Golden Oreo Cheesecake (Vanilla Oreo Cheesecake)

Why this recipe is great

• It isn’t overly sweet like many golden Oreos recipes. Cutting down the sugar lets the vanilla flavor shine.
• Golden Oreo cookies have a delicious but simple flavor. So this cheesecake is the perfect base for toppings! I suggest a white chocolate drizzle, strawberry topping, or caramel sauce. 
• The water bath method used a slow cooker liner, so no need to worry about leaks or a soggy crust.
• This is a wonderful dessert for holiday parties and gatherings. If you're looking for more ideas, check out our lists of Easter recipes and Thanksgiving recipes.

Ingredients for golden oreo cheesecake

A full list of the ingredients is in the recipe card below, but here are a few noteworthy tips:

• Golden Oreos: To make the whole cheesecake, you will need 42 whole Oreos. A family pack contains 48, so you’ll have extra for a fun Oreo cheesecake decoration on top of the cheesecake! 
• Cream cheese: It is essential that the cream cheese be at room temperature before using. It should dent very easily when pressed with a spoon.
• Eggs: These should also be room temp. Leave them on the counter or set them in a bowl and cover with warm water for about 10 minutes.
• Sour cream: Again, this must be fully at room temperature before using, so take it out of the fridge early.

Helpful kitchen tools

How to make golden oreo cheesecake

Water bath

The secret to making water baths both easy and effective is to use slow cooker liners (affiliate). They keep the water out but withstand the heat perfectly!

• Prep the pan: Take one large piece of parchment paper and lay it over the circular bottom of the springform pan (affiliate). Then set the outside rim on top, press it firmly down over the circular bottom, and clamp it shut. You can fold the extra parchment underneath the pan or trim it off. Then spray lightly with baking spray. 
• Wrap in foil: Lay two pieces of foil on the counter to form a + sign. Set the pan in the center and wrap the foil tightly up the sides of the pan. 
• Wrap in slow cooker liner: Next, set the pan inside a slow cooker liner (affiliate). Pull all the excess liner to one side, making sure the liner goes all the way to the top of the pan (or even slightly over the edges). Twist the liner tightly, then secure with a metal binder clip (yes, these are oven safe.)

• Combine: Add the Golden Oreo cookies, sugar, and melted butter to a food processor (affiliate). Pulse until a fine crumb (it should look like wet sand). 
• Press into bottom of the pan: Using your hands or a tamper, press the crust into the prepared springform pan (affiliate).

• Boil water: Start a large pot of water on the stove to boil for the water bath.
• Beat cream cheese: In a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or in a large bowl with hand beaters (affiliate), beat the softened cream cheese on medium-low speed until very smooth. Scrape well with a rubber spatula. 
• Add sugar: Add the sugar, then beat again on medium-low until very smooth. Scrape well. 
• Add sour cream: Next add the sour cream and vanilla extract, mixing on low until just combined. 
• Add eggs: One at a time, add the eggs and combine on LOW speed until just combined. Scrape well between each addition and do not overmix.
• Fold in crumbs: Using a rubber spatula, gently fold in the Oreo crumbs until evenly mixed.

• Batter: Pour ⅓ of the cheesecake batter into the prepared crust. 
• Golden Oreos: Sprinkle half of the quartered Oreos over the batter. 
• Repeat: Add ⅓ of the batter and top with the rest of the Oreos. 
• Batter: Cover the Oreo chunks with the remaining batter, pushing any protruding Oreos down with a toothpick.

Bake

• Add water: Place the cheesecake into a large baking tray. Place the tray into the hot oven, then pour the boiling water into the large tray until it reaches about half way up the side of the springform pan. Be careful not to get any in the cheesecake.
• Bake: Close the door and bake dessert at 325°F for 60-90 minutes, or until the top is dry, edges are set, and the center is somewhat jiggly like jello. For more tips on this, see the FAQ section below.
• Crack the door: Turn off the oven, crack the door about an inch, and allow to cool for 1 hour. 
• Continue cooling: Remove the pan from the oven and take the cheesecake out of the water bath, liner, and foil. Then set the cheesecake on a wire rack and allow to come to room temperature for 2-4 hours. 
• Refrigerate: Leave the cheesecake in the pan and refrigerate until cold, 4-5 hours. Once cold, remove from the springform pan and serve.

For a crowd

This baked Golden Oreo Cheesecake recipe would be great for a crowd. When you are cutting thin slices, I recommend using this serrated Swiss paring knife (affiliate) and wiping the blade off with a paper towel after each cut for best results. This keeps the slices clean and pretty.

FAQs

Tips and tricks

• Start with truly softened cream cheese. The best way to soften it is to leave it on the counter until it is room temperature and very easily dents when pressed with a spoon or finger. 
• Make sure the cream cheese is beaten until very smooth before adding the eggs. 
• Don’t over mix the batter. Keep the mixer on medium-low before adding the eggs, and only on low after the eggs have been added. 
• Avoid over baking it or it will be dry, cracked, and very brown. 
• To avoid cracks, cool the cheesecake progressively as described in the recipe card. 
• ***Golden Oreo cheesecake does get slightly golden and may have bubbles on top due to the Oreo chunks trapping air. As it cools, the bubbles will fall.

More delicious desserts

• Blackberry cheesecake is lusciously creamy and swirled with tangy blackberry sauce. Perfect for a stunning dessert when hosting! 
• White Chocolate Raspberry Bundt Cake is a moist white chocolate cake with a tangy raspberry swirl and creamy ganache on top. Delicious!
• This Tiramisu Cheesecake is indulgent, creamy, and perfectly crave-worthy.
• Caramel Praline Sauce would make an amazing topping to this vanilla Oreo cheesecake. It’s easy to make in the microwave and unbeatable in flavor!
• Try this Creamy Oreo Cheesecake Recipe for a rich and creamy dessert that's freezer friendly. No water bath needed!