How to Tell if a Cheesecake is Done

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

Download Article

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]
X
Research source}
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
Expect sour cream filling to jiggle more than cream cheese filling. 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]
X
Research source}
- If you continue cooking the cheesecake until the center is firm and doesn’t jiggle it will be baked for too long.

Method 2

Method 2 of 4:

Touching the Surface

Download Article

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.
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]
X
Research source}
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]
X
Research source}

Method 3

Method 3 of 4:

Looking at the Cake

Download Article

You can tell a cheesecake is done when a ¹⁄₂ inch (1.3 cm) ring around 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]
X
Research source}
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
Take it out when the surface is no longer shiny. 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]
X
Research source}
- 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]
  X
  Research source}

Method 4

Method 4 of 4:

Checking the Temperature

Download Article

1
Obtain an instant-read cooking thermometer. 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]
X
Research source}
- 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
Test the temperature in the middle of the cake. 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]
X
Research source}
- 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
Look for a reading of 150 °F (66 °C). 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]
X
Research source}
- Chill the cheesecake before you remove it from the pan.^{[11]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Maria Short
  Baker
  
  Expert Interview}
- If it is not completely chilled, it may stick or crack.^{[12]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Maria Short
  Baker
  
  Expert Interview}

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 5
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 3

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

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!

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.^{[13]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0