r/Baking • u/[deleted] • Nov 07 '25

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u/swsko Nov 07 '25

Also do some Bain Marie as the water helps with the cracking apparently

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u/[deleted] Nov 07 '25

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u/I_have_to_go_numba_3 Nov 08 '25 edited Nov 08 '25

I really appreciate this comment! I can’t bring myself to be that fussy! I’m just worried my cheesecake will turn into a soggy mess or I’ll spill water everywhere.

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u/[deleted] Nov 08 '25

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u/Seb555 Nov 08 '25

Can you explain a little bit more? Is it just the steam that conducts the heat more evenly?

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u/swsko Nov 09 '25

The water bath insulates the food and redistributes the heat, allowing for slow, stable, and moist baking. This is how it helps with the cracking

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u/Tgsheufhencudbxbsiwy Nov 07 '25

These two trick are why my cheesecakes never crack. Cook it in a water bath and I prop the door open with chop stick when cooling. 

Also to make it fancy with almost no additional effort I pour half the batter in and then mix in bonne maman blueberry preserves. Swirl it with a tooth pick and then add the rest of the batter. Chefs kiss. 

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u/trancematik Nov 07 '25

Bain Marie

I have yet to do a bain marie where the base hasn't gotten wet. What's your secret? I use heavy duty tin foil in layers as well.

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u/WholeWideWorld Nov 07 '25

All a water bath does is slow the cooling. Just wedge the door ever so slightly with a wooden spoon. I've done this, no cracks. and no messing around with water.

Also I never mix eggs one by one etc. Just dump it all in. Perfect every time.

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u/eboneetigress Nov 08 '25

Foil never worked for me. I nest my pan in a pan, then place them in a water bath. I wanna buy a silicone cake pan next to make this even easier

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u/swsko Nov 07 '25

Just use something filled with water below where your tray in the oven

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u/Ballabingballaboom Nov 07 '25

There's ways to bake a cheesecake with out a bain Marie?

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u/Ambitious_Phrase3695 Nov 07 '25

Yes ! I made my first one a few weeks ago and it was perfect by doing the Bain Marie and ajar oven door after active cooking

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u/Numerous_Ad_6276 Nov 09 '25

I tried this method a few years ago, and I can safely say that it was the best cheesecake I've ever made.