Do I have to cook my cheesecake in a water bath?

You can absolutely make a cheesecake without a traditional water bath. … The insulating cake strip helps insulate the cheesecake to ensure even baking across the cheesecake. The outer edges don’t cook and “set” too quickly or become over-baked (and prone to cracking) before the middle cooks!

Do you have to bake a cheesecake in a water bath?

Cheesecake batter is basically a custard. It’s delicate, so you want to bake it slowly and evenly without browning the top. The most effective way to do this is to bake it in a water bath. This water bath method bakes the cake very gently, so it won’t darken, curdle, or crack.

Does cooking cheesecake in a water bath take longer?

When you bake in a water bath, the water surrounding the pan will never get hotter than 212 degrees, no matter how hot the oven is. This gives the center of the cheesecake time to cook without overcooking the outside.

What happens if your cheesecake cracks?

Cracks form when the cheesecake gets too dry. But let’s say you do get a couple of cracks in your cheesecake‚ it’s really not a big deal. Unless it is very overbaked, your cheesecake will taste just as good. And no one need see those cracks: top your cheesecake with berries, chocolate shavings or whipped cream.

Is water bath same as steaming?

Steam canners do not heat food in the same manner as a boiling water canner. Most manufacturer claims for steam canners is that processes using less water saves time and energy.