Name: Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Recipe
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 1 h 15 min
Total time: 6 h 35 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 1 cup chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs, such as Oreo; 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted; 16 ounces (2 blocks or 16 tablespoons) full-fat cream cheese, room temperature and not cold to the touch; 1/2 cup granulated sugar; 2 tablespoons full-fat sour cream, room temperature and not cold to the touch; 2 eggs, room temperature and not cold to the touch; 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder; 2 teaspoons liquid red food coloring (McCormick brand or similar); 1 teaspoon vanilla extract; Cream Cheese Whipped Cream or Small Batch Whipped Cream (quantity as desired)

Nothing says celebration quite like the rich colors and flavors of a holiday dessert, and this Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Recipe is the perfect marriage of creamy cheesecake with the fun crunch of Oreos and the depth of red velvet flavor. Trust me, it’s as stunning to look at as it is delicious to eat, and I find it’s always the star of any gathering once it’s sliced and served.

A rich red cheesecake sits on a dark plate placed on a white marbled surface. The cake has two layers: a smooth, dense red cheesecake layer on top and a thin, dark cookie crumb crust at the bottom. On top of the cake, there are five puffs of white whipped cream, each topped with small dark cookie crumbs. Between the cream puffs, there are large, whole dark sandwich cookies embedded into the cheesecake. In the background, a slice of the cake is visible, showing the same layers and toppings. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Recipe holds a special place in my recipe box because it’s not just a dessert; it’s a festive experience. Each bite brings together luscious cream cheese, vibrant red velvet flavor, and those beloved Oreo cookies — creating a showstopper that’s surprisingly simple to pull off.

Decadent Texture: Creamy cheesecake meets the perfect Oreo crumb crust for an irresistible texture contrast.
Beautiful Presentation: The rich red color with Oreo accents makes it a festive centerpiece for holiday tables and special occasions.
Easy to Customize: You can tweak toppings and even add a splash of peppermint or other flavors to make it your own.
Make Ahead Friendly: It chills beautifully and tastes even better the next day, making party prep stress-free.

This is a round cake with three visible layers. The bottom layer is thin and dark, looking crumbly like crushed cookies. The middle layer is thick, smooth, and bright red with a creamy texture. On top, there are white swirls of cream placed evenly around the edge, with small pieces of crushed dark cookies sprinkled on the cream. Each white swirl is adorned with a whole dark cookie standing upright. The cake sits on a white plate with a white marbled surface in the background. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Let’s chat about the ingredients—because their quality and balance really make this Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Recipe shine. Each chosen component plays a vital role in flavor, texture, and even presentation.

Flat lay of a small mound of chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs, a small pool of melted unsalted butter in a white ceramic bowl, a block of full-fat cream cheese, granulated sugar in a small white bowl, a small white bowl of full-fat sour cream, two whole uncracked brown eggs, a small white bowl with unsweetened cocoa powder, a small white bowl containing liquid red food coloring, a small white bowl with vanilla extract placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs: Using Oreo crumbs delivers that classic cookie flavor and crunchy base, anchoring the cheesecake perfectly.
Unsalted butter: This binds the crust crumbs and adds richness without overpowering the other flavors.
Full-fat cream cheese: The heart of cheesecakes everywhere — it ensures a smooth, creamy texture. Make sure it’s room temperature for best mixing results.
Granulated sugar: Sweetens without adding moisture; it blends seamlessly.
Full-fat sour cream: Adds moisture and a subtle tang, balancing the richness and keeping the cheesecake from being too dense.
Eggs: Provide structure and help the cheesecake set properly; keeping them room temperature prevents lumps.
Unsweetened cocoa powder: Gives a mild chocolate note that enhances the red velvet essence without overwhelming it.
Liquid red food coloring: This is what gives the cheesecake its signature vibrant hue — I recommend brands like McCormick for consistent color.
Vanilla extract: Adds warmth and depth, rounding out the flavors beautifully.
Cream Cheese Whipped Cream: The perfect topping to lighten and complement the dense richness below — I like making a small batch for freshness.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

One of the things I adore about this Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Recipe is how versatile it is. I enjoy switching up the toppings or folding in different mix-ins to keep it feeling fresh every time I make it—your palate will thank you for experimenting.

Variation: Once I tried adding chopped peppermint candies on top and swirling a tiny bit of peppermint extract into the batter — it gave the cheesecake a festive holiday twist that guests loved!
Dietary modification: For a lighter version, you can try low-fat cream cheese, but expect a slightly less creamy texture. Also, gluten-free Oreo crumbs work great for gluten sensitivities.
Seasonal change: Swap the Oreo crust for crushed ginger snaps or graham crackers for a bit of warmth and spice during the colder months.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Recipe

Step 1: Prep the Crust for a Perfect Base

First things first: preheat your oven to 325°F and give the outside of your 6-inch springform pan a thorough foil wrap—this little trick keeps water from sneaking in during the water bath bake (more on that later). Mix together the Oreo crumbs with melted butter until it feels like damp sand, then press it firmly and evenly into the pan’s bottom. Bake it for 10 minutes—this sets the crust and locks in that crunchy texture you want under all the creamy goodness.

