Cooking a cheesecake on a lazy Sunday can be one of the best wholesome activities you can do. Although, making a cheesecake is hard work and knowing if you have made an undercooked cheesecake is vital!
In this article we will explore how to tell if your cheesecake is undercooked and how to fix your undercooked cheesecake.
Table of Contents
- How To Tell If Cheesecake Is Undercooked
- What Does Undercooked Cheesecake Look Like?
- How To Fix Undercooked Cheesecake
- How To Save An Undercooked Cheesecake
- How To Finish Cooking An Undercooked Cheesecake
- What Happens If You Eat Undercooked Cheesecake
- What Can You Do If Your Cheesecake Is Undercooked?
- What Do I Do If My Cheesecake Doesn’t Set?
- Is It Better To Undercook Or Overcook A Cheesecake?
- What Should My Cheesecake Look Like When Done?
- Can Undercooked Cheesecake Make You Sick
- Undercooked Cheesecake FAQs
- Check Your Cheesecake As You Bake is The Key
How To Tell If Cheesecake Is Undercooked
It can be quite a tricky task when knowing how to tell if a cheesecake is undercooked. After all, cheesecakes take hours to make, and hours to set in the fridge before they end up looking like the cheesecake we love and know.
So, how do you know if your cheesecake is undercooked?
The Jiggle Test
The jiggle test is the perfect place to start. It is one of the first things you should do to test if your cheesecake is cooked properly.
The way you perform the jiggle test is to gently shake the cheesecake tray. When you have given the cheesecake a little shake, if the cheesecake mixture starts to seep from the sides, this is an indication that the cheesecake is undercooked. If the center of the cheesecake is the only place to jiggle, this means that the cheesecake is perfectly cooked.
Pressing Down
Another method you can use is to press the cheesecake down from the top of the cheesecake with your finger.
If you place your finger in the middle of the cheesecake and press lightly, you can tell by the texture of the cheesecake if it is undercooked.
If the cheesecake feels firm then the cheesecake is cooked. If your finger easily becomes part of the mixture once you have pressed down, then the cheesecake is undercooked.
What Does Undercooked Cheesecake Look Like?
It’s very hard to say. Often the finished cheesecake you are imagining is only possible once it has been in the fridge, as that is when it starts to set and form.
Both cooked and undercooked cheesecake are runny and look pale. This is actually a good sign that you have not overcooked your cheesecake and you are near to cooking it to perfection.
How Do You Know If Your Cheesecake Is Undercooked?
Here is a list of signs to look out for to see if your cheesecake is undercooked:
- Gooey center
- The base will move from the sides
- Wet
- Overly sloppy
How To Fix Undercooked Cheesecake
What do you do if your cheesecake is undercooked? You have two choices if you have noticed that your cheesecake is not cooked enough.
If you have noted that your cheesecake is undercooked when you have taken it out of the oven and you have not set it in the fridge, you can cook your cheesecake for longer. If it’s been cooked enough, put your cheesecake into the fridge, for the main cake to set.
Not enough? We have a few methods on what to do if your cheesecake is still raw.
Here is how to fix an undercooked cheesecake, without any waste:
- Let your cheesecake set: Often you may think that your cheesecake is undercooked, but it may have just not set properly. Letting your cheesecake set is vital, especially in the overall process of making this dessert. You can let your cheesecake set in the fridge or where there is a cool temperature. Your cheesecake may need a few hours to set, as it will still be runny once it has left the oven. The cool air in the fridge will allow the cheesecake mixture to start to firm up. Most likely, your cheesecake will start to look a lot more cooked once it has had time to set. It is best to allow your cheesecake to set for at least 4 hours in the fridge. If you can allow your cheesecake to set in the fridge overnight or for 8 hours, that would be ideal.
- Try slow cooking your cheesecake: You will not need a slow cooker for this. You can use your normal oven. Set your oven to a lower temperature and place the cheesecake back in. Allow the cheesecake to cook again, but for a longer period of time as a lower setting. The extra cooking time will likely be between 20-30 minutes when slow cooking your cheesecake. Keep checking on the cake to see if it is ready, as you do not want to overcook the cheesecake. You may be expecting that cooking a cheesecake is like cooking a regular cake, but this is incorrect. With cakes, the normal procedure is to bake the cake in the oven until it is a golden brown color. When you are baking a cheesecake in the oven you do not need to wait until it turns a golden brown color on top. This is actually an indication that the cheesecake is burnt. The cheesecake will be cooked if it is still a pale color.
