Easy Red Velvet Cheesecake with Oreo Crust

This Red Velvet Cheesecake has a crunchy oreo cookie crust and a smooth and creamy red velvet filling. It is super easy to make and doesn’t require a traditional water bath. Slicing into this cheesecake is like a dream!

This easy red velvet cheesecake with oreo crust is a cheesecake lover’s dream come true. Imagine luscious red velvet cheesecake baked in a chocolatey, delightfully sweet Oreo crumb crust. YUM.

As a trained pastry chef, I love experimenting and know a successful baking experiment when I see one. A classic red velvet cake has a cocoa-forward flavor and velvety finish (hence the name!), but if you’re looking for something even more decadent and divine, you must make this red velvet cheesecake with oreo crust. It’s truly something special.

Like my chocolate red velvet cake, red velvet brownies, and red velvet bundt cake this cheesecake is made with a hint of cocoa and vanilla for the classic red velvet taste.

Hot tip: You need to use softened cream cheese to ensure the batter is silky and not lumpy. If you need to bring it to room temperature quickly, check out how to soften cream cheese quickly.

If you are an Oreo cookie lover, don’t miss out on these Oreo Cupcakes or Oreo Frosting!

What is red velvet?

Red velvet is a combination of chocolate and vanilla flavors, but has much less chocolate or cocoa than a traditional chocolate cake. In cakes it also has the addition of buttermilk, baking soda, and vinegar. When the baking soda reacts with the acidic ingredients (cocoa, buttermilk, vinegar) it brings out a reddish chocolate hue and a tangy flavor.

For this cheesecake the tang comes from the cream cheese an buttermilk, plus has the combination of chocolate and vanilla.

WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS RECIPE

• It’s easy! I use a water bath hack that creates perfect cheesecake every time!
• Red velvet is a fun take on classic cheesecake without sacrificing flavor.
• It’s DELICIOUS. What could be better than red velvet oreo cheesecake?

INGREDIENTS NEEDED

Ingredients for the Oreo cookie crust:

• 32 Oreos or 2 sleeves of cookies from 1 pack
• Unsalted butter

For the Red Velvet Cheesecake filling:

• Cream cheese – Softened cream cheese creams beautifully with sugar and sour cream to create a thick and creamy mouth feel.
• Sugar – Sweetens! For the smoothest cheesecake, use superfine granulated sugar.
• Sour cream – Adds a tart, tangy element and extra moisture to help prevent the cheesecake from drying out in the oven.
• Eggs – Gives the cheesecake a custard-like smooth finish.
• Vanilla extract – Use a quality, pure vanilla extract to enhance the decadent, creamy flavors.
• Red food coloring – Water-based food coloring is the best red food coloring for red velvet cakes and cheesecakes. It doesn’t leave a bitter aftertaste like some gel red food coloring tends to do.
• Buttermilk or Half & half – This helps thin the batter, and is interchangeable depending on what you have on hand or want to use.
• Unsweetened cocoa powder –  A classic red velvet cake has just a little cocoa powder for a chocolate flavor.
• Flour – Adding a small amount of starch to the batter keeps the cheesecake from cracking and makes it easier to slice.
• Garnish – More crushed Oreos and whipped cream will do the trick!

The best red food coloring to use

I like to use a water based food coloring instead of gel because a gel can leave a bitter taste to the dessert. You will need 1 tbsp food coloring for the recipe and that’s enough for the gel to leave a bad taste. You can find water based food coloring in any grocery store.

HOW TO MAKE RED VELVET OREO CHEESECAKE

Make the crust

Crush the oreos: If you don’t have a food processor, crush the Oreos in a zip-top bag with a rolling pin to make a coarse sand-like texture.

Make oreo crust: Add crushed Oreos to a mixing bowl, and pour the melted butter over the top. Stir well until the mixture resembles wet sand. Then, press it into the bottom of a greased 9″ springform pan, and bake for 8 minutes at375° F. Once finished, lower the heat to 350° F.

