There are benefits to preparing and using a water bath when baking cheesecakes or custards. For one thing, it will keep your cheesecake from cracking and will prevent the filling from drying out. Plus, it will prevent the cheesecake springform pan from leaking in your oven.
A water bath is simply a pan of hot water, which will low boil when baking your cheesecake. It will be very hot! Be sure to leave your cheesecake cooling in the oven, in the water bath, for an hour after the baking is complete. Just turn your oven off, leave the oven door slightly open and walk away for an hour.
Since you will be setting your filled cheesecake springform pan in the water bath, it is important to select a pan that your springform pan can easily sit in without tilting it or forcing it. I have an oversized cake pan that I use. The size of your springform pan will determine what size you need for the water bath.
For instance, I use a 9" springform pan and an old 18" x 12" sheet cake pan. (that is all I use that cake pan for now because the coating is ruined)
How to Make a Water Bath for Cheesecake
When you have used a water bath for the first time, you will realize how very easy it is to set up.
Since I have been asked the "what" question several times, I realize that just saying "bake your cheesecake in a water bath" is lacking in information. Therefore, I'll share exactly what to do to make a cheesecake water bath here.
Step 1: Wrap your springform pan in aluminum foil to prevent the water leaking into the cheesecake pan. I use heavy duty 18" wide aluminum foil, but you can use two pieces of standard, everyday 12" aluminum foil by folding them together with a seam that will not leak to create one large piece of foil.Step 2: Set your filled cheesecake springform pan in the wider cake pan.
Step 3: Add hot water in the wide cake pan, halfway up the outside of the springform pan.
Step 4: Place in the oven & bake according to recipe.
Step 5: Turn off the oven and leave the cheesecake in the water bath in the oven for one hour to cool.
Note: The cheesecake and hot water together can be very heavy. You may prefer to set your cheesecake in an empty cake pan in the oven, then add the hot water using a oven proof measuring cup.
Click Here to See My Cheesecake Recipe Published on Review This Reviews!
Wilton W6516 Perfect Results Sheet Cake PanCheck PriceCalphalon Nonstick Bakeware, Spring Form Pan, 9-inchCheck PriceReynolds Wrap Heavy Duty Aluminum Foil, 18 inch, 37.5 Square-Foot Roll (Pack of 1)Check Price
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How to Make a Water Bath for Cheesecake Baking Review Written by:
© 2022 Cynthia Sylvestermouse
I have never actually baked a cheesecake, but now that I know how to use a water-bath, I will have to give it a try. Thanks for explaining this baking tip so well, Sylvestermouse.
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love cheesecake!! However, I have not baked one in a really long time. I will certainly bear this water bath technique and all your useful baking tips in mind whenever I bake another one. Thank you so much!
ReplyDeleteI have been baking cheesecakes since I was a teenager and almost always use the water bath method for gentle even heating, to prevent cracking. I find that cheesecakes also come out with a creamier texture using this method. Like you, I prefer extra-wide, heavy duty foil to ensure that none of the hot water can leak inside the seam of the clamped springform pan (which happened to me once many, many years ago before I learned the trick of interlocking two regular-width sheets of foil). Great tips for anyone who wants to bake successful, smooth-topped, creamy cheesecakes!
ReplyDeleteGreat tip to prevent water leaking! Old school water baths are the best!
ReplyDeleteI've never used a water bath for cheesecake, what a good idea. I use a water bath to make rice pudding in the oven, but I can see the benefits for the base of a cheesecake as you described. Good tip. Thank you.
ReplyDeletePerfect step-by-step for a cheesecake water bath. Great tip with the tin foil we use it also. We will all be looking for that cheesecake recipe!!! Can't wait!!
ReplyDelete