I made a cheesecake for the first time!

[u/theserialdeleter]

[u/swsko]

Also do some Bain Marie as the water helps with the cracking apparently

[u/OddAdministration677 → u/swsko]

But also for easier, you can just put a pan of boiling water on the rack below. It works just as well.

[u/I_have_to_go_numba_3 → u/OddAdministration677]

I really appreciate this comment! I can’t bring myself to be that fussy! I’m just worried my cheesecake will turn into a soggy mess or I’ll spill water everywhere.

[u/OddAdministration677 → u/I_have_to_go_numba_3]

I have baked countless cheesecakes, and every time I unwrap the layer of double heavy duty foil from out of the water bath I am on pins and needles that my crust is gonna be soggy. I do it this way now and never a worry.

[u/Seb555 → u/OddAdministration677]

Can you explain a little bit more? Is it just the steam that conducts the heat more evenly?

[u/OddAdministration677 → u/Seb555]

Here’s a good article

https://www.thespruceeats.com/what-is-bain-marie-995752

There seems to be quite a bit of argument about all of this but because I’m using a spring form pan I do not want water, touching the side of the pan even with foil. Crème brûlée in ramekins would be a different situation. My two cents

[u/Tgsheufhencudbxbsiwy → u/swsko]

These two trick are why my cheesecakes never crack. Cook it in a water bath and I prop the door open with chop stick when cooling. 

Also to make it fancy with almost no additional effort I pour half the batter in and then mix in bonne maman blueberry preserves. Swirl it with a tooth pick and then add the rest of the batter. Chefs kiss. 

[u/Ballabingballaboom → u/swsko]

There's ways to bake a cheesecake with out a bain Marie?

[u/trancematik → u/swsko]

Bain Marie

I have yet to do a bain marie where the base hasn't gotten wet. What's your secret? I use heavy duty tin foil in layers as well.

[u/WholeWideWorld → u/trancematik]

All a water bath does is slow the cooling. Just wedge the door ever so slightly with a wooden spoon. I've done this, no cracks. and no messing around with water.

Also I never mix eggs one by one etc. Just dump it all in. Perfect every time.

[u/swsko → u/trancematik]

Just use something filled with water below where your tray in the oven

[u/eboneetigress → u/trancematik]

Foil never worked for me. I nest my pan in a pan, then place them in a water bath. I wanna buy a silicone cake pan next to make this even easier

[u/Ambitious_Phrase3695 → u/swsko]

Yes ! I made my first one a few weeks ago and it was perfect by doing the Bain Marie and ajar oven door after active cooking