by Kate Flaxx

Created on: October 04, 2010

The art of cheesecake making takes patience and practice whether the cheesecake is refrigerated or baked to achieve the finished result.

Making a perfect cheesecake is a challenging task, challenging but also achievable.

Follow the tips below to make the most perfect and gorgeous cheesecakes;

- Read the recipe thoroughly

- Gather and prepare ingredients

- Mix the ingredients thoroughly

- Extra tips for baked cheesecakes

- Extra tips for cold cheesecakes

- Read the recipe thoroughly

Does the cheesecake need to be baked?  Does it need to refrigerate to set?  Reading the recipe through a couple of times gives the cook an idea of the steps they need to prepare for. 

When making the actual cheesecake and especially if this is cold, you may not get a chance to read through the recipe while you prepare the cheesecake.  For example, if you make a cold cheesecake, add the setting agent and then have to refer to the recipe, your cheesecake will set before you get the chance to fill the base.

- Gather and prepare ingredients

Prepare for the cheesecake-making steps in the recipe by gathering the ingredients before you begin.

If the cheesecake has a base, the recipe will usually tell you to prepare the base first.  This is important.  The base needs time to set before you add the filling. 

Most full fat cream cheeses need to soften at room temperature first before they can be beaten or mixed, make sure you allow time for this before you add other ingredients to the cream cheese.

After preparing the base, measure out the other ingredients in the recipe and have them sitting in your preparation area in the order they are added.  Using small bowls for this is fantastic and easy and this way, you won’t forget to add anything.

Preparing your ingredients before hand and having them in order lessens the chance of you having to keep referring to the recipe.

- Mix the ingredients thoroughly

This does not mean over- mix the cheesecake.  Mixing each ingredient added properly will more than likely give that smooth consistency everyone loves in a cheesecake filling.  With each ingredient added, mix in the manner the recipe describes.  For example, if you need to fold in whipped cream, do this slowly in a folding motion, do not just frantically mix it.  No body wants lumps of cream cheese in their cheesecake filling, so mixing is important for that silky texture.

- Extra tips for baked cheesecakes

Following the recipe

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