Introduction: How to Fix a Cracked Cheesecake
This Instructable will show you how to fix a crack in your cheesecake using hot water and an offset spatula.
Step 1: Cold Cheesecake
Start with a cold cheesecake.
Step 2: Push It Together
Push the crack together using your fingers. If it's a deep crack, push a little harder and from further away from the crack. If the cake sticks to your fingers, wet them with warm water.
Step 3: Sealing the Crack
Dip a small offset spatula into hot water. Use the spatula to smooth over the top of the cheesecake as seen on the left side of the cake in this picture.
Step 4: Finished!
Smooth over either the cracks or the whole cake as needed. The top will be slightly lighter where the inside of the cake was pulled over the top. A topping will cover this.
19 Comments
5 years ago
This is truly awesome advice. Thank you. With all the cheesecakes I've ever made, I've only had one crack. And yes it was due to the springform pan. Maybe I have used it too many times and need to change out however I am glad to have this information available should something like this happen again. Again thank you.
Reply 5 years ago
You're welcome.
12 years ago on Introduction
I think I have an easier solution:
Step 1: Eat Cheesecake
Step 2: Start Over
Step 3: Repeat as necessary.
Seriously though, good tip. :)
12 years ago on Introduction
Made my first cheesecake today and its cracked in several places...(sad face)...I really think the thing I did wrong was overbeating the batter...maybe even using slightly too high speed after adding the eggs (thanks for that tip). But how does one know if you've beaten too much? (Obviously I'm not a baker...LOL!) The first steps called for beating the cream cheese, vanilla and sugar until "fluffy" I thought I would need a higher speed to accomplish that and it was fluffy when I stopped, but even then I thought perhaps I had beat it too long. Any tips for knowing when to STOP beating the batter would be great!!! I'm sure that was the problem because otherwise the color looks terrific, etc.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
The batter doesn't necessarily have to be fluffy; you just want all the ingredients incorporated thoroughly. When combining the cream cheese and sugar, medium speed should be enough to do it. Just remember to start with all your ingredients at room temperature. Cream cheese, when cold, does not mix well at all.
12 years ago on Introduction
Hi Bizango!! I used to be a professional baker in a high production business, and I have two suggestions---
One: cooling slowly is #1 way to avoid cracking, and getting them out of the springform pan while warm (keeping the bottom on is okay) so they don't cling to the sides and the tension makes it crack---
Two: add a thin layer of thick sour cream blended with vanilla and a touch of sugar so it pools while the cakes are still slightly warm. It will set up enough to give you a smooth top when it gets cold.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Thanks for the reply. I appreciate it.
I was in the industry, too. I mentioned the slow cooling below. The point of the Instructable was to help those whose cake cracks. Personally, I use 3" straight sided cake pans for my cheesecakes; the springform pans, regardless of how high a quality, wore out from repeated high use.
The sour cream cover is good advice if one's not making a different flavor topping that might clash with it.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Me, too. I taught at the Texas Culinary Academy, a Le Cordon Bleu school and worked in a gourmet grocery store making their pastries. Anyway, I know about slow cooling. I didn't propose the sour cream topping b/c someone might want to use something else for a topping.
Regardless of everything the average home baker does, one might eventually get a crack, and my instructable just shows how to deal with it. =^)
12 years ago on Introduction
I suppose if your going to display the cheesecake b4 serving it may make a difference, at least to the baker, after the repair you can use a kitchen torch to carefully rebrown the top.. or ship the cracked one to me and make yourself another one....
12 years ago on Introduction
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12 years ago on Introduction
OMG! This is Great!
12 years ago on Introduction
I believe the crack is attributed to it being baked too long and possibly the heat was too high. I always have issues with cracked cheese cake, but found that if you put a pan of water under the cheese cake and lowering the temp it will not crack. But in a pinch, I love the quick fix! Thanks!!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Yes, a bain marie is one way to prevent cracking. Furthermore, you can start with all your ingredients at room temperature, particularly the dairy, which allows for better incorporation of each ingredient.
Second, once you start adding your eggs, add them one at a time on the slowest speed and scrape the bowl after each addition. If the mixer speed is too high, you could break the protein strands in the egg, which provide structure to the cake. Once eggs have been added, refrain from using any speed higher than the lowest for the same reason.
Also, the slower your cheesecake cools, the less likely is is to crack. I turn the oven off while the cake still have some baking to do....like 20 minutes before the timer is set to go off if you use one. An hour after that, I prop open the oven door to let it slowly come to room temperature.
12 years ago on Introduction
That looks to be one mighty fine cheesecake you've got there. You serve me a cheesecake like that and I wouldn't care if it had dad-gum Grand Canyon running through the middle of it. As far as I'm concerned the only thing that matters with food like this is how it eats, and I'm thinking this cheesecake would eat really nice indeed.
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
I agree. Of course with some strawberries on top, you'd never notice either. Very nice!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
Yes, that's true. However, the strawberries would fill the crack of the cake, and the cake would be difficult to cut nicely with the crack in it and the strawberries falling out of it. My friends and family don't care what it looks like, only what it tastes like. I guess repairing the crack is more for my benefit than anyone else's. :-)
12 years ago on Introduction
Thanks, Mr. Potato Head. That means my education proved to be of some value!
12 years ago on Introduction
Great tip!! I will be using it on my next cheesecake, Thanks!!
Reply 12 years ago on Introduction
thanks!