Oreo Cheesecake
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My Oreo Cheesecake uses NO fussy water bath and yields smooth, creamy, crack-free results! It’s simple to make with an easy Oreo crust and topped off with chocolate ganache and homemade whipped cream. Recipe includes a how-to video!
Oreo Cheesecake (Without the Water Bath)
If you’re a fan of my cheesecake brownies or Oreo cake, you’re going to love this Oreo cheesecake! It’s creamy, chocolatey, and perfectly decadent. I use Oreos in both the crust and the batter, and although it’s optional, I highly recommend adding the chocolate ganache and homemade whipped cream topping.
Oh, and there’s also finally a video to go with this recipe now–keep scrolling to watch 😊
What You Need
For best results and an Oreo cheesecake that’s not likely to crack, I recommend using all room-temperature ingredients:
- Cream cheese. I only recommend using the brick-style, full-fat cream cheese. Tub-style cream cheese will not set up properly!
- Sour cream. Don’t skip the sour cream! I’ve mentioned this before in my no-bake cheesecake recipe — sour cream is what makes a cheesecake really taste like a cheesecake. This key ingredient gives your dessert that critical depth of flavor.
- Eggs. Lightly beat your eggs before adding them to your cheesecake. Once they’re in the batter, be gentle; overbeating your cheesecake, and particularly the eggs, can cause problems.
- Oreos. The star of the show! You can use regular or “double stuf” Oreos. We’ll be removing the cream centers for the crust, but you can leave them in when you add the cookies to the batter.
Remember, this is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
SAM’S TIP: Make sure to press your crust high up the side of the springform pan; ideally it should be higher than the cheesecake batter. This will help keep your Oreo cheesecake from cracking (the cheesecake shrinks as it cools, and if the crust is high enough, it will shrink with the cheesecake and prevent cracks). I discovered this tip when making my lemon cheesecake and it’s a total game-changer!
How to Make Oreo Cheesecake
- Discard the filling from 35 Oreos and place the cookies in the basin of a food processor.
- Pulse until the cookies have turned into fine crumbs, then pour into a large bowl.
- Pour melted butter over the crumbs and toss to combine.
- Press the crumbs into the bottom and high up the sides of a 9-inch springform pan.
- Cream together the cream cheese and sugar until smooth, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla.
- Add the eggs one at a time, stirring until just combined after each addition.
- Fold in broken Oreo pieces.
- Pour your batter into your prepared pan and place on a foil lined baking sheet. Bake for 45-55 minutes, then remove from the oven and use a sharp knife to gently loosen any filling that is touching the pan.
SAM’S TIP: While it’s important to ensure the ingredients are thoroughly combined and batter is smooth, don’t over-beat the batter at any point when preparing it. Over-beating can make your Oreo cheesecake rise too much in the oven and can ultimately negatively affect the texture.
- Let the cheesecake cool for about an hour at room temperature, then transfer to the fridge to chill for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
- Heat the cream over medium heat until simmering, then pour over your chocolate chips, cover, and let sit for 5 minutes.
- Whisk until smooth, then drizzle the ganache over the chilled cheesecake and place in the fridge to chill for about 20 minutes.
- Pipe whipped cream over the top, slice, and serve.
SAM’S TIP: If your Oreo cheesecake comes out of the oven and some of the batter is cooked to the side of the springform pan, immediately use a sharp knife to gently loosen the cheesecake from the pan so it can shrink naturally as it cools. Not loosening could cause tension and cause the cheesecake to crack.
Frequently Asked Questions
No, a water bath is not necessary! If you follow my steps you should have a smooth, crack-free Oreo cheesecake.
There are several reasons this can happen, including not pressing the crust high enough, using cold ingredients, overbeating the batter, opening the oven frequently while baking, overbaking, neglecting to free the crust, or cooling too quickly. I review this in detail in my cheesecake post, so definitely click over there if you’re new to baking cheesecakes or having trouble. Ultimately though, if you end up with cracks don’t panic! We’ll be covering our Oreo cheesecake in chocolate ganache, so any cracks will be our little secret 😊
To make mini Oreo cheesecakes, simply follow this recipe and use the baking instructions for my mini cheesecakes (you will get 24 mini cheesecakes rather than the 12 listed in that recipe).
No! My Oreo crust works just fine with baking the crust at the same time as the cheesecake–no need to pre-bake it separately.
