Circus Animal Cookie Lush (Print Version)
Creamy no-bake layered dessert with frosted circus animal cookies, vanilla pudding, and whipped cream.
# 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
04 - 1/4 cup powdered sugar
05 - 1 tsp 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 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 (optional)
12 - Reserved circus animal cookies, for decoration
# Directions:
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 moistened. Press mixture firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish to form an even, compact layer. 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 blended. In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture until uniformly combined. Spread evenly over the chilled cookie base.
03 - Whisk together instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk in a clean bowl until thickened, about 2 minutes. Fold in the whipped topping until smooth and creamy. Spread the pudding layer evenly over the cream cheese layer.
04 - Spread the remaining whipped topping over the pudding layer in an even coat. Decorate with extra circus animal cookies and rainbow sprinkles if desired.
05 - Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours or overnight before serving to allow all layers to set properly.
# Expert Tips:
01 -
- No oven required, which means you can make this even on the hottest summer day without breaking a sweat.
- Every single layer tastes like a different chapter of your childhood, and watching peoples faces when they take the first bite is pure joy.
02 -
- Rushing the chilling time will give you a soupy mess that slides onto the serving plate instead of standing proud.
- Folding the whipped cream into the cream cheese too aggressively deflates everything, so use a light hand and patience.
03 -
- Crush a handful of extra cookies and scatter the crumbs between layers for unexpected crunch in every bite.
- The dessert slices much more cleanly if you run a knife around the edges of the dish before your first cut.