Step 2: Create the Luscious Red Velvet Cheesecake Batter

In a large mixing bowl fitted with a paddle attachment (or you can use a hand mixer), beat the cream cheese, sugar, and sour cream together on medium-high speed until the mixture is light and fluffy—this usually takes about 2 to 3 minutes. Don’t skip scraping down the bowl; you want everything fully incorporated with no lumps. Then, add eggs one at a time, beating each for a full minute to ensure smoothness but be careful not to overbeat. Scrape down again, then gently fold in the cocoa powder, red food coloring, and vanilla extract until the batter is uniform and stunningly red.

Step 3: Bake in a Water Bath for a Silky Texture

Pour the batter over your already baked crust. Set the springform pan inside a larger pan (like an 8x8 inch) and carefully pour hot water into the outer pan until it reaches halfway up the side of your cheesecake pan. The water bath provides gentle, even cooking and prevents cracks. Bake for 65-75 minutes, watching for when the edges are set and turning a light golden brown, the center is mostly set but still wobbles slightly, and the internal temperature reaches 150°F.

Step 4: Cool, Chill, and Finish

Remove the cheesecake from the oven and carefully run a knife around the edges to loosen it from the pan — this helps prevent cracks as it cools. Let it sit in the water bath for 15 minutes, then remove the pan and cool to room temperature for about an hour before popping it into the fridge to chill for at least 4 hours or overnight. Top with cream cheese whipped cream just before serving for that extra-special finish.

Top Tip

Having made this Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Recipe many times, I’ve learned a few tricks that make all the difference between a good cake and a truly unforgettable one. Here are the nuggets I wish I knew when I started.

Room temperature ingredients: It sounds simple, but letting your cream cheese, sour cream, and eggs come to room temp before mixing avoids lumps and gives you a smooth batter every time.
Water bath magic: Wrapping the pan in foil and baking it in a water bath ensures that silky texture and helps reduce cracks on top.
Patience is key: Resist the urge to open the oven early and trust the internal temperature — cheesecake takes its time to set perfectly!
Knife at the ready: Running a knife around the edge right out of the oven prevents sudden cooling shrinkage from cracking your beautifully smooth top.

How to Serve Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Recipe

Red Velvet Cheesecake - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I usually top mine with a generous swirl of cream cheese whipped cream for that tangy, light balance to the rich cake. Then, I sprinkle crushed Oreo pieces right on top — it’s a little extra cookie crunch that makes every bite exciting. If I’m feeling festive, I’ll add a few red sprinkles or even some white chocolate shavings for a classy touch.

Side Dishes

This cheesecake pairs wonderfully with simple fruit like raspberries or fresh strawberries, which add brightness and cut through the richness. I also like serving it alongside a scoop of vanilla bean ice cream or a dollop of lightly sweetened whipped cream for indulgence.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday dinners, I’ve decorated mine with edible glitter and fresh mint leaves to make the red really pop. Serving it on a white cake stand with little holiday ornaments around adds an instant festive vibe. If you’re taking it to a party, consider slicing into pretty triangles and plating each with a drizzle of chocolate sauce.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I store leftover cheesecake in an airtight container in the fridge where it stays creamy and fresh for up to a week. It’s perfect for planning ahead when you want to impress without last-minute hassle.

Freezing

Freezing cheesecake is totally doable! I wrap it tightly in plastic wrap followed by foil and freeze for up to three months. When it’s thawed in the fridge overnight, the texture is surprisingly close to fresh-baked, especially if you add whipped cream after thawing instead of before freezing.

Reheating

I generally don’t reheat cheesecake because it’s best served chilled, but if you prefer, bring just a slice to room temperature for about 20 minutes. This wakes up the flavors while keeping the texture perfect.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use other types of cookies instead of Oreos for the crust?

Absolutely! While Oreos are classic and delicious, you can substitute with other chocolate sandwich cookies, graham crackers, or even ginger snaps to change the flavor profile slightly.

Why is it important to use full-fat cream cheese?

Full-fat cream cheese provides the richest, creamiest texture and best flavor. Using reduced-fat or whipped types can make your cheesecake watery or less stable during baking.

Can I make this cheesecake in a larger pan?

Yes! You can make a 7-inch springform pan version without adjusting baking time much. For a 9-inch pan, see the recipe notes for some ingredient tweaks to keep the texture balanced.

How do I prevent cracks in my cheesecake?

Using a water bath, wrapping the pan in foil to prevent leaks, baking at a moderate temperature, and running a knife around the edges immediately after baking are key steps I use to keep my cheesecake crack-free. Cooling it slowly also helps!

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Oreo Cheesecake Recipe is truly one of those desserts I turn to when I want to impress but still keep things manageable in my kitchen. The balance of rich cream cheese, bold red velvet color, and Oreo crunch is a crowd-pleaser every time. Give it a try—you’ll be amazed at how festive and fabulous it tastes, and your friends will be asking for the recipe before the last slice is gone!