Say hello to the dreamiest Oreo cookie cheesecake. Topped with chopped cookies and chocolate ganache, you won't believe how amazing and creamy it is! It keeps well for several days in the refrigerator and can be frozen for a month. Get ready to make this recipe over and over.
An epic Oreo cheesecake recipe
Oreo and cheesecake are two words that can make a dessert believer out of almost anyone. Is it the cheese or the cake part that is so appealing? Probably both.
You can't go wrong with cheese followed by cake.
I'm rather a purist when it comes to cheesecake, meaning that I don't like to use thickeners (such as cornstarch or flour), am partial to a cookie crust and usually add a touch of sour cream.
It's all in the layers.
As in a layer of cookie crust, a distinct cheesecake layer, and a top layer of chopped Oreo cookies with ganache (chocolate sauce).
I like to have a creamy plain cheesecake layer flanked by the base and topping made with Oreos; that's why I don't mix the filling all together with the chopped cookies - but I carefully sink the cookie pieces on top until they are barely covered with the cheese mixture. As I said before, an epic cheesecake.
You can't go wrong with the cookies and cream combination, whether it's a no-bake Oreo cheesecake, cookies and cream ice cream or even if you try your hand at homemade Oreos.
Why we love it
- Layers: this cheesecake is different from most in that there are distinct oreo and cheesecake layers. Cookie crust, creamy cheese filling, cookie top layer. That way, you get all flavors together but individually too, if that makes any sense. Anyway, it works!
- Bake ahead: as with most cheesecake recipes, it is recommended that it's baked a few days before eating. That means that you can serve a last-minute Oreo cheesecake for dessert with minimal fuss.
- Freezing: it can be frozen for up to a month. Wrap it well in plastic and then in aluminum foil and you have cheesecake any time you want.
- Dessert for a crowd: Oreos are a favorite of most people so this is a perfect dessert. Bake this recipe in a rectangular pan (the cake will not be as tall), and then you can cut it into smaller squares and feed many more guests, similar to what I like to do with the Easy Baked Cheesecake.
Watch the video tutorial 👇🏻
What our readers are saying:
I made it for the dinner we were hosting and it came out SO beautiful. Everyone loved it, and I've made my fair share of cheesecake and this really came at the top. One of our guests even said it was the best cheesecake they've ever had! (Abs)
Amazing recipe; my family said it was the best cheesecake I had ever made! (Melanie)
Deliciously amazing, I would not change anything. The texture is perfect, not too sweet, the directions are clear, ganache great. (Rebekah)
FAQ
With this recipe! You can make the best Oreo cheesecake recipe if you follow the instructions in the recipe card below and watch the videos to guide you. And let me know if you have more questions.
Though recipes are all different, baked cheesecake usually has eggs and it's baked in the oven first before being refrigerated for several hours. No-bake recipes rely more on whipped cream and sometimes gelatin for consistency and structure and use the cold environment of a refrigerator to set.
Yes, you can, especially if you use electric appliances like a stand mixer or food processor, and beat it longer than recommended in the recipe. Mixing it by hand is always my choice and it's easy to do if the ingredients are at room temperature.
Not at all! It will still taste delicious though it might not look its best unless you add a topping. In this recipe for Oreo cheesecake, the chopped cookies added before baking can create a few cracks, as they don't dissolve. Even if this happens (it does to all of us at some point!) the ganache and cookies on top will take care of it.
Ingredient list
- Oreos: the classic Oreo cookies are the best, but you can vary the type of filling the cookies have.
- Cream cheese: the regular type, full-fat cream cheese is needed for consistency and creaminess.
- Sour cream: the regular, full-fat type. It adds a very slight tanginess that complements well all that richness.
- White granulated sugar.
- Unsalted butter.
- Eggs: fresh, large.
- Cream: heavy, whipping, or heavy whipping cream, they all work.
- Vanilla extract.
Quantities are listed on the recipe card towards the end of this post. The Ingredients page has more details and lists the brands we use.
Variations
Any type of Oreo cookie can be used. Our favorites are:
- Chocolate creme Oreos that are filled with chocolate.
- Peanut butter Oreos, because the mix of flavors is amazing in a cheesecake.
