indulgence of cheesecake, all without the need to turn on your oven. Featuring a vibrant pink ganache and adorned with festive sprinkles, this cheesecake is a perfect treat for any celebration or as a sweet end to a family meal.
Ingredients
For the Crust:
- Circus Animal Cookies: 2 ½ cups, finely crushed
- Melted Butter: 5 tablespoons
For the Cheesecake:
- Cream Cheese, Room Temperature: 16 ounces
- Granulated Sugar: ½ cup
- Vanilla Extract: 2 teaspoons
- White Chocolate Chips: 1 cup
- Heavy Whipping Cream: ¼ cup
- Cool Whip, Thawed: 8 ounces
- Circus Animal Cookies, Roughly Chopped: 1 cup
For the Ganache:
- White Chocolate Chips: 1 cup
- Heavy Whipping Cream: ⅓ cup
- Pink Gel Food Coloring
- Rainbow Nonpareils Sprinkles
Directions
- Prepare the Crust:
- Combine crushed cookies and melted butter. Press into the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan. Freeze for 30 minutes.
- Make the Cheesecake Filling:
- In a mixer, cream together cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until fluffy.
- Melt white chocolate chips with heavy cream until smooth. Beat into the cream cheese mixture.
- Fold in Cool Whip and chopped cookies.
- Spread evenly over the crust. Refrigerate for 4 hours, or until firm.
- Prepare the Ganache:
- Heat heavy cream and pour over white chocolate chips. Let sit for 2 minutes, then stir until smooth. Tint with pink food coloring.
- Pour over the set cheesecake. Sprinkle with rainbow nonpareils. Let set for 30 minutes.
- Final Touches:
- Pipe whipped cream around the edges and garnish with whole animal cookies.
Tips
- Ingredient Temperature: Ensure all ingredients are at room temperature to achieve a smooth texture.
- Firmness: For a firmer cheesecake, keep it refrigerated overnight.
- Whipped Cream: If using homemade whipped cream instead of Cool Whip, stabilize with gelatin to maintain texture.
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 4 hours 30 minutes
Yield: Serves 12
Category: Dessert
Method: No-bake
Cuisine: American
Conclusion
This No-Bake Circus Animal Cookie Cheesecake not only brings back the joyful flavors of childhood but also adds a touch of sophistication to any dessert table. Its easy preparation and stunning appearance make it an ideal choice for busy hosts looking to impress. Indulge in this creamy, dreamy creation and let every bite take you back to those carefree, festive days!