How Do You Know When a Cheesecake Is Done Cooking? The Wobble Test!
Updated: Jan. 06, 2022How do you know when that cheesecake, creme brulee or other custard is finished baking? Just give it a (gentle) shake!
Cheesecake is the perfect way to end a fabulous meal. But how do you know when yours is perfectly baked? Pull the cheesecake too soon and you’ll have soft, soggy (and unsafe-to-eat) results that won’t hold a pretty slice. Bake too long, and you risk a curdled texture or burnt top.
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How Do You Know When a Cheesecake Is Done Cooking?
You can tell if a cheesecake is done by checking the internal temperature with a quick-read thermometer. Stick the probe halfway into the cake—a baked cheesecake should read 150ºF.
However, testing cheesecake this way can mar the finish on top. You worked hard to create this cake, so we don’t blame you if you don’t want to go poking holes in it. That’s where this second technique comes in.
The Cheesecake Wobble Test
You can check if your cheesecake is done by trying the wobble test. To check the doneness, open the oven door and give the pan a gentle but firm rap with a spoon to see if it wobbles.
How jiggly should the cheesecake be? Well, it should wobble just slightly (you can see in our video). An underbaked cheesecake will ripple and jiggle noticeably. The key to a perfect cheesecake is a subtle wiggle—not a sloshy jiggle.
Because cheesecakes are part of the baked custard family, you can use this technique not just for them, but for classic creme brulee and old-fashioned baked custards. Check out our other cheesecake baking tips, too.
Up Next: How to Make Basque Cheesecake
Give These Cakes a Wobble
Friends have suggested over and over that I submit this creation to a magazine because it's so good. For the best texture, make sure not to overmix the batter. —Jamie Harris, Danville, Illinois
Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough CheesecakeI created this recipe to combine two of my all-time favorites: cheesecake for the grown-up in me and chocolate chip cookie dough for the little girl in me. Sour cream offsets the sweetness and adds a nice tang. Everyone who tries this scrumptious cookie dough cheesecake loves it. —Julie Craig, Kewaskum, Wisconsin
Caramel Fudge CheesecakeIt's hard to resist this chocolaty cheesecake with its fudgy crust, crunchy pecans and gooey layer of caramel. I combined several recipes to create this version that satisfies both the chocolate lovers and the cheesecake lovers in my family. —Brenda Ruse, Truro, Nova Scotia
Bittersweet Chocolate CheesecakeI'm a great-grandmother, and my whole family enjoys this dessert. I received this recipe from my niece. It's very chocolaty. —Amelia Gregory, Omemee, Ontario
Mocha Truffle CheesecakeI went through a phase when I couldn't get enough cheesecake or coffee, so I created this rich dessert. Its brownie-like crust and creamy mocha layer really hit the spot. It's ideal for get-togethers because it can be made in advance. —Shannon Dormady, Great Falls, Montana
Peanut Butter Cup CheesecakeI said I’d take dessert to a holiday party so I tried this recipe. I’m sure you’ll agree it tastes as luscious as it looks! —Dawn Lowenstein, Huntingdon Valley, Pennsylvania
Pineapple Pie with Coconut CreamYou’ll find pineapples and coconuts everywhere in the South Pacific, so we play them up in this creamy cool pineapple pie, dolloped with coconut cream. Divine! —Karen Naihe, Kamuela, Hawaii
Double Chocolate Almond CheesecakeThis cheesecake is easy to make—but it's definitely not easy to wait till the next day to eat it! The recipe is from a friend I used to work with. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon
Pineapple Upside-Down CheesecakeMy mom often made pineapple upside down cake, but I prefer something creamier. This recipe looks just like her cake, but gets even tastier as pineapple upside down cheesecake. —Marilyn McGinnis, Citrus Heights, California
Chocolate and Raspberry CheesecakeYou’ll fall in love with this sweet treat. Each silky slice is topped with juicy raspberries. Yes, you can have cheesecake without breaking the calorie budget. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Simple Turtle CheesecakeFor an almost instant dessert, I spread homemade ganache and caramel sauce over premade cheesecake. It always makes busy holidays feel slightly less hectic. —Laura McDowell, Lake Villa, Illinois
Apple Brandy CheesecakeIf you like apple pie, you will also enjoy this cheesecake. Bits of apple are scattered throughout the filling and a cinnamon-brown sugar streusel is a delightful topping to this impressive dessert.—Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington
Light CheesecakeOur family adores cheesecake, but I wanted to serve something healthier. I came up with this lighter version that I make for both holidays and everyday. —Diane Roth, Adams, Wisconsin
No-Bake Oreo CheesecakeOreo cookies and cheesecake—how can you go wrong? I made 20 of these crowd-pleasing no-bake Oreo cheesecakes in all different sizes for my wedding, and they were a big hit.—Leanne Stinson, Carnduff, Saskatchewan
Pumpkin CheesecakeWhen I was young we produced several ingredients for this pumpkin cheesecake on the farm. We raised pumpkins in our large vegetable garden, and made homemade butter and lots of sour cream using milk from our dairy herd. —Evonne Wurmnest, Normal, Illinois
Chocolate Truffle CheesecakeIf you delight in the taste of chocolate, then this is the cheesecake for you. Every creamy bite melts in your mouth. It's so impressive yet not difficult to prepare-I whip up this dessert each time I want a yummy treat for my family, friends or co-workers. —Mary Jones, Cumberland, Maine
Originally Published: February 22, 2019