Make the batter

Cream butter with sugar and sour cream: While the crust sets in the oven, start on the cheesecake. Make sure all your refrigerated ingredients are at room temperature. Add cream cheese and sugar to the bowl of your stand mixer and mix with the paddle attachment over low to medium speed until smooth. Then, add sour cream and blend until smooth.

Combine wet ingredients: Next, add the eggs, vanilla, and red food coloring. Mix again until just combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl, then add half & half, and mix again.

Add dry ingredients: Mix in cocoa powder and flour on low speed until combined. Scrape down the sides of the bowl once more, and ensure the batter is evenly mixed.

Prepare for baking cheesecake: Pour the batter into the springform pan, filling the crust evenly, and place it on the top rack of the oven. Place a 9″x13″ baking tray on the bottom beneath and fill it with 1″ of water.

Bake: Bake until the edges start to brown and pull away from the sides of the pan, but you want the middle to be still jiggly (45-55 minutes).

Cool: Turn the oven off, crack the door, and leave the cheesecake to cool for 1 hour in the turned-off oven. Remove from the oven and finish cooling to room temperature on the counter.

Chill, decorate, and serve: Transfer the pan to the fridge and chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Garnish with more Oreos and whipped cream, and serve!

How to make this without a water bath

A water bath is used when making cheesecake because the steam rising from the water keeps the filling creamy.

I never use a traditional water bath for my cheesecakes. Instead I fill a 9×13″ pan with water 1-2″ high in the pan and put it on the lower rack in my oven. The cheesecake then goes on the top rack. See the photo above for a visual!

This way, you still get the benefit of the steam from the water but you don’t have to wrap your cheesecake in foil and put it IN the water and risk it seeping into the pan. Win, win!

How to prevent cheesecake from cracking

To keep your cheesecake from cracking you can do two things. First, follow my water bath hack above. Then when the cheesecake is done turn off the oven and leave the door open a bit for the first hour after the cheesecake is done to cool.

If you take the cheesecake out immediately, the drop in temperature will cause it to crack.

TIPS FOR RECIPE SUCCESS

• ALL refrigerated ingredients must be at room temperature to mix smoothly into the cheesecake batter, or else it will be lumpy.
• Use a springform pan for best results and easily slice the cake.
• To press the oreo crust into the pie pan, use the bottom of a small heavy measuring cup or mug to smooth it out evenly and pack it in firmly.
• You can tell the cheesecake is done by tapping on the edge of the pan and if the middle still jiggles but the sides are set, it’s done!

STORAGE AND FREEZING

Storing: If you plan to enjoy your cheesecake within a week, keep it covered in the fridge.

Freezing: Otherwise, you can freeze individual slices or the whole thing wrapped securely in freezer-safe plastic wrap and a layer of foil. Freeze for up to 3 months and thaw in the fridge before serving.

FAQ

Can I make this cheesecake without a water bath?

Yes! Hence, why it’s so easy. Instead of assembling a water bath, place a tray of water underneath the cheesecake rack. The steam from the water will rise and have the same effect as a water bath but with less room for error. This is a great hack to prevent the cheesecake from cracking.

Why did my cheesecake crack?

If your cheesecake cracks, it was either baked too long or removed from the oven before it was ready. Cheesecakes must be slowly cooled to room temperature. It’s done when the batter is mostly firm with a 2-inch to 3-inch wobbly spot in the middle.

Does red velvet cheesecake need to be chilled?

Yes. Chill the cheesecake for 4 hours or overnight before serving.

WAYS TO ENJOY

In addition to whipped cream and oreo crumbs, you can decorate your red velvet cheesecake with:

• Fresh raspberries or strawberries dusted with powdered sugar
• Chopped candied walnuts or pecans
• Pour vanilla or chocolate glaze over the top
• Drizzle with chocolate or caramel sauce
• Red or chocolate sprinkles
• Chocolate ganache
• Decoratively pipe white chocolate buttercream frosting or strawberry cream cheese frosting

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