You can absolutely make a cheesecake without a traditional water bath. … The insulating cake strip helps insulate the cheesecake to ensure even baking across the cheesecake. The outer edges don’t cook and “set” too quickly or become over-baked (and prone to cracking) before the middle cooks!
A water bath, also known as a bain marie, is simply a pan of hot water that protects your delicate cheesecake while it’s baking in the oven. This method not only helps the cheesecake not crack on top, but also ensures the cheesecake will come out smooth and creamy.
Do not attempt to remove your cheesecake from the pan until it has chilled overnight, at least 12 hours. This will ensure that it is firm enough to avoid breakage.
Turns out, you don’t need to add another pan to your kitchen because you CAN make a cheesecake without a springform pan. Smooth, creamy cheesecakes are a sweet way to elevate any special occasion. And if you’ve ever tackled one yourself, you know that most cheesecakes recipes call for a springform pan.
Baking a cheesecake is kind of like baking a souffle, except instead of encouraging rise, you combat it. Cheesecake doesn’t have the structure to sustain rising. Cream cheese can’t hold the air, so when it rises, it eventually collapses & cracks.
Baking the crust.
Trying to bake a crumb crust for a no-bake cheesecake will make for a soggy crust, as no-bake crusts have more fat. Trying to use a baked crust (even one with less butter) means your filling will ooze into the crust and make it soggy. … This makes for a sturdy crust when refrigerated.
Yes, many springform pans say they are leakproof, but you never want to risk a beautiful bake. Instead, Catherine recommends wrapping the pans in foil before setting them in the water bath or placing your springform inside a slightly larger traditional cake pan. Both methods work and keep your cake dry.
First, a water bath adds moisture to the oven and this is important for baking foods like cheesecakes, which tend to crack from the heat of the oven, or custards which can become rubbery without moist heat.
The secret to testing a cheesecake for doneness: Jiggle it. Define jiggle, you say. Gently shake the cheesecake (wearing oven mitts, of course). If the cheesecake looks nearly set and only a small circle in the center jiggles slightly, it’s done.
The Science of Cheesecake
A cheesecake that cracks too deeply will sink in the middle because there will not be enough structure to support its weight. Cheesecakes that completely cave in after baking and cooling are generally not cooked long enough to set the middle firmly.
Cover with plastic wrap or foil to keep the cake from drying out. If it is difficult to wrap the cake without marring the surface, return the cake to the pan and cover the pan with plastic wrap or foil. Refrigerate, covered, for up to 1 week.
This is to help prevent the batter from creeping up the side and then falling. You can even cut a piece of parchment paper (the same size as the bottom of your springform pan) and place on the bottom of the pan. … Because the cake remains on the pan’s base, the springform is perfect for cheesecakes.
Cheesecake must be refrigerated even after it has been baked. No one enjoys throwing out delicious foods, but if it has been compromised, it is for the best. Both milk and eggs are high in protein and the moisture that makes cheesecake especially prone to growing bacteria quickly.
Overbaked cheesecake will cause unattractive cracks and a dry, crumbly texture. Because cheesecake is a custard, it won’t be completely firm when done. The easiest way to make sure you don’t overbake it is to give it a little jiggle. Take a wooden spoon and give the cake pan a gentle tap on the side.
Even without a water bath, you can simply put your cheesecake back in the oven, even after it has already been in the fridge. In order to do that, set your oven to a low temperature and let the cheesecake slow-cook to the right temp. Come back to check every 5 minutes. It shouldn’t take more than 15-30 minutes.
Overmixing the Mixture
When you overmix the batter, more air is incorporated into the cheesecake batter. This causes the cheesecake to rise and fall, leaving cracks on the surface of it. This can be prevented by having all your ingredients at room temperature so you can mix less to get the ingredients incorporated.
A Glass Pan
You can bake a cheesecake in an oven-safe glass pan such as Pyrex. … While glass pans tend to heat more evenly than metal ones, they also act as insulators. Because glass pans retain so much heat, there’s always a higher chance your baked goods will burn on the sides.
Most cheesecakes should be baked at 325°F. The target temperature, the internal temperature of your cheesecake, should be 150 to 155°F.
Cool on a Wire Rack for One to Three Hours
Make sure that the cake cools completely before you set it in your fridge. When you do place your cheesecake in the fridge, cover the dessert with plastic wrap. What is this? Refrigerate the cheesecake for 24 hours, then serve.
You can just take the batter out of the fridge and allow it to reach room temperature before baking the cheesecake. It should only take one or two hours for the batter to reach room temperature.
For baked cheesecakes, acids such as lemon and orange juice as well as some alcohol are the best way to go about doing things. Not only do they provide a hint of flavor, but they can also keep your cheesecake as firm and thick as you can possibly have it.
For this reason, you need to let the cheesecake come down to room temperature before you put it in the freezer. Also, you can put the cheesecake in the freezer for a night or a minimum of four hours to ensure it solidifies perfectly. … Place the cheesecake on the stand and place the plastic wrap over the cake’s top.
Put pans in oven and pour hot water in large baking pan to reach 1 inch up sides of cake pan. Bake about 40 minutes until top looks firm and set. Cool cake in water bath for 15 minutes on a wire rack. Carefully remove cake from water bath and cool 1 hour more at room temperature.
You can tell if a cheesecake is done by checking the internal temperature with a quick-read thermometer. Stick the probe halfway into the cake—a baked cheesecake should read 150ºF.
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