Name: No Bake Circus Animal Cheesecake Recipe
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 4 h 15 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 (9-ounce) bag circus animal cookies; 1/2 cup butter, melted; 1 tablespoon sugar; 2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened; 1/2 cup sour cream; 1 cup sugar; 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Pink food coloring, to desired shade; Rainbow sprinkles; Circus animal cookies, whole for garnish

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Introduction

This No Bake Circus Animal Cheesecake is a fun and colorful dessert that’s perfect for any celebration. With a crunchy circus animal cookie crust and a creamy, pink cheesecake filling, it’s sure to delight both kids and adults alike.

A slice of pink layered cake sits on a white plate over a white marbled surface, showing three clear layers: a bottom layer of crumbly brown crust, a thick middle layer of smooth light pink filling, and a top layer of bright pink frosting sprinkled with colorful round sprinkles. The cake slice is decorated with a small piece of pink candy on the top. Behind the plate is a larger cake of the same type with a missing piece. In the background, a pink and white checkered cloth is visible. Bright lighting highlights the creamy texture of the cake, photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

1 (9-ounce) bag circus animal cookies
1/2 cup butter, melted
1 tablespoon sugar
2 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Pink food coloring
Rainbow sprinkles
Circus animal cookies (for topping)

Instructions

Step 1: Pour the circus animal cookies into a large zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin, or pulse in a food processor until finely crumbed.
Step 2: In a large bowl, combine the crushed cookies, melted butter, and 1 tablespoon of sugar. Stir until the mixture starts to stick together.
Step 3: Grease an 8-inch springform pan and firmly press the crust mixture into the bottom. Place the pan in the freezer to chill for at least 30 minutes.
Step 4: While the crust chills, beat together the softened cream cheese, sour cream, 1 cup sugar, vanilla extract, and pink food coloring until smooth and fully combined.
Step 5: Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly over the chilled crust. Refrigerate the cheesecake for at least 4 hours or overnight to set.
Step 6: When ready to serve, decorate the top with rainbow sprinkles and press one circus animal cookie into each slice.

Tips & Variations

For a firmer crust, chill it longer or briefly bake the crust at 350°F for 8 minutes before adding the filling.
Use gel food coloring for a more vibrant pink without adding extra liquid.
Swap rainbow sprinkles for crushed candy or mini chocolate chips for different textures.
Try mixing a few crushed circus animal cookies into the cheesecake batter for added crunch inside.

Storage

Store the cheesecake covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. For best texture and flavor, bring it to room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid freezing as this can affect the creamy texture and cause the sprinkles to lose color.

How to Serve

The image shows a round pink dessert cut into slices, placed on a white marbled surface. The dessert has three visible layers: a dark brown base crumb layer at the bottom with a rough texture, a thick middle pink creamy layer, and a smooth pink top layer that is covered evenly with colorful small round sprinkles. Each slice is decorated with a piece of pink or white candy placed vertically on top, also sprinkled with tiny colorful dots. The edges of the cut slices show the clean separation between layers. The dessert rests on a white plate lined with a pink and white checkered cloth. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make this cheesecake ahead of time?

Yes, this no bake cheesecake can be made up to a day in advance. Just keep it refrigerated and add the sprinkles and cookies just before serving to keep them fresh and colorful.

What can I substitute for circus animal cookies?

If you can’t find circus animal cookies, graham crackers or digestive biscuits work well as a crust alternative. Just crush them and follow the same steps.