This post may contain affiliate links. Please read my disclosure policy.
All recipes on Doggone Baking are intended for humans — the dogs are just our enthusiastic photo assistants and taste-test spectators.
Cookies and Cream Pie Recipe (No-Bake Oreo Cheesecake)
Cookies and cream pie, also sometimes called Oreo pie, is an easy no-bake cheesecake pie recipe that’s perfect for anyone who loves cookies and cream ice cream. It’s also one of my favorite Halloween pie recipes! This no-bake dessert is a creamy no-bake Oreo cookie cheesecake set inside a crunchy Oreo crust. Because of that, this pie could also be considered a no-bake cookies and cream cheesecake or a no-bake Oreo cheesecake recipe.
What is Cookies and Cream Pie
Cookies and cream pie, also called Oreo pie, is an easy no-bake dessert recipe. The crust is almost always an easy Oreo cookie pie crust, made with crushed Oreo cookies mixed with some melted butter and pressed into a pie tin. The filling is a no-bake cookies and cream cheesecake, made by folding crushed Oreo cookies into a creamy no-bake vanilla cheesecake. This Oreo pie recipe also includes melted white chocolate, which gives the no-bake cheesecake filling a little more depth of flavor and complexity.
It’s also very common to see this recipe called a no-bake cookies and cream cheesecake or a no-bake Oreo cheesecake. There’s no difference in the actual recipe. The difference comes more from how the dessert is presented. No-bake cheesecakes are frequently set with a crust only on the bottom, and they’re usually made in a springform cake pan. Cheesecake pies, on the other hand, tend to be made in an aluminum pie pan with the crust going up the sides as well. If anything, a no-bake cheesecake pie is a bit easier to make because it requires fewer specialized tools.
Origin of Cookies and Cream Pie
Cookies and cream pie is a relatively new modern dessert recipe. Like many newer recipes, there are a lot of different names and a lot of different variations of what exactly is an Oreo pie. You’ll find similar recipes to this one under a few different names including: Oreo pie, cookies and cream pie (cookies ‘n cream pie), Oreo pudding pie, and Jell-O Oreo pudding pie. Not to mention the different variations you’ll find for no-bake Oreo cheesecake, no-bake cookies and cream cheesecake, and more.
The earliest published recipe I’ve found for a no-bake cookies and cream cheesecake is in the Philadelphia Cream Cheese cookbook titled Cheesecakes published in 1989. The earliest published recipe I can find that specifically calls the dish a cookies and cream pie is in The Money Saver’s Cookbook published in 1992. Other recipes began popping up around that time, with a number of cookbooks, newspapers, and online recipe sites publishing recipes for cookies and cream pie throughout the late 1990s until today.
If you’re curious about the history of Oreo cookies, check out my post on Oreo cookie pie crust here.
Oreo Cookie Crust
It makes sense that a pie that’s frequently called Oreo pie would be made with an Oreo pie crust. Similar to graham cracker crust, an Oreo pie crust is quick, easy, and irresistibly delicious. Because it’s a crumb crust, there’s no tricky rolling or shaping to worry about. You just have to crush, mix, and press. Even though it’s quick and easy to make, the result is a crisp chocolatey base that pairs perfectly with creamy fillings, no-bake cheesecakes, or frozen pies. Oreo pie crust is perfect for a Valentine’s day pie or a Halloween dessert.
What are Crumb Crusts for Pie?
A crumb crust is a pie crust made by grinding cookies or crackers into fine crumbs, mixing them with a little sugar and melted butter, and pressing the mixture into a pie pan. Unlike traditional pastry crusts, crumb crusts don’t require rolling, shaping, or blind baking, which makes them much simpler and more approachable for beginner bakers. They are especially popular for cream pies, custard pies, and no-bake pies, where their crisp, sweet base is a perfect contrast to smooth, creamy fillings.
Step-by-Step No Bake Cookies and Cream Pie Recipe
Crust:
This no-bake cookies and cream pie recipe works best with an Oreo pie crust. The rich chocolate flavor of the crust goes best with the no-bake cheesecake filling. A fully blind-baked flaky pie crust would also work well with this pie. I wouldn’t recommend many other crumb crusts for this pie though, the flavor of graham crackers and other cookies just don’t pair as well with the filling as Oreo cookies do.
Step-by-Step No-Bake Cookies and Cream Cheesecake Filling Recipe
Ingredients
- 1c Heavy Whipping Cream (240mL)
- 8oz Cream Cheese, softened (227g)
- ¾c Powdered Sugar, sifted (90g)
- 6oz White Chocolate (170g)
- 1t Vanilla Extract
- 18 Oreo cookies, crushed
1.
In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
2.
In a microwave safe bowl in the microwave, or on a double boiler, melt the white chocolate until smooth.
3.
Mix the melted white chocolate into the cream cheese and powdered sugar mixture.
4.
In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream on high speed until stiff peaks form.
5.
Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and white chocolate mixture until fully combined. Work slowly to keep the filling as airy as possible.
6.
Carefully fold the crushed Oreo cookies into the no-bake cheesecake filling.
7.
