Circus Animal Cookie Lush (Printable)
Creamy no-bake layered dessert with frosted circus animal cookies, vanilla pudding, and whipped cream cheese.
# What You'll 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 plus 2 tbsp powdered sugar
05 - 1 tsp pure vanilla extract
06 - 1 cup heavy whipping cream, kept 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, thawed
→ Topping
10 - 1/2 cup whipped topping, thawed
11 - Rainbow sprinkles, to taste
12 - Reserved circus animal cookies for decoration
# How-To Steps:
01 - Pulse circus animal cookies in a food processor until finely ground, or seal them in a zip-top bag and crush with a rolling pin. Combine the crumbs with melted butter, stirring until the mixture resembles wet sand. Press firmly into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish to create an even, compact layer. Refrigerate while preparing the next layer.
02 - Beat the softened cream cheese in a mixing bowl until completely smooth and free of lumps. Add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract, mixing until fully incorporated. In a separate chilled bowl, whip the heavy cream to stiff peaks using an electric mixer. Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture in two additions, preserving as much volume as possible. Spread the filling evenly over the chilled cookie base.
03 - Whisk the instant vanilla pudding mix and cold milk together in a clean bowl for about 2 minutes until thickened. Fold in the whipped topping until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Carefully spread the pudding layer over the cream cheese filling, smoothing the surface with a spatula.
04 - Spread the remaining whipped topping evenly over the pudding layer. Arrange extra circus animal cookies on top and finish with a scattering of rainbow sprinkles.
05 - Cover the dish tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 3 hours, or ideally overnight, to allow all layers to firm up before slicing and serving.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- Zero baking required, which means your oven stays off and your kitchen stays cool even in the dead of summer.
- Every single layer tastes completely different, but somehow they all belong together like old friends at a reunion.
02 -
- If the cream cheese is not fully softened, you will end up with tiny lumps that no amount of mixing can fix, so set it out an hour ahead.
- Chilling for the full three hours is not optional because cutting too early means the layers slide around and you end up with a delicious but very ugly mess.
03 -
- Reserve a handful of chopped circus animal cookies and scatter them between the cream cheese and pudding layers for a surprise crunch that keeps every bite interesting.
- Use the back of a measuring cup to press the crust down firmly and evenly because a loose crust will crumble when you try to serve squares.