Stay tuned for a NEW cheesecake recipe coming next week 💙
Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! I’ll be walking you through all the steps in my written recipe and video below! If you try this recipe, be sure to tag me on Instagram, and you can also find me on YouTube and Facebook
Oreo Cheesecake
Ingredients
Oreo Crust
- 35 Oreo cookies
- 5 Tablespoons (75 g) unsalted butter, melted
For Cheesecake
- 15 Oreo cookies
- 32 oz (907 g) cream cheese, softened (use full-fat brick-style cream cheese)
- 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- ¾ cup (180 g) sour cream
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4 large eggs, lightly beaten (room temperature preferred)
Ganache (optional)
- 3 oz (85 g) chocolate, use semisweet chocolate chips or a finely chopped semisweet baking bar
- ½ cup (118 ml) heavy cream
Instructions
Oreo Crust
- Preheat oven to 325F (160C).
- Twist apart the 35 Oreo cookies, use a butter knife to scrape out the filling (discard the filling) and toss cookies into the basin of a food processor.35 Oreo cookies
- Pulse until cookies are ground into fine crumbs.
- Combine cookie crumbs and melted butter in a large bowl and toss together until all crumbs are moistened. Press crumbs evenly into the bottom and up the sides of 9” springform pan (go as high up the pan as you can, this will help prevent cracks!). I like to use a glass to help with this. Set aside while you prepare cheesecake filling (you do not need to bake the crust on its own).5 Tablespoons (75 g) unsalted butter
Oreo Cheesecake Filling
- Place 15 Oreo cookies in a large Ziploc bag and use a rolling pin to smack them repeatedly until cookies are broken up into coarse pieces (don’t break too small or grind too fine you want substantial cookie pieces in your cheesecake!). Set aside.15 Oreo cookies
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, combine cream cheese and sugar. Use an electric mixer (or stand mixer) to beat on medium-low speed until cream cheese and sugar are completely combined and no lumps remain (scrape sides and bottom of the bowl to ensure no lumps).32 oz (907 g) cream cheese, 1 cup (200 g) granulated sugar
- With mixer on low-speed, stir in sour cream and vanilla extract until completely combined and batter is smooth.¾ cup (180 g) sour cream, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Add eggs one at a time, stirring until just-combined after each addition (eggs should be well combined, but don’t overbeat or the texture of the cheesecake could be affected). Scrape sides and bottom of bowl to ensure all ingredients are well incorporated.4 large eggs
- Use a spatula to fold in Oreo pieces.
- Pour batter into prepared springform pan and use a spatula to smooth the surface.
- Place cheesecake on a foil lined baking sheet and transfer to the center rack of 325F (160C) oven and bake for 50-60 minutes. Center should be set but spring back lightly to the touch and if jostled the center will slightly jiggle like set jello but should not be liquidy. The very edges of the cheesecake may be turning a very faint brown or very slightly cracking when the cheesecake is finished.
- Remove cheesecake from oven and if any of the cheesecake filling is touching the springform pan and isn’t enclosed by the crust, use a sharp knife to gently loosen it (this will prevent cracks as the cheesecake settles). Allow cheesecake to cool for about an hour at room temperature, then transfer to refrigerator to chill for at least 6 hours, preferably overnight.
Chocolate Ganache
- Once cheesecake is set, prepare ganache. Place chocolate in a heatproof bowl and set aside.3 oz (85 g) chocolate
- Pour cream into a small saucepan and heat over medium heat until it just begins to simmer. Immediately drizzle over chocolate, cover bowl with foil, and let sit for 5 minutes. After 5 minutes, gently stir with a whisk until chocolate is completely melted and ganache is smooth.½ cup (118 ml) heavy cream
- Drizzle ganache evenly over cheesecake.
- Return cheesecake to refrigerator and allow ganache to set before slicing and serving (about 20 minutes). If desired, pipe half a batch of homemade whipped cream over top of firm ganache cheesecake before serving (I piped the whipped cream on top of my cheesecake using an Ateco 848 tip).
Notes
Storing
Store in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. Cheesecake may also be tightly wrapped and frozen for several months.Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Like this? Leave a comment below!
Thank you Sam! I LOVE this Oreo Cheesecake recipe. My first try, the cake did not fully set plus the cheese cake doesn’t look nice when I cut it after the chocolate set but overall the cheesecake is so nice. The edge of the cheesecake was a mess the chocolate was stick on the knife when I am trying to remove it from the cake tin. May I check when is the best time to fill the chocolate ganache onto the cheessecake? 2nd try yesterday the oreo crust was not nicely stick to the cheesecake and the chocolate ganache was separated from the cheesecake also I think the chocolate was pour in too late. I will definitely have the 3rd try. Do you have a video for this?
