Not all cheesecake recipes are the same. Some are rich and chocolatey, some are fresh and fruity and others are just plain good like this New York cheesecake. But there’s one thing that all these Taste of Home recipes have in common: They’re all baked in a water bath.
New bakers or folks that don’t bake many cheesecakes might be asking what is a water bath? and why do I need to use one? We’ll answer all those questions and more!
What is a water bath?
A water bath is simply a pan of hot water that you place in the oven. Also called a bain-marie, a water bath helps more delicate bakes—particularly cheesecakes—bake more evenly.
Our prep kitchen manager and cheesecake baker extraordinaire, Catherine Ward, explains that to make a water bath, all you need is a large pan and hot water. A high-sided roasting pan works great for cheesecake, but you can use any large, deep dish you have. Fill the pan with hot water just about an inch up the side because the pan you fit inside will displace a lot of water.
What does a water bath do for cheesecake?
A water bath is crucial for the success of a good cheesecake. The hot water surrounds the pan and bakes the filling gently and evenly—exactly what slightly fussy bakes like cheesecake need.
But the water bath has other benefits when it comes to cheesecake. According to Catherine, “The water bath creates a moist atmosphere that keeps the cake from drying out and cracking.” And we all know that a crack in a gorgeous cheesecake can be disappointing, so using a bain-marie is a good way to avoid that common problem.
Cheesecake water bath tips
Using a water bath in baking is fairly straightforward, but Catherine has a few tips to ensure successful cheesecakes:
- Always, always, always use hot water in your water bath. “Using cold water will change your oven temperature and bake time,” Catherine warns.
- Don’t overfill the pan. An inch or so of hot water should be plenty. Large cheesecake pans displace a lot of water. (Or you can fill the pan after you’ve set in your cheesecake, too.)
- Be careful not to splash! You don’t want any water getting into your perfect cheesecake batter, so be careful as you fill.
- Protect your cheesecake by either setting your springform pan inside a slightly larger cake pan before placing in the water bath or wrapping your pan in foil—yes, even if it’s “leak-proof.” You don’t want any water seeping inside.
Be sure to check out even more cheesecake tips here.
What else can I use a water bath for?
Water baths are commonly associated with cheesecakes, but they do come in handy for plenty of other tasty recipes. Baked custards like flan and creme brulee benefit from a water bath. The same goes for souffle.
Try These Tips with These Contest-Winning Cheesecake Recipes
Red Velvet Cheesecake
Festive and oh, so good, this cheesecake will become a fixture on your party dessert menu. The red velvet filling is spiked with cocoa, topped with cream cheese frosting and baked in a chocolate cookie crumb crust. —Karen Dively, Chapin, South Carolina
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Dulce de Leche CheesecakeI'm originally from Paraguay, and dulce de leche reminds me of where I came from. If you can't find it at your grocery store, try caramel ice cream topping instead. It tastes different, but this decadent dessert will still be amazing. —Sonia Lipham, Ranburne, Alabama
Yogurt-Ricotta CheesecakeI have always liked Italian ricotta cheesecakes, but they have too much sugar for me. I made a diabetic version, and my family couldn't even tell! I serve mine with sugar-free strawberry ice cream topping and fresh strawberries. —Diane Shipley, Mentor, Ohio
Contest-Winning Blueberry Swirl CheesecakeThis is my favorite blueberry cheesecake recipe, which I often make for family get-togethers. —Cathy Medley, Clyde, Ohio
Double-Layer Pumpkin CheesecakeI thought cheesecake and pumpkin pie would be amazing together. This creamy combo won a prize in our local pie contest, so I guess the judges agreed! —Noel Ferry, Perkasie, Pennsylvania
Frozen Chocolate Cheesecake TartI first made this irresistible dessert for some dinner guests. They were overwhelmed by its rich flavor and appearance. My husband commented that it was the best dessert he had ever eaten in his whole life. —Heather Bennett, Dunbar, West Virginia