- Mint Oreos, especially for the holidays.
- Dark chocolate Oreos for a more sophisticated chocolate flavor.
How to make Oreo cheesecake
This dessert has three parts: the Oreo base, the cheesecake layer with cookies, and the ganache topping.
Cookie crust
It consists of ground Oreos with melted butter. You can pat it with your hands, a spoon, or a measuring cup.
Cookie pieces
For the filling, they need to be cut into pieces, not chopped into tiny bits. This ensures you taste the cookies with each bite.
Adding the Oreos
The chopped cookies are scattered over the cheese mixture in the pan and carefully submerged with a spatula or spoon. They will return to the surface, but they will be covered in the batter.
Baking
It's important that you run a smooth-bladed knife around to unstuck parts before removing the cheesecake.
It's very common for this cheesecake to crack a bit due to the cookie pieces; the topping will take care of that.
Topping
- Chopped cookies: for this part, I like to use finely chopped cookies to add crunch.
- Chocolate ganache: it adds another layer of flavor. Don't overdo it as it may overpower the flavor of the Oreos.
- If making the cheesecake ahead of time, refrigerate it in the pan, then remove and top it not long before serving.
Kitchen Notes
- Organization: read the recipe first and ensure you have ingredients at the correct temperature, utensils and equipment needed, and enough workspace. This will make the process so much easier.
- Baking time: consider that all ovens and pans are different, even if they look similar. The baking time in my recipes is as accurate as possible, but it might take you more or less time. You can use a thermometer(like the OXO oven thermometer) to check that your oven is at the right temperature. I recommend keeping track of how your oven works and what tiny details you might need to adjust.
- Cookies: use regular stuffed Oreos, the original ones. Unless you want a different filling flavor, that is fine. But don't buy the double-stuffed ones.
- Ingredients: all filling ingredients must be at room temperature. This ensures they'll all mix well without overbeating the batter, which is so important and part of how you achieve a creamy consistency.
- Creaminess: besides the ingredients, make sure you bake it in a medium/low oven, turn it off while the cheesecake still jiggles a lot, cool it down, and then leave it for at least 24 hours in the fridge, covered, but without removing it from the pan. I suggest 2 days. I find the texture is superior.
- Freezing: cheesecakes can be frozen, and in my opinion, they are often creamier and softer after a stay in the freezer. There's probably a chemical explanation.
- Topping: I add some chocolate ganache on top to complement the overall flavor. But don't overdo it. I made that mistake the first time I was trying this recipe and it completely overpowered the flavor of both the cheese and the Oreos.
Related recipes you might like:
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Fantastic Creamy Oreo Cheesecake
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Ingredients
For the Oreo cookie crust:
- 3 tablespoons butter, melted
- 1 ½ cups crushed Oreo cookies, about 18-20 regular cookies
For the cheesecake filling:
- 2 pounds cream cheese, at room temperature
- ¼ cup sour cream, at room temperature
- 1 ¼ cups sugar
- 4 large eggs, at room temperature
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 9-10 Oreo cookies, cut into small pieces
For the ganache:
- 2 oz semisweet chocolate
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- Extra crushed Oreos
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 325ºF (165°C).
For the Oreo cookie base:
- Line the bottom of a 9-inch springform pan with aluminum foil, tuck it underneath the pan bottom, assemble the cake pan, then pull up the foil around the sides of the pan. This makes it a snap to unmold.
- Butter or spray (with baking spray) the sides of the pan.
- Melt 3 tablespoons butter. Add 1 and ½ cups ground cookies and mix with a spoon. Or mix directly in the processor if you used it to grind the cookies.
- Put the mixture in the prepared pan and press firmly onto the bottom.
- Bake it for 10 minutes and reserve until the filling is ready, or refrigerate while making the filling (without baking). I like to bake it because it firms up the base. But both ways work. Don't turn off the oven.
For the cheesecake mixture:
- Beat 2 pounds cream cheese in a large bowl until smooth. Add ¼ cup sour cream and mix.
- Gradually add 1 and ¼ cups sugar and beat on medium speed until sugar dissolves.