- Water bath: Water bath baking your cheesecake is a method that uses hot water in order to cook your cheesecake to perfection. To give your cake a water bath, you will need to fill a large pan with hot water. Once done, you will then place your cheesecake in this baking pan, which will be wrapped up in protective foil. Water bathing your cheesecake is the perfect method for when your cheesecake has fully cooled down and you have just realized that you have undercooked it. A water bath for your undercooked cheesecake can cook the cake through, making sure that the cheesecake does not crack.
How To Save An Undercooked Cheesecake
What do I do If my cheesecake is undercooked?
If you have just taken your cheesecake out of the oven and realized that it is undercooked then you can put your cheesecake back into the oven to cook for a little longer. If you have realized that your cheesecake is undercooked after it has been set in the fridge, it may be too late to save it.
The best thing to do is check if your cheesecake is fully cooked straight away when you take it out of the oven,
If your cheesecake is undercooked, here is a step by step simple method to remedy this:
Put It Back In The Oven
Place your cheesecake back into the oven on the middle shelf.
Leave For 10 Minutes
Leave the cheesecake for 10 minutes before checking to see if it has finished cooking.
Check Temperature
Use a kitchen thermometer to check if the temperature exceeds over 70 degrees Celsius. If your cheesecake is hot enough, it means it is cooked and you can remove it from the oven.
How To Finish Cooking An Undercooked Cheesecake
If you have taken out your cheesecake from the oven and have just realized that you may have taken it out a little too early, it may not be too late to fix it.
Firstly, it is very important to actually check if you have taken it out of the oven too early or if your eyes are deceiving you. The best method to check if the cheesecake is undercooked is to use a cooking thermometer. Place the cooking thermometer in the middle of the cheesecake and take the temperature. If the temperature is anything above 150 degrees Fahrenheit or 70 degrees Celsius, then the cheesecake is fully cooked. If your cheesecake is under this temperature, then it may be undercooked and not too late to save.
If you see that your cheesecake is under the safe temperature, simply place it back into the oven. Cook it for a further 10-20 minutes and check the temperature again. It is best to base if the cheesecake is fully done by the cheesecake’s temperature.
Do not be fooled by the cheesecake being runny, as the cheesecake will set in the fridge. If you have tried baking the cheesecake in the oven for longer and the cheesecake looks off or is not reaching the temperature, you may need to change your cheesecake recipe. Your recipe may need a bit more flour added to the mixture to help it bind together.
What Happens If You Eat Undercooked Cheesecake
Many people ask, can I eat undercooked cheesecake? The answer is no.
Eating undercooked cheesecake could be dangerous and cause you to have food poisoning. This is due to eggs being a key ingredient in cheesecake. If the eggs are still raw in the cheesecake mixture, they could be hazardous.
Baking your cheesecake properly is extremely important. Allowing your cheesecake to sit in the oven for an extra 10 minutes could be all that is needed to make sure that your cheesecake is safe to consume.
What If Cheesecake Is Undercooked?
Most of the ingredients that make up a cheesecake are ingredients that are perishable. Therefore cooking these ingredients and storing them is very important if you are to use them within any food.
Cheesecake can spoil quickly due to ingredients, such as cream cheese and eggs.
What Can You Do If Your Cheesecake Is Undercooked?
If you have allowed your cheesecake to set in the fridge for a few hours and then realize that you have not allowed the cheesecake to properly cook in the oven earlier on, it may be time to throw the cheesecake away.
We would normally not recommend any food disposal, as it is a waste of precious ingredients, money and time, but it is always better to be safe than sorry.
It is hard to know what to do with undercooked cheesecake and if it is possible to make into another dessert. If you do try to make your undercooked cheesecake into another type of dessert it may not turn out how you wish as the ingredients will have already been set. This can make it hard to mix these ingredients with anything else.
What Do I Do If My Cheesecake Doesn’t Set?
If your cheesecake looks like it is not setting, do not panic!
