Oreo Cheesecake
I first made this Oreo cheesecake for a birthday, and it disappeared so fast I barely got a slice. It’s a lush, crowd-pleasing dessert: a crisp crushed-Oreo crust, tangy-smooth cream cheese filling studded with Oreo chunks, and a glossy chocolate ganache finish. Make it for potlucks, holidays, or any time you want an indulgent, impressive dessert without intimidating techniques. If you like Oreo-based treats, you might also enjoy this riff on bars like 4-ingredient Oreo caramel crunch bars that use the same beloved cookie in a different format.
Why you’ll love this dish
This Oreo cheesecake hits familiar comfort-note flavors while feeling a little elevated. It’s rich but not cloying thanks to sour cream and a touch of heavy cream, and the chopped Oreos inside give satisfying texture and cookie bursts in every bite. It’s also:
- Kid-approved yet sophisticated enough for dinner guests.
- Make-ahead friendly—best when chilled overnight.
- Cost-effective: a little cream cheese and a sleeve of Oreos go a long way.
“Creamy, cookie-packed, and reliably crowd-pleasing — the ganache finish makes it feel special.” — a frequent taste-tester
If you want alternate cheesecake ideas with fruit or spiced bases, try this creamy apple butter cheesecake for a seasonal twist.
Step-by-step overview
Quick roadmap before you bake:
- Crush Oreos and press with melted butter into a springform for the crust.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla until completely smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, then stir in sour cream and heavy cream for silkiness.
- Fold in chopped Oreos, pour into the crust, and bake until the center is just set.
- Cool slowly, chill thoroughly, and finish with chocolate ganache.
This overview prepares you to move through mise en place and helps avoid overmixing the batter.
What you’ll need
Key ingredients
- 24 Oreo cookies, crushed (reserve a few to chop for folding)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 16 oz (450 g) cream cheese, softened
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs
- 1 cup sour cream
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chocolate ganache (for topping) — homemade or store-bought
Notes and substitutions:
- For a slightly lighter tang, swap half the sour cream for Greek yogurt.
- Use regular Oreos or Double Stuf depending on how much cookie filling you want in the crust.
- To make your own ganache: gently heat 1/2 cup heavy cream and pour over 1 cup chopped chocolate; stir until smooth.
How to prepare it
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Make the crust: combine crushed Oreos and melted butter in a bowl. Press firmly into the bottom (and a little up the sides, if you like) of a 9-inch springform pan. Chill for 10 minutes to set.
- Beat the filling: in a large bowl, beat the softened cream cheese with sugar and vanilla until completely smooth and free of lumps. Use medium speed and scrape the bowl.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until each egg is incorporated—overbeating traps air and can cause cracks.
- Stir in sour cream and heavy cream until blended and silky. Stop mixing as soon as it’s uniform.
- Fold in roughly chopped Oreos with a spatula to distribute them without deflating the batter.
- Pour the batter over the prepared crust and smooth the top. Tap the pan gently to release large air bubbles.
- Bake for about 55–60 minutes. The edges should be set; the center will still have a slight jiggle. A thermometer in the center should read ~150–155°F (65–68°C).
- Cool on a wire rack to room temperature (about 1 hour). Then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight, to fully set.
- Before serving, spread or drizzle the chocolate ganache over the chilled cheesecake.
What to serve it with
Pairings and plating ideas:
- Slice with a hot, sharp knife (dip in hot water, wipe dry) for clean edges.
- Top slices with extra crushed Oreos, whipped cream, or fresh berries for contrast.
- Serve alongside coffee, espresso, or a rich stout for a decadent pairing.
- For a festive plate, add a salted caramel drizzle or a scattering of toasted nuts.
For a fruity, fall-focused plate idea that complements cheesecake, look at the presentation on this apple cheesecake crumb pie recipe for plating inspiration apple cheesecake crumb pie.
