How to Tell if a Cheesecake is Done

PDF download Download Article
PDF download Download Article

Cheesecake, whether you like New York or Italian style, is a light and delicious dessert. Because it contains a fair amount of milk or cream in addition to soft cheese, it can be hard to tell when it is done. However, there are several things you can do to determine if your cheesecake is ready, such as testing the temperature, gently shaking the pan, and touching the surface of the cake.

Method 1
Method 1 of 4:

Shaking the Cake

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Cheesecake is Done
    While the cheesecake is still in the oven, use an oven mitt to gently shake the pan. Don’t be too rough with your still-warm dessert or it may crack. Simply jiggle the pan a small amount. Take care not to get water in the pan if you have baked your cheesecake using a water bath. [1]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Cheesecake is Done
    When you shake the pan and a 2 in (5.1 cm) area in the center jiggles slightly, the cheesecake is done. If there is a large, jiggly area, or if liquid breaks the surface or sloshes over the edges of the pan, the cheesecake is not finished cooking. Bake the cheesecake for another 5 minutes or so before checking it again for doneness.
    Advertisement
  3. If you used a fair amount of sour cream in your cheesecake, it will jiggle more than a cake that is filled primarily with cream cheese or ricotta. There will be a large soft spot in the center, so look for slightly brown, puffed-up edges to indicate when the cheesecake is done. Keep in mind, also, that the center will continue cook and firm up slightly as the cheesecake cools. [2]
    • If you continue cooking the cheesecake until the center is firm and doesn’t jiggle it will be baked for too long.
    4. Advertisement
Method 2
Method 2 of 4:

Touching the Surface

PDF download Download Article
  1. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Cheesecake is Done
    Before touching the cheesecake, thoroughly wash your hands with warm water and soap. Rinse your hands to remove the soap residue and dry them completely.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Cheesecake is Done
    Gently touch the surface of the center of the cheesecake with 1 or 2 fingers. Don’t press too hard! You want to check the doneness in the middle of the cake, rather than near the edges. [3]
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Cheesecake is Done
    If the surface of the cheesecake has a little bit of give but feels firm, the cake is done. If your finger sinks into the cake or comes away with batter on it, the cake needs more time in the oven. Bake it for another 5 minutes before checking it again. [4]
    4. Advertisement
Method 3
Method 3 of 4:

Looking at the Cake

PDF download Download Article
  1. You can tell a cheesecake is done when a 1 ⁄ 2 inch (1.3 cm) ring around the the edge begins to brown and puff up slightly from the pan. The filling should still be pale, rather than golden. Don’t allow it to continue cooking, or it can end up over baked. [5]
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Cheesecake is Done
    If the edges are liquid, rather than set and firm, your cheesecake isn’t done yet. Only the middle 2 inches (5 cm) should still be jiggly rather than firm when your cheesecake is perfectly baked.
  3. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Cheesecake is Done
    Once the surface of the cheesecake is no longer shiny, it’s done! Make sure the entire cake, including the soft center, have lost their shine before removing the cake from the oven. [6]
    • Some bakers prefer to let the cheesecake cool in the oven. Turn off the heat and let the cake sit in the oven with the door cracked about 1 inch (2.5 cm) for 1 hour. At that point, take the pan out of the oven, remove the springform pan from the water bath (if applicable), and let the cheesecake cool completely before taking it out of the springform pan. [7]
    4. Advertisement
Method 4
Method 4 of 4:

Checking the Temperature

PDF download Download Article
  1. You don’t want to have to wait several minutes while the thermometer determines the temperature, so choose an instant-read variety. Make sure it gets cleaned after each use. [8]
    • You should occasionally calibrate your thermometer to be sure it gives an accurate reading. To do so, fill a small pan with water and bring it to a rolling boil. Take the water’s temperature—it should be 212 °F (100 °C).
    • Turn the hex bolt at the bottom of an analog thermometer to calibrate the temperature if it is incorrect. Consult the manufacturer’s directions to calibrate a digital thermometer.
  2. Watermark wikiHow to Tell if a Cheesecake is Done
    The edges may be warmer than the center, so to know if your cake is done, you’ll need to test the temperature in the middle. Don’t push the thermometer down to the bottom of the pan, simply stick it halfway through the cake. [9]
    • Keep in mind that sticking a thermometer in the cheesecake may cause it to crack, so try to only test the temperature once, rather than multiple times. If you must test it more than once, stick the thermometer in the same hole you used the first time to minimize cracking.
  3. Once the center of the cheesecake reaches 150 °F (66 °C), the cake is done! Take it out of the oven and allow it to cool completely on a wire rack. If it is not yet done, put it back in the oven for about 5 minutes, then check it again to see if it is done. Repeat until you get a reading of 150 °F (66 °C). [10]
    • Chill the cheesecake before you remove it from the pan.
    • If it is not completely chilled, it may stick or crack.
    4. Advertisement

