LEVEL 3: Module 9: Custards, Fillings & Dessert Foundations
Cheesecake is a rich custard-style dessert made from cream cheese, eggs, sugar, and cream.
A good cheesecake should feel smooth, creamy, and balanced — never dry, grainy, or overly dense.
Understanding Cheesecake
Cheesecake is essentially a baked custard stabilized with cream cheese.
The texture depends heavily on:
mixing
temperature
baking method
cooling process
Classic Baked Cheesecake
A smooth and creamy cheesecake with a soft custard texture.
Basic Ingredients
750g cream cheese
225g sugars
35g cornstarch
3 eggs
1 yolk
95g sour cream
1 tsp vanilla
200g graham crumbs
100g butter
Before You Start
Ingredients should be room temperature
Avoid overmixing after adding eggs
Bake gently for smooth texture
Method
1. Prepare the Cream Cheese Base
Beat cream cheese until smooth.
Add sugar and mix until creamy.
2. Add Eggs
Add eggs gradually, mixing gently after each addition.
👉 Avoid whipping too much air into the batter.
3. Add Cream & Flavoring
Mix in cream, sour cream, or flavoring until smooth.
4. Fill the Pan
Pour mixture into prepared crust.
Tap gently to remove excess air bubbles.
5. Bake
Bake gently at low temperature.
A water bath helps create even heat and prevents cracking.
How to Test Doneness
The edges should appear set while the center still has a slight wobble.
👉 Cheesecake continues setting as it cools.
Common Mistakes
Why did my cheesecake crack?
Possible causes:
overbaking
sudden temperature change
overmixing
Why is my cheesecake grainy?
Possible causes:
cold cream cheese
overbaking
Why is my cheesecake dense?
Possible causes:
overmixing
too much air removed
excessive baking time
Water Bath Baking
A water bath creates gentle and even heat.
This helps:
prevent cracks
maintain creamy texture
avoid overbaking edges
Important
Do not allow water to leak into the cheesecake pan.
Cooling the Cheesecake
Cool gradually.
Sudden cooling can cause shrinking and cracking.
Important Insight
Cheesecake should not bake until fully firm in the oven.
Residual heat continues cooking the custard during cooling.
Flavor Variations
Cheesecake pairs well with:
berry compote
fruit coulis
caramel sauce
citrus creams
chocolate ganache