Spread the filling evenly into your prepared Oreo cookie crust.
8.
Refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving to allow the filling to set fully.
Using Cool Whip vs Whipped Cream in Oreo Pie
Many recipes for no-bake pies call for “whipped topping.” This is just a generic term for tubs of Cool Whip. If you prefer, or to reduce the number of steps, you can easily substitute Cool Whip for whipped cream in this Oreo pie recipe.
But what is the difference between Cool Whip and whipped cream? Cool Whip is marketed as “whipped topping” instead of “whipped cream” for a reason: it doesn’t contain any actual cream. Homemade whipped cream, when used as a baking ingredient, is exactly one ingredient: heavy whipping cream. Sometimes powdered sugar and vanilla extract are added for flavoring. Cool Whip, on the other hand, lists water, corn syrup, high-fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated vegetable oil, and skim milk in its long list of ingredients. Dairy is the last ingredient, and it’s fat-free milk (0% milkfat), the opposite of heavy whipping cream, which comes in at 36-40% milkfat. However, Cool Whip is a good lower calorie substitute for whipped cream.
Is Cool Whip or whipped cream better for this no-bake Oreo pie recipe? If you’re looking for convenience and ease of use, Cool Whip will work well and the result will be delicious. However, real whipped cream will result in a slightly richer, creamier, and smoother filling.
If you want to substitute Cool Whip for the freshly whipped cream in this recipe, substitute 2 cups of Cool Whip in place of the 1 cup of heavy whipping cream (before whipping).
Best Pies to Make with an Oreo Pie Crust
An Oreo cookie crust works anywhere you want a chocolatey base to pair with a creamy filling. It’s especially popular for no-bake pies and frozen desserts, but also works well with cheesecake and custard pies. Here are some of the most common pies other than this cookies and cream pie that work well with Oreo pie crusts:
- Peanut Butter Pie: A no-bake cheesecake pie with a rich, creamy peanut butter filling. It’s popular to use an Oreo crust and a chocolate ganache topping to make one giant peanut butter cup in pie form.
- Cheesecake Pies: Oreo crusts pair beautifully with chocolate-friendly flavors of cheesecake pies like pumpkin, strawberry, chocolate, and even classic vanilla.
- Grasshopper Pie: a retro no-bake pie with a mint-flavored mousse filling that was especially popular in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, it’s usually made in an Oreo crust.
- French Silk Pie: A light, airy, chocolate mousse pie. Oreo pie crust is a popular choice for French silk pie.
- Mocha Cream Pie: Chocolate cream pie but add a coffee twist. Mocha pie is a chocolate-espresso flavored cream pie. An Oreo cookie pie crust pairs naturally.
- Mudslide Pie: similar to mocha cream pie, but with a stronger emphasis on coffee and occasionally omitting chocolate altogether
- Mississippi Mud Pie: Mississippi mud pie is a chocolate lover’s dream and is chocolate on chocolate on chocolate. There are many variations, but popular versions include an Oreo crust, brownies baked into the base of the pie, topped with chocolate pudding and chocolate whipped cream.
- Pumpkin Pie Variations: especially chocolate pumpkin or pumpkin cheesecake pies.
- Banana Cream Pie: Banana cream pie is a classic pie with vanilla custard and sliced bananas. Adding chocolate is a classic pairing.
Storage Header Text
This Oreo pie must be kept refrigerated because of the cream cheese and whipped cream in the filling. The pie will keep well in the fridge for about 5 days. The crust will begin to soften with time, but the filling holds up quite well.
Cookies and cream pie also freezes well. To freeze, wrap the whole pie (or individual slices) in plastic wrap or put it in a freezer bag to avoid freezer burn. You can store the pie for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to serve the pie, transfer the pie to the refrigerator and let it thaw overnight.
Whether refrigerated or frozen, Oreo pie tastes best when served chilled.
We’d love to see your cookies and cream pie creations! If you give this recipe a try, tag @doggone_baking on social media so we can share in the baking fun.
Cookies and Cream Pie (No Bake Oreo Cheesecake)
Ingredients
- 1 Oreo Pie Crust
- 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream (240mL)
- 8 oz Cream Cheese (227g) softened
- ¾ cup Powdered Sugar (90g) sifted
- 6 oz White Chocolate (170g)
- 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 18 Oreo Cookies crushed
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix together the softened cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract until smooth.
- In a microwave safe bowl in the microwave, or on a double boiler, melt the white chocolate until smooth.
- Mix the melted white chocolate into the cream cheese and powdered sugar mixture.
- In a separate bowl, whip the heavy cream on high speed until stiff peaks form.
- Gently fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese, powdered sugar, and white chocolate mixture until fully combined. Work slowly to keep the filling as airy as possible.
- Carefully fold the crushed Oreo cookies into the no-bake cheesecake filling.
- Spread the filling evenly into your prepared Oreo cookie crust.
- Refrigerate for at least 6 hours before serving to allow the filling to set fully.
About Me
In 2016, I left my office job and became a professional baker. These days I spend my days testing recipes and baking pies while my two dogs snooze happily nearby.
Leave a Reply