How to Prepare Water Bath (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Essential Equipment and Ingredients
01 -
1 high-quality springform pan
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1 larger baking pan, cake pan, sauté pan, or roasting pan
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Wide heavy-duty aluminum foil
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Heat-safe oven bag or slow cooker bag
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Boiling water
# Instructions:
01 -
Prepare the crust, press it into the springform pan, and bake as directed. Let it cool completely before proceeding. Alternatively, you can wrap the pan in foil and a heat-safe bag before pressing in the crust if preferred.
02 -
Place a large square of heavy-duty aluminum foil under the springform pan. Gently fold the edges up and around the pan for a water-tight seal. Repeat with two additional layers of foil. Optionally, place the foil-covered pan inside a heat-safe oven bag, folding the bag edges flush with the pan's top.
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Bring a kettle of water to a boil. If a kettle is unavailable, use a pot to boil water, then carefully transfer it to a heat-safe measuring cup with a spout.
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Pour the cheesecake batter into the cooled springform pan. Place the springform pan inside the larger baking pan. Place both pans onto the middle oven rack in a preheated oven.
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Carefully pour the boiling water into the larger pan until it reaches halfway up the sides of the springform pan. Ensure there’s enough water to prevent evaporation but not enough to splash into the batter.
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Bake the cheesecake at 325°F for 1 to 1 hour and 15 minutes, or until the top looks dry but the center jiggles slightly like gelatin.
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Turn off the heat, crack the oven door slightly, and allow the cheesecake to cool inside for 30 minutes to 1 hour. This optional step helps prevent cracking.
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Carefully remove the springform pan from the water bath and unwrap the foil. Place the pan on a cooling rack and run a thin flexible knife around the edges to ensure the cheesecake is not sticking.
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Let the cheesecake cool completely to room temperature on the rack before transferring it to the fridge. Once chilled, remove the springform pan and serve.
# Notes:
01 -
Using a water bath ensures an evenly baked cheesecake with a creamy texture and prevents cracks.
02 -
A heat-safe oven bag provides extra protection against water leakage into the crust.