Mastering Cheesecake: The Ideal Internal Temperature You Need

By Zarah Grace, last updated on October 11, 2024

Generally, cheesecake is one of the best desserts. But, how to tell if you baked your cheesecake well? The answer is cheesecake internal temperature.

Besides, if you remove your cheesecake too soon, you will have a soft and soggy mess that will not hold its structure. And if you bake the cheesecake for too long, you may have a curdled texture and burnt top.

Again, you can tell if your cheesecake is perfectly cooked by checking its internal temperature using a quick-read thermometer. To use the thermometer, stick the probe halfway into your cheesecake, and a perfectly baked cheesecake should read a temperature of 150 degrees Fahrenheit.

But, testing your cheesecake’s internal temperature using a thermometer can ruin its top, and it could be a shame to poke holes in the cheesecake that you worked hard to create.

Cheesecake Internal Temperature

Can I use a meat thermometer on cheesecake? Essentially, different recipes require specific internal cooking temperatures. For example, roast and egg-based desserts such as cheesecake need a thermometer to tell the difference between a perfectly cooked dish and an overcooked one.

And thermometers can be handy when cooking as it is functional. Besides, all-purpose digital thermometers have two types, an analog thermometer, and an instant-read or quick-read thermometer.

You must consider that the display on an instant-read thermometer takes about twenty to thirty seconds to give an accurate temperature reading. Likewise, you can utilize all-purpose thermometers for meat, baked goods, and anything that needs an internal temperature reading.

However, when used in meat, ensure to sanitize the thermometer to avoid cross-contamination. Also, it is best to keep in mind that the meat thermometer’s purpose is in its name, to measure the temperature of meat, and it ranges from 140 degrees to 220 degrees Fahrenheit.

So the question is, can you use a meat thermometer to measure the internal temperature of a cheesecake? The answer is no. Please note that an instant-read thermometer and a meat thermometer are two different tools.

For the most part, instant-read thermometers are suitable for taking quick measurements, while you have to leave the meat thermometers inside the meat while it cooks.

Moreover, what should the internal temperature of a cheesecake be? It is always a pleasure to serve a crowd-favorite, simple, versatile dessert to your guests or loved ones. And cheesecake is the best option you could make if you want a crowd-pleasing dessert.

Also, you can bake your cheesecake perfectly every single time with proper temperature control. When you remove the cheesecake from your oven, its internal temperature should reach about 145 degrees Fahrenheit or 63 degrees Celsius. At this rate, your cheesecake is still a bit jiggly. However, the residual heat will cook your cheesecake as it rests.

Furthermore, baking needs precision, especially when making cheesecakes. So, if you have underbaked cheesecake, it will not set properly.

And if you have overbaked cheesecake, it will tend to be burnt and dry. That is why when baking cheesecake, the time and temperature must be correct.

Please note that the temperature is essential to making successful cheesecakes. In addition to that, the internal temperature of a cooked cheesecake should reach about 150 degrees Fahrenheit. So a good and reliable, quick-read thermometer is a must to make the perfect cheesecake.

The internal temperature of cheesecake when it’s done

For the most part, how can you tell that your cheesecake is done? And what is the internal temperature of cheesecake when done baking? But before I answer that, when we say something is ready, it means that your baked good like cheesecake is fully baked and safe for consumption.

It is similar to doneness in cooking. Also, the evaluation of the degree of doneness varies on what baked good are you trying to make and the texture you want to accomplish. For making cheesecakes, you should look for a firm and velvety texture with a creamy, custardy center, and not a lumpy or cracked cheesecake.

Moreover, you can tell if your cheesecake is perfectly done baking when there is a jiggle in the cheesecake’s center. Plus, ensuring that the batter does not stick to your finger when touched. And by tapping it or by the brown edge appearance around your cheesecake with a dry surface.

But the doubtless and most foolproof way to tell if your cheesecake is ready is by checking the internal temperature of your cheesecake through an instant-read thermometer.

So, when you check the cheesecake’s internal temperature, insert your thermometer in the center of your cheesecake as it is the part where it takes the longest to cook. Besides, to get the most accurate temperature, stick the pointy metal stem halfway into your cheesecake, and you can tell if it is ready if the internal temperature of your cheesecake is between 150 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit.

Cheesecake’s maximum temperature

What is the maximum temperature for cheesecake? You have to consider that the baking temperature determines the texture of your cheesecake. Also, cheesecake is like a custard, and custards tend to overcook easily.

Moreover, you have to remember that an overbaked cheesecake will crack. In addition to that, it will have a dry and gritty texture. And most of the time, egg proteins in the cheesecake can become firm and tightly coiled when cooked quickly at a high temperature, not to mention it can become silky-smooth and creamy when baked at a low temperature.

So with that to achieve a lighter cheesecake with a toasty brown top, you will have to bake it in a three-step process. First, you must bake it at about 450 degrees Fahrenheit or 232 degrees Celsius for about twenty minutes.

Next, the following step is to turn off your oven and prop the oven door to keep it open using a wooden spoon for about ten minutes, allowing some heat to vent out. Then, ensure to turn your oven back on, set the baking temperature to 250 degrees Fahrenheit or about 121 degrees Celsius, close the door, and let it finish baking.

Besides, if you are looking for a denser cheesecake, you have to place the cheesecake and bake your cheesecake inside an oven at 250 degrees Fahrenheit or 121 degrees Celsius for the entire baking time.

Also, you can bake your cheesecake at 325 degrees Fahrenheit instead of 350 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit. Please note that this temperature will prevent your cheesecake from over-baking and burning.

Nevertheless, the baking time depends on the size of your pan. In most cases, the maximum and best temperature for baking cheesecake is 325 degrees Fahrenheit. And the ideal internal temperature for a cheesecake is 145 to 155 degrees Fahrenheit.