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No Bake Circus Animal Cookie Cheesecake

A whimsical no bake cheesecake featuring circus animal cookies, creamy filling, and a playful ganache, perfect for gatherings or quiet evenings.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Servings: 10 servings
Course: Dessert, Party
Cuisine: American
Calories: 350
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Crust
  • 2.5 cups circus animal cookies, crushed
  • 5 Tbsp melted butter
Filling
  • 16 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature Make sure it's at room temperature for easy mixing.
  • 0.5 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips Melt with heavy cream.
  • 0.25 cup heavy whipping cream For melting with chocolate.
  • 8 ounces Cool Whip, thawed
  • 1 cup circus animal cookies, roughly chopped Adds texture.
Ganache
  • 0.33 cup heavy whipping cream For making the ganache.
  • Pink gel food coloring For tinting the ganache.
  • Rainbow non pareils sprinkles For decoration.

Method
 

Preparation
  1. Lightly spray the bottom of a 9-inch round springform pan. Place a parchment round in the bottom of the pan and spray the bottom and sides again.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the cookie crumbs and melted butter until evenly moistened. Press into the prepared pan to form the crust.
  3. Freeze for 30 minutes or until firm.
Filling
  1. In a stand mixer, cream together the softened cream cheese, granulated sugar, and vanilla for about 2 minutes.
  2. Melt the white chocolate chips with the heavy cream in the microwave for 30 seconds, stirring until smooth.
  3. Fold the melted chocolate mixture into the cream cheese mixture and then gently fold in the chopped circus animal cookies.
  4. Spread the cheesecake mixture evenly into the prepared crust and smooth the top.
  5. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until set.
Ganache and Assembly
  1. Heat the heavy cream in a microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds, then pour over the white chocolate chips and let sit for 2 minutes.
  2. Stir until smooth, tint with pink food coloring, and spread over the set cheesecake.
  3. Sprinkle rainbow non pareils atop the ganache and let set for 30 minutes.
  4. Pipe whipped cream around the edges and top with whole circus animal cookies.
Serving
  1. Cut into generous slices and serve at gatherings, adorned with extra cookies if desired.

Notes

Store leftovers covered in the refrigerator for several days, as flavors deepen over time. Experiment with gel colors in the ganache for themed occasions. Be gentle when folding in the Cool Whip and cookies to maintain texture.