Description
This No Bake Frosted Animal Cookie Cheesecake is a delightful and colorful dessert that combines a crunchy frosted animal cookie crust with a creamy, pink-hued cheesecake filling. Perfect for a sweet treat without the need for baking, this cheesecake sets in the refrigerator and can be topped with extra cookies and sprinkles for a whimsical finish.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Crust
- 11 ounces frosted animal cookies
- ½ cup unsalted butter, melted
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
For the Cheesecake Filling
- 16 ounces cream cheese, softened to room temperature
- 1 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup pink candy melts (or white chocolate chips with pink food coloring)
Optional Toppings
- Extra frosted animal cookies
- Rainbow sprinkles
Instructions
- Prepare the Pan: Line an 8 × 8-inch pan with parchment paper, leaving extra paper hanging over the sides to easily lift the cheesecake out once set.
- Crush the Cookies: Use a food processor to pulse the frosted animal cookies until finely crushed. If unavailable, crush cookies in a sealed plastic bag using a rolling pin until fine crumbs form.
- Make the Crust: Combine crushed cookies, melted butter, and granulated sugar in a bowl until evenly coated and crumbly like wet sand. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan creating an even layer. Refrigerate crust while preparing filling.
- Prepare the Cheesecake Filling: Beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth and creamy with no lumps. In a microwave-safe bowl, melt pink candy melts in short intervals, stirring until smooth.
- Combine and Mix: Slowly pour the melted candy melts into the cream cheese mixture while mixing on low speed. Continue until filling is fully combined and evenly colored. If using white chocolate, add pink food coloring gradually to achieve desired shade.
- Assemble the Cheesecake: Pour the cheesecake filling over the chilled cookie crust and spread evenly with a spatula.
- Chill and Set: Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 2–3 hours to set, preferably overnight for best texture and cleaner slices.
- Decorate and Serve: Lift the cheesecake out using the parchment paper, top with extra frosted animal cookies and rainbow sprinkles if desired, cut into squares, and serve chilled.
Notes
- Use room temperature cream cheese for the smoothest filling without lumps.
- If you don’t have pink candy melts, white chocolate chips tinted with pink food coloring work well.
- Chilling overnight yields cleaner slices and a firmer cheesecake texture.
- Store any leftovers covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
- Use parchment paper with overhang for easy removal from the pan.