Hi Wendy! I don’t have a video for it yet but hope to add one soon. I do not add the ganache until the cheesecake has chilled completely.
Thank you so much for your reply Sam! I shall try again.
Hi can I 1/4 this recipe?
Yes, you can! 🙂
While at home, I have Greek yogurt but not sour cream. Wondering if that will work? Thanks. Looks delicious!
Hi, Robin! Someone recently used that as a substitute and had success. I hope that you do too. Enjoy! 🙂
Going to make this cheesecake soon but want to check what type of sugar you use? Is it caster sugar?? Thanks
Hi Jo! I use regular granulated sugar, but caster would work here as well! Enjoy!
What size springform pan should I use?
Hi, Karen! I use a 9″ springform pan. 🙂
Hi!
I made you classic cheesecake before this one and both recipes were absolutely delicious! I did have one issue with both though. The tops became too brown and the cane raised a lot so when it sunk, it became a bit of a mess! If I take it out the oven before, it feel raw in the center. Any ideas on how I could fix this?
I am happy to hear that you enjoyed both recipes, Sarah, and they tasted delicious. I am sorry that you experienced issues with browning and that your cheesecake sunk. You want to position the baking rack in the center of your oven and place your cheesecake in the center of the middle oven rack. Your oven may also be running “too hot.” If you have never checked your oven temperature for accuracy using a thermometer I highly reccomend doing so. I recently purchased a new oven and found that it was baking 15 degrees hotter than what was indicated. You also want to be careful next time to not overmix your batter, too much air will make the cheesecake fall. I hope that this helps. If you haven’t watched the video, I would recommend doing so as it gives you more tips to watch for. 🙂
This was so delicious! The middle of my cheesecake never set up though. It passed the spring test but inside it was a thick pudding. I’ll definitely make it again, but try cooking it about 10 minutes longer, with some foil to cover it so it doesn’t burn.
I am happy to hear that you enjoyed the cheesecake, but sorry that it never set up towards the middle, Karen! Next time it just may need the extra 10 minutes you suggested. 🙂
For a faster setting time, can you put the cheesecake in the freezer instead?
Hi Monique! I don’t recommend doing that.
The directions for the recipe didn’t mention anywhere how to make the Oreo crust
Hi Gianna! There is a link to the crust instructions in the ingredients list, just click where it says “Oreo Crust”. I hope that helps and I hope you love the cheesecake!
I made this for my son’s 18th birthday. Turned out great. Wad only my second time making a cheesecake. Had never made ganache either
I hope that your son had a wonderful birthday, Laurie. I am happy to hear that the cheesecake turned out so well and was enjoyed. Thanks for trying my recipe. 🙂
I am obsessed with this recipe! I have my third one in the oven right now! Thank you!
The third one! THAT IS AWESOME, Alyssa! I am so glad that you love this recipe. Thank you for commenting. 🙂
Hi, I’m not sure what is recommended in breaking up the oreos. Do you remove the cream filling and only use the cookies, or did you use the whole oreo cookie with the cream?
Hi, Alison! You will place the Oreos into a baggie and use a rolling pin to break up the Oreos. There is an image on the post with the Oreos being placed into the batter that will give you a better idea of how “broken” you will want yours to be. I hope that helps. 🙂
But do you place the oreos in the baggie with the cream filling or without? Thanks
With the cream filling. 🙂
Is it okay to have the oreos and the filling inside combined for the crust?
I am sorry, Angelina, but I am not sure what you are asking here. Please clarify.
Sorry, I had made this recipe last night and I didnt remove the oreo filling for the crust.
Gotcha. That is totally fine. I hope that it turned out perfectly, Angelina, and you enjoyed it. 🙂
Awesome, I actually just made the chocolate ganache. It’s actually a dessert for my 1 year anniversary!
Happy FIRST Anniversary you! Enjoy! 🙂
Hands down best cheesecake to make! Thank you so much for this recipe!
HOORAY! I am so glad that you enjoyed it! 🙂
How much cream cheese would that be if you are unable to measure the grams? Is it half a cup? 2 cups? Thanks!
Hi, Tiffany! For this recipe you need 32oz of cream cheese, that is (4) 8oz box packages or 2 cups. I hope that you enjoy the recipe! 🙂
This looks so delicious! Can’t wait to try! One question – should the eggs be beaten or stirred in with a spoon?
Hi, Grace! Noted in step 3 of the directions you will want to add the (whole) egg in one at a time to the mixture until it is well combined. I hope that helps! Keep me posted on how your cheesecake turns out. 🙂