- Add 4 eggs, one at a time, mixing until just incorporated and scraping down the sides of the bowl after each addition. At this point, I change to a hand beater because I don't want to incorporate extra air into the mixture, so I don't beat it, simply mix it well.
- Add 1 teaspoon vanilla and ¼ cup cream to the cream cheese mixture, stirring to incorporate.
- Pour batter into the prepared pan.
- Cut 10 cookies into small pieces (I use a kitchen knife). You will have some chunks of Oreos and some crumbs.
- Scatter Oreo pieces and crumbs on top of the cheese batter.
- Take a spoon or spatula and lightly push crumbs into the cheese mixture until barely covered. The result will be a distinctive cookie crust, a cheese layer and cookie crumbs on top.
- Bake for 10 minutes, turn the oven down to 300°F (150ºC) and bake for another 60 minutes (at this point the cheesecake should still jiggle quite a lot in the center). We don't use a water bath.
- Turn the oven off and, without opening the door, let the cheesecake inside for 1 hour. Take it out, very carefully run a smooth-bladed knife around the edges (it loosens the cheesecake as it shrinks a little while cooling down, and can prevent some cracks), and cool to room temperature on a wire rack. The chopped cookies on top sink slightly into the batter, and some cracks will naturally (and probably) appear. The topping covers it.
- Refrigerate in the pan for at least 8 hours (1 day makes it creamier in my experience), wrapping it in plastic.
- To remove from pan: unwrap, run a smooth bladed knife around the edges in case it's stuck, open the springform pan and remove, lift foil, and place your palm between the metal pan and the foil. Carefully lift the whole cheesecake, and, holding it in one hand, push the foil down and lift the cake with your other hand.
- Place it carefully on the serving plate, sprinkle crushed Oreo cookies on top of the cheesecake, and drizzle with chocolate ganache (instructions below).
- Refrigerate leftovers covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.
For the ganache:
- Chop 2 oz chocolate and place in a small bowl.
- Bring ¼ cup cream to a boil, pour over chocolate, and stir until very smooth.
- Pour ganache over the cheesecake right before serving (after it has stayed in the fridge for at least 8 hours) and sprinkle crushed Oreos. You can do this with a pitcher (as shown in the video) or by drizzling it with a fork or spoon.
Dorota Seredy says
Hi If I decide to make it in the rectangular pan does the cooking time change since the cake won't be as tall?
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Dorota, yes it will if the total surface is bigger, which usually is with rectangular pans. I haven't done it with the oreo cheesecake, but I do that with my regular baked cheesecake and it's about 2/3 of the regular baking time. But it depends on the size of your pan. Check it regularly and you'll be fine. Hope this hepls.
Derek O'Neill says
Just a quick question to clarify the last step with the ganache, it says "With a spoon or fork pour ganache over cheesecake after before serving, after it has stayed in the fridge for at least 8 hours." I guess I'm confused by the "after before serving" part, is it missing a word (in front of the word 'before') or is the word 'after' incorrect?
Or more simply, when do I put the ganache on, immediately before serving (and obviously after all the baking and refrigeration)?
Thank you!
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Derek! Yes, the ganache goes on after all the baking and refrigeration, just before serving. I re-wrote it to make it more clear; thanks for the heads-up. Have a great week!
Sandra Turcotte says
Am I supposed to leave it in the oven after I turn it off for another whole hour?
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Sandra, that would be ideal so that it keeps on baking with residual heat. You can leave it less time. Baking it at a lower temperature makes for a creamier cheesecake. Hope this helps.
Zoe says
First time I made cheesecake and it’s definitely my go to recipe now! So delicious!!
Paula Montenegro says
So happy to hear that Zoe! Have a great week.
Bayled says
My cheesecake Turned out good, but not great. It doesn’t look quite like Your picture. Plus I think I cooked it a little too long, considering my Oven cooks a little hotter! But question, do you do a water bath?? I didn’t see it in the directions anywhere, and didn’t want to assume since sometimes cheesecakes don’t need it. Maybe it’s common sense but every cheesecake recipe I’ve done includes the water bath in the prep steps. I’ll be doing this again in the near future to perfect it!
