How To Tell If A Cheesecake Is Done

Cheesecake is one of the iconic and popular baked goods in the United States.

Cheesecake has long been one of America’s favorite desserts for centuries, with reports of annual sales exceeding the 400 million mark. It’s safe to say that there is no shortage in demand and desire for this mouthwatering dessert.

With the growing home baking industry being a popular market throughout the United States and the rest of the world, many home bakers set out to create and bring to life their recipes in many different forms, shapes, and sizes, and cheesecake wasn’t missed out.

With the vast amount of recipes at the click of a button, you won’t find yourself short of new exciting ways and recipes for any cakes you desire. With options from vegan to gluten-free, the possibilities are endless. 

But what if you have already mastered your favorite recipes and are still finding yourself with the pervasive question of how to tell if the cheesecake is cooked?

But what can be so hard about knowing if your masterpiece is thoroughly cooked?

If you’re familiar with cheesecakes already, you will know that not all cheesecakes are supposed to be cooked in an oven. Nonetheless, we will also discover a simple and easy method to know when your cheesecake is set.

In today’s walkthrough, we shall explore several key steps you should follow if you want to be sure that your cheesecake is cooked to perfection.

Those cheesecakes do require baking. After all, no one wants a raw, undercooked cheesecake.

How To Set A Cheesecake

The fastest and most effective way to set any cheesecake that doesn’t require baking is straightforward and only requires a refrigerator.

For the best results when it comes to setting your cheesecake, it’s always good to leave sufficient time to allow the cheesecake to firm and set as desired before serving,

Please note these times may vary depending on your refrigerator’s climate and the cheesecake’s size.

  • Place the cheesecake in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours before serving. Leaving the cheesecake to set for 24 hours is a more effective way to ensure the cheesecake is set perfectly.
  • To determine if the cheesecake is correctly set, gently shake it in its mold or dish. Whilst shaking it, check that the outside edges are firm and the middle is slightly jiggly. 

If the cheesecake appears to be set by eye and the middle jiggles, your cheesecake is set.

Please note that if you have not correctly mixed the ingredients or made a mistake when making the cheesecake, your cake may not be set. 

All tho it’s not recommended, you can also poke a knife gently into the cheesecake depending on its fondant or decorations to check if it has been set correctly. Please note you may split and crack the top face of the cheesecake.

How To Tell If A Cheesecake Is Cooked

In today’s guide’s section, we will explore two simple and easy methods to tell if your baked cheesecake is finished cooking. As mentioned earlier, plenty of no-bake cheesecake recipes are out there, and some simply don’t require to be cooked.

If your cheesecake does require baking, fear not. The two methods in today’s guide make the process of checking if your baked cheesecake is cooked to perfection.

Thermometer Method

Our first and most effective method to check whether your cheesecake is cooked is using a digital or traditional food thermometer.

These can be found cheaply online for several bucks depending on your budget. We have linked a trustworthy food thermometer below for you to check out.

Bilson Food Thermometer

  • Once your thermometer is ready, insert the thermometer probe into the center of your freshly baked cheesecake.
  • The optimal temperature for a baked cheesecake is 150ºF.

Unfortunately, this method can mark the finish on top. Like many of the bakers working extremely hard on their presentation, you may not want to insert a food thermometer. 

Wobble Test

Our second method is almost the same as how you check to see if your cheesecake is set.

You can also check if your cheesecake is done by trying something called the wobble test by doing the following.

  • Cooked for the required amount of time
  • Remove your cheesecake from the oven using mitts or oven gloves
  • Take your cheesecake while still wearing gloves and gently shake it.
  • Check for a subtle wobble throughout the cheesecakes structure
  • If still watery or sloshy, return to the oven till cooked thoroughly.
  • Start wobble test again.

The perfect consistency you’re looking for is a mildly firm cheesecake structure with a gentle wobble, almost like traditional jelly. It’s worth noting that you can also do the wobble test on many other types of cakes and baked goods.

Questions

  • How long does it take for a cheesecake to sit in the fridge? – No less than four hours. No more than 24 hours.

Summary

So as we have discovered, there are several ways to tell if a cheesecake is perfectly done. Whether set in the fridge or baked in the oven, we have found some simple yet effective ways to know exactly when our cheesecake is at that perfect point of setting or baking.

It’s always crucial to remember that you can’t rush perfection. Some cheesecakes may take longer than others to set and bake.

Always keep a good eye when your cheesecake is setting or baking because it is a matter of perfect timing and patience when it comes to setting any cheesecake.

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Kathryn Sewell

Hi! I'm Kate and I have been baking and cooking for as long as I can remember. I like to share the most interesting tips and recipes I try here on What Kate Baked for you to enjoy. If you have a favorite recipe you'd like to share send it over on social.

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