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This chilled frosted animal cookie cheesecake is my go-to when I want something fun and sweet without firing up the oven. The bright cookie crust and smooth filling made with melted candy add a playful touch that always brings smiles at get-togethers.
I whipped this up last minute for a gathering and it stole the spotlight every time after. Everyone, kids and grown-ups, loves the fun mix of colors and textures.
What You Need
- Half a cup unsalted butter: melted to glue the cookie crumbs tight. Unsalted helps keep the sweetness in check
- Eleven ounces frosted animal cookies: crushed for a crunchy, sweet base that sticks together. Make sure your cookies are fresh for a firm crust
- One tablespoon sugar: adds a little sweetness to the crust but skip if cookies are already sugary
- One cup pink candy melts: melted to mix into the filling for color and creaminess. Pick good quality ones for the best taste
- One teaspoon real vanilla extract: for extra flavor and warmth
- Pink food coloring: totally optional but can make the pink pop more evenly
- Sixteen ounces cream cheese: room temp to keep the filling smooth and lump-free
- One cup powdered sugar: sweetens the filling and melts into a velvety texture
- Colorful rainbow sprinkles: for the fun festive topping, toss in extra cookies if you want some crunch on top
How To Make It
- Crust First:
- Grab an 8x8 pan and line it with parchment paper, leaving some extra to help you lift the cheesecake out later. Crush the animal cookies finely with a food processor or in a sealed bag with a rolling pin. Mix the crumbs with melted butter and sugar until it’s like a dough that holds together when you press it. Firmly press this mix on the bottom of the pan and pop it in the fridge to get firm while you make the filling.
- Mix The Filling:
- Use a mixer to beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla on medium until smooth with no lumps. Melt the pink candy melts slowly in bursts in the microwave, stirring between to keep it even. Slowly add melted candy to the cream cheese mix while running the mixer on low. For a brighter pink, drop in some pink food coloring and mix until smooth and shiny.
- Put It Together and Chill:
- Spread the pink filling over the chilled crust evenly using a spatula or spoon back. Make sure to cover the edges so you get nice slices later. Loosely cover and refrigerate for at least two hours until the filling feels set. Before serving, toss rainbow sprinkles and extra cookies on top for a festive vibe. Use parchment edges to lift the whole thing out and slice gently with a warm knife for clean pieces.
The creamy filling made with pink candy melts has a light but rich feel. The crunchy animal cookie crust brings back childhood vibes with its sweet and crisp bite. This dish is a quick way to bring those fun memories to any gathering.
Storing Leftovers
Keep leftovers sealed tight in the fridge for up to three days. Add sprinkles right before serving so they stay fresh. Use the parchment paper to lift the cheesecake without ruining it.
Swap Ideas
If you don’t have frosted animal cookies, graham crackers or vanilla wafers work fine for the crust. You can swap cream cheese for a lighter version but avoid softer types or it might not set well. Instead of pink candy melts, white chocolate with a little food color is a good substitute, just melt it gently.
Serving Tips
This dessert rocks on its own but you can also add fresh berries or a drizzle of fruit sauce to cut through the sweetness. For a richer treat, top with whipped cream or a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
This fun no-bake cheesecake brings together bright colors and cool textures that work great for any get-together.
Frequently Asked Cooking Questions
- → How do I get the filling nice and smooth?
Make sure the cream cheese is soft before mixing it with powdered sugar and vanilla. Slowly pour in melted candy melts while mixing on low to keep it smooth.
- → What’s the easiest way to crush animal cookies for the base?
You can pulse them in a food processor until fine. Or put them in a sealed bag and bash with a rolling pin until crumbly.
- → Can I change the filling color?
Definitely, adding a bit of pink food coloring lets you pick your favorite shade without changing the taste.
- → How long should I chill before digging in?
Let it cool in the fridge for 2-3 hours so the filling sets well and you get clean slices.
- → Any tips for cutting neat pieces?
Use a warm knife and wipe it down between cuts. This keeps the edges smooth and stops sticking.
- → Can I use toppings besides sprinkles and cookies?
Sure thing, try chopped nuts or edible glitter to mix up the texture and make it look cool.