Sometimes placing your cheesecake in the fridge for a few hours still is not enough time for the cheesecake to become firm. Placing your cheesecake in the fridge overnight or for 12+ hours will help give your runny cheesecake the time it needs to properly start setting and firming up.
If your cheesecake is very thick, this may be a contributing factor to why it is not setting quickly. The thicker your cheesecake, the more time it will need to set in the fridge.
Is It Better To Undercook Or Overcook A Cheesecake?
Well, the answer is neither!
But, if you had to choose if you have undercooked or overcooked cheesecake we would have to say that it is better to overcook your cheesecake. It is better to overcook your cheese due to safety reasons as overcooked cheesecake will not harm you, it just might be a little dry. Undercooked cheesecake could cause you to have food poisoning as it contains eggs. If the eggs are still raw within the cheesecake mixture, you could experience food poisoning symptoms like vomiting, nausea or diarrhea.
Undercooked cheesecake will turn out to not taste very nice as it will be very runny. Overcooked cheesecake may have some cracks and a slightly crispy, burnt base.
What Does Undercooked Cheesecake Taste Like
Undercooked cheesecake will not be pleasant to eat. Its rawness will be most noticeable in texture. The texture of undercooked cheesecake will be sloppy and can start to break apart. The taste of undercooked cheesecake can be slightly bitter but will not be as noticeable as the change of texture.
What Should My Cheesecake Look Like When Done?
When your cheesecake is fully cooked it should have a slight wobble and gentle ripple when it is moved. The crust of the cheesecake should be lightly brown.
If you have just taken your cheesecake out of the oven, make sure to temperature check it to see if it has cooked properly. It is not best to judge whether your cheesecake has cooked based on how runny it is, as the cheesecake takes hours to set in the fridge.
Can Undercooked Cheesecake Make You Sick
If you eat undercooked cheesecake then it could make you feel unwell. As cheesecake contains ingredients that spoil easily, it is easy for undercooked cheesecake to upset your stomach.
The most dangerous ingredient in undercooked cheesecake is the eggs. If the eggs in the cheesecake have not been cooked properly, they could still be raw. Raw eggs can cause you to have food poisoning symptoms. You can not further cook your cheesecake in the fridge; in the fridge, the only thing that will happen to your cheesecake is that it will set.
If the ingredients have not been properly cooked in the oven, they could be dangerous to your health.
Undercooked Cheesecake FAQs
Should Cheesecake Be Runny In The Middle?
When your cheesecake has cooked properly, the cheesecake should have a soft and slightly jiggly texture in the middle of the cheesecake. If you are concerned that your cheesecake is too runny in the middle, try placing your cheesecake in the refrigerator. This’ll allow it to finish setting, as that may be all it needs. Cheesecake can take hours to cool and set fully so do not be surprised if your cheesecake takes a few hours to properly firm up.
Can Cheesecake Be A Little Jiggly?
Yes, if your cheesecake is a little jiggly then it may be a sign your cheesecake has been baked just right. The fact your cheesecake is jiggling does not mean that it is undercooked. The most accurate way to tell if your cheesecake is undercooked is to use a cooking thermometer. Your cheesecake may look too jiggly but once it cools down completely you may be surprised at how the cheesecake firms up as it cools.
Check Your Cheesecake As You Bake is The Key
Checking your cheesecake to make sure it is not undercooked will be the best method to prevent a cheesecake disaster. There is nothing worse than cooking for hours and then realizing that you will have to chuck it away because it is undercooked. Using a kitchen thermometer will be your best friend when you are baking a cheesecake. It is important to remember that you can fix your undercooked cheesecake by placing it in the oven for a little longer. Don’t forget to allow it to set as well!
Never consume an undercooked cheesecake as it can be dangerous for your health.
I baked an Oreo cheesecake and the top cracked as it was cooling so I assumed I overcooked it. When I took the foil off the pan from the water bath, I noticed water in the foil and it had gotten onto the outer part of the crust. I flipped it over and it seemed fine but I checked the middle and it’s like cake batter. I haven’t put it in the fridge yet but it has been cooling on the counter. Is it undercooked? If I let it sit overnight in the fridge and it sets, does that mean it’s cooked all the way and it’s done?