Step-by-Step Guide: Creating a Perfect Water Bath for Cheesecake

aluminum foil Baking Baking Instructions Baking Method Bath Boiling Water Cheesecake Cooking Technique Cooling Cooling Rack Creating dessert Graham Cracker Crust Guide Homemade Kitchen Tips Oven Bag Oven Temperature Perfect Preventing Cracks Recipe Refrigeration Springform Pan StepByStep Water Water Bath

Posted September 11, 2023 by: Admin #Kitchen

Cheesecake water bath vs. cheesecake without water bath:

side by side comparison of cheesecakes baked with and without water baths

side by side shot of overhead cheesecakes baked with and without water baths

When you need a cheesecake water bath:

Any full-size cheesecake recipe, especially classic cheesecake or any recipe when you want to avoid cracks.

When you don’t need a water bath:

Cheesecake bars, mini cheesecakes, and no-bake cheesecake recipes don’t require a water bath. These variations are thinner and cook more evenly without one.

How to bake in a water bath when the recipe doesn’t call for one:

If a recipe doesn’t specify a water bath, it’s not necessary to use one.

However, if you want the benefits mentioned above, you can still prepare a water bath as described below. Since the water bath provides gentler heat, you’ll likely need to increase the baking time. Generally, you can bake at 325°F for about 1 hour 15 minutes, depending on the cheesecake batter volume.

What you need for a water bath:

A high-quality springform pan
Even the best springform pans are not completely “leakproof,” despite what the packaging claims. However, it’s important to use a heavy-duty, high-quality pan for durability and to prevent rusting.

A larger baking pan, cake pan, sauté pan, or roasting pan
This will serve as the water bath pan, so it should be able to fit the springform pan inside. Alternatively, you can place a large disposable foil pan on top of a rimmed sheet pan for the water bath. The pan should ideally be a few inches larger than the springform pan.
If you don’t have a pan large enough, there are alternative options listed at the end of this article. Keep in mind that they may not be as effective as a proper water bath.

Wide heavy duty aluminum foil
This helps prevent leaks, so make sure it is wider than the diameter of the springform pan to avoid water seeping through the foil’s seams and cracks.

A heat-safe oven bag or slow cooker bag
This is an optional bonus. Wrapping the springform pan in a heat-safe oven bag provides additional protection against water seepage. You can use both foil and a bag for added security.

Boiling water
A kettle with a spout is the easiest and safest way to boil water and pour it into the roasting pan without splashing any onto the cheesecake batter.