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
Cinnamon Apple CheesecakeAn attractive topping of cinnamon-spiced apple slices and a homemade oat-and-walnut crust make this creamy dessert a definite showstopper. —Emily Ann Young, Edmond, Oklahoma
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
S'more CheesecakeThis luscious dessert is just as wonderfully tasty as the campfire snack that inspired it. It's a great way to savor a summer classic anytime of year. Our 4-year-old daughter likes it so much that she's requested it for her next birthday! —Robin Andrews, Cary, North Carolina
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
Honey Pecan CheesecakeBirthdays and holidays are great times for cheesecake. In our annual church bake-off, it won first place! —Tish Frish, Hampden, Maine
Creamy Tiramisu CheesecakeThe Italian word "tiramisu" means "pick-me-up" and refers to a dessert of ladyfinger sponge cake dipped in coffee. Work that in with cream cheese, and you have a guaranteed picker-upper that redefines a classic. —Mrs. Priscilla Gilbert, Indian Harbour Beach, Florida
Pistachio Cardamom CheesecakeCardamom has a sweet and warm taste that makes you think of clove, allspice and pepper all wrapped in one spice. Mix it with pistachios and add to cheesecake for a dessert that suggests the exotic flavors of India. —Carolyn Harkonnen, Loomis, California
Chocolate Turtle CheesecakeI always get compliments when I whip up this rich little cheesecake. With layers of caramel, chocolate and vanilla, it's an instant classic. —Erin Byrd, Springfield, Missouri
No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cannoli CheesecakeI make this cannoli cheesecake in the summer for a flavorful and refreshing treat. I love the added bonus of not having to turn on the oven in hot weather. —Kristen Heigl, Staten Island, New York
Chocolate Malt CheesecakeMy mother-in-law loved chocolate
malts—and cheesecakes, too. Can you guess who passed this recipe on to me? Sometimes, I substitute pretzel crumbs for the graham cracker crumbs. They make a surprisingly good crust! —Anita Moffett, Rewey, Wisconsin
Roasted Banana & Pecan CheesecakeWe keep bananas on hand, but with just two of us in the house, they ripen faster than we can eat them. That makes them perfect for roasting and baking into this cheesecake with a nutty crust. —Patricia Harmon, Baden, Pennsylvania
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
Coconut Cheesecake & Rhubarb CompoteI took my daughter’s love of cheesecake plus my mom’s love of coconut and rhubarb and ran with it. Try it with a smidge of chocolate sauce, too. —Wendy Rusch, Trego, Wisconsin
Salted Caramel Cappuccino CheesecakeAfter spending years living in Seattle, I’ve become a
coffee junkie! I had to relocate across the country for a time, so I created this cheesecake with the flavors of salted caramel, coffee and espresso. It lifted me up on days when I felt blue about leaving one of the world’s amazing coffee destinations. —Julie Merriman, Seattle, Washington
Spiced Apple CheesecakeWhen you live in apple country, you get the privilege of selecting the apples and recipes you want for year-round enjoyment. Granny Smith apples are tart and crisp. Combined with cinnamon, sugar and nutmeg, they make a delightful topping for a cheesecake of the Pacific Northwest. —Grace Hughes, Oroville, Washington
Luscious Almond CheesecakeI received this recipe along with a set of springform pans from a cousin at my wedding shower 11 years ago. It makes a heavenly cheesecake. My son Tommy has already told me he wants it again for his birthday cake this year. —Brenda Clifford, Overland Park, Kansas
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
Winning Cranberry CheesecakeThe holidays wouldn't be complete without cranberries and eggnog. I use them both in this flavorful cheesecake that's the perfect finale for a special dinner. Set it out at the start of the meal, not just to solicit "oohs" and "aahs," but to remind folks to save room for dessert! —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
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Updated: Mar. 31, 2021