Storage and reheating tips
Keeping leftovers fresh:
- Refrigerate: store whole cheesecake or slices in an airtight container for up to 4–5 days.
- Freeze: wrap tightly in plastic wrap and foil (or freeze in an airtight container) for up to 2 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Reheating: cheesecake is best served cold; if you prefer a slightly softer texture, let a chilled slice sit at room temperature for 15–20 minutes before serving. Do not microwave whole cheesecake—microwaving can change texture and melt the ganache unevenly.
Food safety: keep cheesecake refrigerated; do not leave out more than 2 hours at room temperature.
Pro chef tips
- Soften cream cheese to room temperature for a lump-free batter. Short on time? Cut blocks into cubes to warm quickly.
- Mix on medium speed and scrape the bowl often. Overmixing incorporates air that makes the cake rise and crack.
- For an ultra-silky texture, strain the batter through a fine-mesh sieve (optional).
- Prevent cracks: bake at a steady 325°F and avoid drastic oven door openings. A water bath helps maintain even heat if you’re nervous about cracking.
- Chill thoroughly: overnight refrigeration improves texture and makes slicing easier.
Flavor swaps
Creative variations to try:
- Mint Oreo Cheesecake: use mint Oreos and add 1/2 tsp peppermint extract.
- Peanut butter twist: swirl 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter into the top before baking.
- No-bake variant: make a no-bake filling with whipped cream and gelatin for a lighter, fridge-set Oreo cheesecake.
- Gluten-free: use gluten-free sandwich cookies for crust and mix-ins.
- Mini cheesecakes: bake in a muffin tin lined with cupcake liners for individual servings.
Common questions
Q: Can I use regular sandwich cookies instead of Oreos?
A: Yes. Any chocolate sandwich cookie works. Different brands change sweetness and filling amount, so taste and adjust extras (like sugar) as needed.
Q: Why did my cheesecake crack, and how do I avoid it?
A: Cracks usually come from overmixing or rapid temperature changes. Mix gently, bake at a moderate temperature, cool slowly with the oven door propped if needed, and chill thoroughly.
Q: How long does it need to chill before serving?
A: At least 4 hours, but overnight is best. Chilling lets the texture firm up and flavors meld.
Q: Can I make this ahead for a party?
A: Absolutely—make it up to 48 hours ahead. Keep it covered in the refrigerator; add ganache and final garnishes just before serving.
Q: Is it safe to freeze and refreeze slices?
A: Freezing once is fine. Avoid refreezing thawed slices to maintain texture and food safety.
Conclusion
If you want another tested take on Oreo cheesecake with slightly different proportions and technique, this detailed version from Oreo Cheesecake – Sugar Spun Run is a helpful comparison. For an alternate approach and extra tips, see The BEST Oreo Cheesecake Recipe! – Little Spoon Farm.
Oreo Cheesecake
Ingredients
Crust
- 24 cookies Oreo cookies, crushed Reserve a few to chop for folding
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
Filling
- 16 oz cream cheese, softened Soften to room temperature for smooth batter
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs Add one at a time to avoid overmixing
- 1 cup sour cream Can substitute half with Greek yogurt for a lighter taste
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 1 cup chocolate ganache (for topping) Use homemade or store-bought
Instructions
Preparation
- Preheat the oven to 325°F (163°C).
- Make the crust by combining crushed Oreos and melted butter in a bowl. Press firmly into the bottom and slightly up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Chill for 10 minutes.
- Beat cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla in a large bowl until completely smooth.
- Add eggs one at a time, mixing just until incorporated.
- Stir in sour cream and heavy cream until blended and silky.
- Fold in roughly chopped Oreos.
- Pour the batter into the prepared crust and smooth the top. Tap the pan gently to remove air bubbles.
Baking
- Bake for about 55-60 minutes, until edges are set and the center has a slight jiggle.
- Cool on a wire rack to room temperature, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours, preferably overnight.
- Before serving, top with chocolate ganache.