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Bayled! I don't use a water bath because I bake it at a lower temperature. You can put a pan with hot water on the oven floor during baking. I'm inclined to say your oven was too hot and together with cooking it longer didn't help. Let me know next time so we can troubleshoot before you bake it if that helps.
Brandi says
Hello,
I have double stuffed Oreos. Would you recommend taking the stuffing out of half of them before putting into the food processor?
Thanks!
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Brandi! I would do that for sure because Oreos are very greasy IMO. But, you might not care. I would recommend blending half of them and checking how you feel about the greasiness (sorry about the word, but I think it's very accurate lol) because remember that you still have to add the butter. Then decide if you take out the filling from the rest or not. I sometimes take out the stuffing from all of the Oreos when making the crust, but then don't know what to do with it lol. Hope this helps.
Holly says
This is my first cheesecake. Turned out beautifully and it got rave reviews! Thank you for a great recipe!
Paula Montenegro says
I'm so glad you liked it Holly!
Sarah says
I made this last night and we are having it for dessert tonight. Mine didn’t seem to jiggle at all. It was pretty firm when I put it in the fridge last night. Should I be worried??
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Sarah, I don't think you should worry. Serve it barely cold for best results.
Sean Sawyer says
About how many Oreos did you use for the bottom of the cheesecake?
Also, when you turn down the temp from 350 to 300, are you supposed to leave the cheesecake in the oven during that time? This will be my first ever cheesecake, so I want to make sure it’s right!
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Sean, it's about 18 regular Oreos for the bottom. The oven is turned down to 300° after 15 minutes (step 10 in the recipe card), and you leave the cheesecake in the oven without opening the door (step 11 in the recipe card). Let me know if you need more help.
Melissa says
My first cheesecake and what a success! I just made this and it turned out great! Followed the recipe (except I used a whole bag of Oreos for the crust because I wanted more crust:) and I baked the crust) and left in the fridge overnight. It was perfect! Definitely making this again!
Paula Montenegro says
SO happy it turned out well Melissa! Especially since it was your first. Have a great week!
Cynthia says
Hi, I just made it and it’s still jiggly and soft to the touch after sitting for an hour in the oven. Is that normal? Will it harden in the fridge? Thanks!
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Cynthia, yes it will. Let it cool to room t°, then wrap without removing from the pan and refrigerate for at least 8 hours. I leave it a day or two. It becomes creamy and wonderful.
Christine d says
My first ever baked cheesecake, and it turned out perfectly. Not difficult at all. I even found oreo crumbles in the store which saved some effort
I will definitely make it again. Thank you!
Coralia Varga says
My friends are visiting us next weekend and I know one of them is obsessed with cheesecake and oreo so what better way to surprise them? I love this recipe, thank you so much. You gave me such a great idea for our meeting.
Sam says
OMG you combined my 2 fav things - oreos and cheesecake --into one dessert... this is amazing! So excited to try it!
GUNJAN C Dudani says
Oh my gosh! Why didn't I find this recipe earlier. Its delicious and mind blowing. I cannot wait to bake them again.
Mikayla says
This is such a great recipe, everything you love about oreos but rich, creamy cheesecake. Yum, we'll definitely make again.
Anna says
We've made this cheesecake couple of days go for my partner's birthday. It is hands down, the best cheesecake I've ever had! It disappeared in minutes, everyone absolutely loved it!
Mama Maggie's Kitchen says
Oh how I love Cheesecake very much! And this Oreo Cheesecake is really a must try! I can't wait to have a full bite.
Chef Dennis says
OMG Paula you have outdone yourself with this cheesecake! This is going on my must make list, I have a bunch of friends that are going to be very happy when I make this cheesecake!
Kaylie says
Do you not use a water bath? Looks amazing!!
Paula Montenegro says
Hi Kaylie, no I don't. I realized that lowering the oven temperature gets me the same result. I don't particularly like water baths unless the cake pan doesn't have a removable bottom, and I don't use those for cheesecakes. You CAN place a pan with hot water in the bottom of the oven when you pop in the cheesecake. It will create a more humid environment while it bakes.
Adriana says
Hi, I just made it! I cannot wait until tomorrow to eat it ...looks yummy