How you eat is how you live.
Let's eat well together.
Sign up for our useful and inspiring emails.
Get a $10 credit at Provisions,
our new kitchen and home shop, launching soon!
Well played.
You deserve a cookie.
We'll email you about claiming your credit.
Or you can get early access and earn more credit if you:
Claim Your Credit Now
You don't *have* to, the water bath is just there to reduce the fluctuations in temperature. You run the risk of the cheesecake cracking, so it depends how perfect you want it to look... It'll still taste good without the water bath!
agree with above. I don't mind the cracking. I think it gives the cheese cake good character, so i never bother with a water bath.
I respectfully disagree...I love the results when I use a water bath. Instead of covering the top of your cheesecake with foil, cover the OUTSIDE of your springform pan with foil, fill and then add the water to the pan as you slide it into the oven.
Thank you all!
An alternative solution is to place your springform pan inside a slightly larger cake pan. Guaranteed not to rip and leak plus the air space between the pans prevents condensation from forming.