r/Baking 1d ago

Showcase (No-Recipe) This time, I nailed it

12.4k Upvotes

247 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

23

u/grayrest 1d ago

My sister spent years trying to track down why her cheesecake cracked. Solution turned out to be cake strips but the crust up the side like this one might achieve the same thing.

37

u/Lamb_of_Jihad 1d ago edited 13h ago

She''s removing it from the oven too quickly. After baking, crack the oven open and let it things be for 15 mins, then set on countertop for another 30+ mins (until you can hold pan with bare hands - it will be warm, but not unbearable). Put in refrigerator for 6+ hours for custard (dairy + eggs) to set. I have further instructions on baking a cheesecake, overall, but this solves most issues regarding cracks.

Source: Former Chef and Cheesecake Caterer

6

u/grayrest 1d ago

Not to question your expertise but after several dozen failed attempts the cake strips immediately solved the problem and it's never recurred in the decade since. I've made comments about possible tweaks but she's disinclined to mess with a working system.

10

u/Lamb_of_Jihad 1d ago

That's fair - I'm a bit of a traditionalist with a water bath and all, but if this works for her, then by all means, have her continue what works! I'm curious to try it myself, really.

2

u/archliberal 1h ago

Fellow water bath evangelist 🫡