Learn How To Repair A Cracked Cheesecake | DessArts

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Cheesecakes crack for many reasons but you don't have to live with it. You can easily fix a cracked cheesecake by following this method.

Cracked cheesecake in a pan.

So you've followed all the directions to your cheesecake recipe exactly and everything looks great. Things are fine until your cheesecake cools and then you see it...

Cracks! Your beautiful cheesecake cracked! The quick fix ? Cover it up with a whole bunch of fresh fruit. That's definitely one option but what if fruit doesn't pair with your cheesecake flavor or you just don't like fruit?

You could opt to use shaved chocolate or whipped cream. Or, you can repair the crack!

My chocolate chip cheesecake cracked really badly. I found a great way to close up the cracks which I am sharing with you today.

The cheesecake above and the one below are both chocolate chip cheesecakes. The one below was definitely overcooked which contributed to the cracking.

I took extra precautions in baking the one above but it still ended up cracking!

Fixed cheesecake after it cracked in the oven.

Why do cheesecakes crack?

Over baking: Cracks form when the cheesecake gets too dry. Take it out of the oven while it's still jiggly to help avoid this.

High temperature: Your oven is lying to you. Some built in oven thermometers are not accurate and read temperatures that are lower than your actual oven temperature. Cheesecakes are delicate and high temperatures can cause cracking. Get a reliable oven thermometer.

Excess beating: This puts more air into your batter which causes it to rise, then fall, and crack. You should only mix until ingredients are incorporated. This is not a cake or cookie. No mixing until "light and fluffy"!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake covered in chocolate chips to hide crack and over baked texture.

Now, I still decided to cover it up with chocolate chips but that was more because I did not want it to look so plain and the area I patched was lighter than the rest of the cheesecake.

How to Fix A Cracked Cheesecake

If you are in a crisis and freaking out about your cheesecake, you've come to the right place.

  1. Chill your cheesecake. Fixing cracks works better when your cheesecake is cold.
  2. Press the cracks closed as much as possible using clean fingers.
  3. Dip an offset spatula in hot water so it gets nice and warm. Use the spatula to gently smooth over the remaining gaps.
  4. Repeat step 3, wiping the spatula between in time, until your crack is gone.
Slice of chocolate chip cheesecake after fixing the crack.

I have had much better luck avoiding cracks all together when I make cheesecakes in my Instant Pot. If you own one, I highly recommend reading more about Instant Pot Cheesecakes.

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Materials

  • cracked cheesecake

Tools

  • small offset spatula
  • bowl of hot water
  • clean paper towel

Instructions

  1. Start with a cold cheesecake.
  2. With clean fingers, gently press the crack as closed as possible.
  3. To seal any of the remaining space, dip your offset spatula in a bowl of hot water. Be sure to dip it long enough for the metal to warm up.
  4. Use the spatula to gently smooth over the crack. Wipe the spatula clean with the paper towel.
  5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 as necessary until you have a smooth top.

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Tag » Why Did My Cheesecake Crack