By Lindy Van Schalkwyk, last updated on October 3, 2024
We are often asked, “Is cheesecake hard to make?” Once you have perfected the essential tricks for these cakes, it is an absolute breeze!
Cheesecakes don’t have to be as difficult as people make them out to be. But, you have to follow each step exactly and unfortunately, that is time-consuming. But, there is nothing better than an uber creamy and luscious cheesecake made at home.
Is Cheesecake Hard To Make? What Is The Secret To A Good Cheesecake?
There is nothing better than a soft, creamy, and flavor-packed cheesecake. A good cheesecake should be light and airy, but also a little dense. The texture should be smooth with a hint of either lemon or vanilla.
Cheesecake usually has a crumb which should complement the flavor and texture of the cheesecake. And, it should be buttery and rich.
Good cheesecakes should be able eaten without any toppings or accompaniments. And, when paired with garnishes, they should be able to work equally well too.
Is Cheesecake Hard To Make?
Cheesecakes are not hard to make, but if you don’t know the rules of making cheesecake, it can seem like an impossible challenge!
They do require patience and a little bit of skill to make sure they are perfect!
Be sure to always follow the recipe closely and only make recipes from reliable sites, like ours (wink-wink)! We’ve included a crash course of tips and tricks for making the perfect delicious creamy cheesecake. Now, the question is no longer “is cheesecake hard to make” but rather how to easily make a good one?
How To Fix Cheesecake Mistakes – Is Cheesecake Hard To Make?
We’ve all had our fair share of disastrous bakes! But, how do we fix them, especially something as tricky as cheesecake?
The best option is preventing the mistake from the get-go, which is why our tips mentioned above are so great. They can be used to create the perfect cheesecake without worrying about fixing mistakes.
However, sometimes they do happen and you can still fix them. So here are the ins and outs of cheesecake mistakes.
Cracked Cheesecake
Over Baking
Cheesecakes crack when they are baked for too long. Basically, the cheesecake loses too much moisture and then cracks.
Avoid over baking a cheesecake by removing it at the correct time. The cheesecake is ready when it’s set, but still jiggly in the middle.
Over Mixing
Over mixing the cheesecake batter is one of the most common reasons cheesecakes crack. When mixing the cheesecake ingredients, air is incorporated into the batter which allows the cheesecake to rise. Over mixing will incorporate too much air.
So, when the cheesecake is baked and the batter rises, there isn’t enough structural support to hold the risen ingredients. This causes the cheesecake to fall back down and crack.
To prevent over mixing, use room temperature ingredients and only mix them until they are just combined.
Incorrect Baking Temperature
Blind spots or incorrect temperatures are a common fault in ovens. Too high baking temperature will result in cracked cheesecakes because they rise before the supporting ingredients can set and hold the lift.
Be sure to check your oven temperature by using a manual oven temperature gauge.
How To Fix A Cracked Cheesecake
Although cracked cheesecakes are not ideal, this is one of the mistakes that you can cover up or disguise!
The easiest way to fix a cracked cheesecake is by simply adding a topping! A pile of fresh fruit or a chocolate ganache will cover up the cracks and leave your cheesecake looking beautiful!
Another way to fix a cracked cheesecake is by placing it in the refrigerator for a few hours. The cheesecake is much easier to work with when it’s chilled. Using your hands, slightly press the cheesecake so the cracks come together. Then, use a hot offset spatula to gently smooth any irregularities on the surface of the cracks.
Wipe your offset spatula when you’re smoothing out the cracks. Repeat this step until your cheesecake is completely smooth and crack-free.
Curdled Cheesecake
Curdling usually happens when the cheesecake is baked at too high temperature or gets over-baked. But, it can also happen if the cheesecake mixture is not made according to the recipe.
Curdling can be prevented by making sure you follow the correct steps when mixing the batter and baking the cheesecake. Using a water bath when baking a cheesecake also ensures that your cheesecake bakes evenly and helps prevent curdling.
Cheesecakes can also curdle after being baked. If the cheesecake cools too quickly, it will curdle.
How Do I Fix A Curdled Cheesecake?
Unfortunately, once a cheesecake is curdled, there is no going back! Be sure to taste the cheesecake before tossing it!
Curdled products have a grainy and lumpy texture, but if you’re willing to look past it, you can still eat a flavorful cheesecake.
Sunken Cheesecake
Sunken cheesecakes happen because there is no structure to support the cheesecake. This can be due to improper recipe ratios, but most likely because the mixture was over-mixed.
Over mixing the cheesecake batter incorporates too much air (the same cause of cracked cheesecake). During baking, the other ingredients haven’t set yet and cannot support the risen ingredients. So, the cheesecake sinks in.
The cheesecake will always sink in when over-mixed, but it won’t necessarily crack.
Cheesecakes can also sink in if they were not baked for long enough or if the oven was opened too soon. Again, this is because there isn’t any other support to hold the raw or risen ingredients.
Make sure to not over mix the mixture and to bake the cheesecake long enough.
How Can I Fix A Sunken Cheesecake?
Sunken cheesecakes can’t be revived to a fuller cheesecake. Your best bet is to make sure the cheesecake is baked through even though it has sunken. Add fresh fruit or a topping to disguise the sunken center.
Burnt Cheesecake
Why Did My Cheesecake Burn?
Cheesecakes usually burn because the oven temperature is too high or if the cheesecake was left in the oven too long.
Make sure to check your oven temperature with a manual temperature gauge and to set a timer!
How Can I Fix A Burnt Cheesecake?
Once a cheesecake has burnt, there is no way to save it! Cutting away burnt edges will not help either because the burnt flavor will still be in the rest of the cheesecake batter. But, at least you won’t eat charred pieces.
Conclusion – Is Cheesecake Hard To Make?
So, is cheesecake hard to make? Hopefully, you can now also say that it isn’t hard to make, you just need to know the correct way to make it. Let us know if you’d like any other tips and tricks for cheesecake and please share this article with anyone who has trouble with these creamy cakes.
FAQs
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Lindy Van Schalkwyk is a culinary specialist with a background in Advanced Cooking, Advanced Pâtisserie, Media Communications and Nutrition. She has gained invaluable experience in the culinary industry having worked in some of the top restaurants in Africa in 2016 and 2017. Her expertise in nutrition has enabled her to develop recipes for special dietary needs. In 2018, Lindy began working in the Food Media industry, focusing on recipe development, recipe writing, food writing and food styling.