Circus Animal Cookie Lush (Printable version)
A no-bake layered dessert with creamy pudding, whipped cream, and frosted circus animal cookies.
# What you need:
→ Cookie Base
01 - 14 oz circus animal cookies, plus extra for garnish
02 - 3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted
→ Cream Cheese Layer
03 - 8 oz cream cheese, softened to room temperature
04 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
05 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
06 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
→ Pudding Layer
07 - 1 package (3.6 oz) instant vanilla pudding mix
08 - 1 3/4 cups cold whole milk
09 - 1/2 cup whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
→ Topping
10 - 1/2 cup whipped topping (such as Cool Whip), thawed
11 - Rainbow sprinkles, for decoration (optional)
12 - Reserved circus animal cookies, for decoration
# How To:
01 - Finely crush circus animal cookies in a food processor or place them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin. Combine cookie crumbs with melted butter and mix until evenly coated. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish to form a uniform crust. Refrigerate while preparing the next layer.
02 - Beat cream cheese in a mixing bowl until smooth and free of lumps. Add powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated. In a separate bowl, whip cold heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until no streaks remain. Spread evenly over the chilled cookie crust.
03 - Whisk together instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk in a clean bowl until thickened, approximately 2 minutes. Fold in whipped topping until smooth and creamy. Spread pudding mixture evenly over the cream cheese layer.
04 - Spread remaining whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer. Decorate with reserved circus animal cookies and rainbow sprinkles as desired.
05 - Cover the dish tightly and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight to allow all layers to set properly before slicing and serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- No oven required, which means you can make this even when your kitchen feels like a sauna in summer.
- The layers look impressive but the whole thing comes together in about twenty minutes of actual work.
- Every single person who tries it asks for the recipe within five minutes.
02 -
- Do not skip the chilling time because cutting into it too early means the layers slide apart and you end up with a delicious but very ugly mess.
- Softening the cream cheese fully before mixing is non negotiable because cold cream cheese leaves stubborn lumps that no amount of beating can fix.
03 -
- Crushing a few extra cookies and sprinkling the crumbs between layers adds a satisfying crunch that surprises people in the best way.
- Dipping your knife in hot water and wiping it dry between every single slice is the secret to getting those clean beautiful layers you see in photos.