5 Cheesecake Mistakes to Avoid

Cheesecake is one of the most decadent, delicious desserts. It's also a dessert that is easy to make at home. However, one wrong move can ruin a dessert that costs a pretty penny to make. If you've experienced cracked cheesecakes, leaking springform pans or tasteless cheesecake, take heart in knowing that these mistakes are easy to avoid. Here are just five cheesecake mistakes to avoid.

Using Cream Cheese That Isn't Room Temperature

One of the biggest mistakes people make when making cheesecake is that they get in a hurry. However, cream cheese needs to be at room temperature or the batter will not come together. Instead of having a creamy batter, you'll have a batter that looks more like cottage cheese. Do yourself a favor and set your cream cheese out at least two hours in advance.

Trusting the Pan

Springform pans can be tricky. I was once making a cheesecake that had a brownie base and the batter leaked all over the oven. Not only was my cheesecake ruined, but I had to clean the oven too. You can run water into your pan to see if it leaks, but I also suggest wrapping the pan in heavy duty aluminum foil.

Over-Baking the Cake

A cheesecake should be baked until the center is almost set. If you bake it until it is completely set, chances are it will crack and be crumbly. It is highly recommended that you invest in a oven-thermometer to make sure you're baking the cake at the proper temperature. You should also begin to check the cake 10-15 minutes before the baking time for the recipe is over.

Taking the Cake Out Too Soon

I have found that my cheesecakes come out perfectly when I turn the oven off once the cheesecake is almost set in the center and open the oven door. I leave the cake in the oven until the pan is cool enough to handle and then remove the outside of the springform pan and allow it to cool completely before placing in the refrigerator at least two hours or overnight.

Eating the Cake Chilled

I thought it was a bit strange to eat cheesecake at room temperature when it was first suggested to me. However, I could not believe how flavorful the cake was. You should obviously store your cheesecake in the refrigerator, but remove a slice around 30 minutes before you plan to eat it.

Cheesecake is a delicious treat that any baker, even a beginner, can master. While the mistakes listed above can ruin a cheesecake, they are also very easy to avoid.