Community Q&A

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    I don't feel comfortable doing the warm bath and foil around the pan. Will the other steps and ideas work without doing that?
    The Hungry Bites
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can test if a cheesecake is done with the above methods even if you don't use the waterbath method. The waterbath helps the cheesecake to bake more evenly, since it prevents the edges from cooking too fast and the center remaining uncooked.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 7
  • Question
    How do I know when a cheesecake is done if it's a no bake, set in the fridge cake?
    Rachel Lyon-Student
    Community Answer
    Depending on the type of cheesecake, usually it is fine to take out if it has developed a skin, and is firm in the middle. It is hard to over-sit a fridge cheesecake. I'd say give it a few hours.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 0 Helpful 4
  • Question
    When freezing the cheesecake, do I freeze it in or out of the spring form pan?
    Rebekah
    Community Answer
    Freeze the cheesecake in the spring form pan.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 10 Helpful 2
Ask a Question
200 characters left
Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.
Submit
      Advertisement

      Video

      Read Video Transcript

      Tips

      • Try not to open the oven door while your cheesecake is cooking. Doing so can lower the temperature and lead to an unevenly baked cake.
        Thanks
        Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
      Submit a Tip
      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published
      Name
      Please provide your name and last initial
      Submit
      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!
      Advertisement

      Warnings

      • Don’t test a cheesecake’s doneness by poking it with a toothpick or knife. It won’t give you an accurate assessment and can also create a crack in the filling. [11]
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      Advertisement

      You Might Also Like

      How to
      Get Cheesecake Out of a Springform Pan
      How to
      Keep Cheesecake from Cracking
      Advertisement

      References

      1. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/bake/what-is-the-best-way-to-check-if-a-baked-cheesecake-is-done/
      2. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/bake/what-is-the-best-way-to-check-if-a-baked-cheesecake-is-done/
      3. ↑ https://www.pastrywiz.com/dailyrecipes/recipes/598.htm
      4. ↑ https://www.pastrywiz.com/dailyrecipes/recipes/598.htm
      5. ↑ https://www.bonappetit.com/test-kitchen/common-mistakes/article/cheesecake-common-mistakes
      6. ↑ https://www.rockrecipes.com/how-to-bake-the-perfect-cheesecake-every-time/
      7. ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-perfect-cheesecake-recipe-cooking-lessons-from-the-kitchen-110760
      8. ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/Cake/cheesecaketip.htm
      9. ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/Cake/cheesecaketip.htm
      1. ↑ https://whatscookingamerica.net/Cake/cheesecaketip.htm
      2. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/bake/what-is-the-best-way-to-check-if-a-baked-cheesecake-is-done/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      To tell if a cheesecake is done, insert an instant-read cooking thermometer halfway into the center of the cake. Take the cheesecake out of the oven when the center reaches 150 °F. If you don’t have a cooking thermometer, use an oven mitt and gently shake the cheesecake pan while it’s still in the oven. When the cheesecake is finished cooking, only a 2 inch area in the center of the cake will jiggle slightly, although a sour cream cheesecake will jiggle more than one made with primarily cream cheese or ricotta. For more tips from our Baker reviewer, including how to tell if a cheesecake is done just by looking at it, read on!

      Did this summary help you?
      In other languages
      Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 339,737 times.

      Reader Success Stories

      • Sherry Dickson

        Oct 8, 2019

        "I am a home economics teacher from a way back (they don't even call it that anymore!). You are a fount of ..." more
      More reader stories Hide reader stories
      Share your story

      Did this article help you?

      Advertisement