Is Cheesecake Still Jiggly When Done? 3 Helpful Tips

Last Updated on February 22, 2023

As a baker, you may have wondered, is cheesecake still jiggly when done? Many people confuse testing the doneness with the final texture of cheesecake. Today, we will explore why.

We will look at exactly what a cheesecake is and its many varying characteristics. This will help us ultimately determine if a cheesecake is supposed to be jiggly, or if that is simply a testing method. then, we will also look at identifying undercooked cheesecake, and how you can fix it.

How is Cheesecake Made? Brief Overview

Cheesecake is an extraordinarily old dessert that dates back to ancient Greece. Today, a modern cheesecake is still one of the most unique desserts and one that requires a certain set of skills and patience.

Cheesecake is made using cream cheese with a handful of other ingredients such as eggs, sour cream, sugar, and vanilla. Additional ingredients may be added to adjust the consistency and alter the flavor.

This can be something like sour cream or buttermilk, which adds flavor and adjusts the consistency. Milk or cream will only really adjust the consistency. And finally, extracts, essences, and juices help add a ton of delicious flavors.

Cheesecakes with eggs are then baked in an oven for roughly 40-70 minutes (depending on the recipe) and finally slowly cooled to prevent them from cracking or sinking in.

You also do get unbaked (no-bake) cheesecake, which doesn’t contain any eggs. These are simply made and allowed to sit inside the fridge.

Characteristics of Cheesecake: Is Cheesecake Still Jiggly When Done? 

There are many varying characteristics when it comes to cheesecakes. This is all thanks to the many recipes there are out there. By using different ingredients, a variety of mixing and preparation techniques, and various setting methods, you can create an infinite amount of textures.

That being said, there are still some classic traits of a baked and no-bake cheesecake.

Baked cheesecake

Baked cheesecakes are often less creamy than no-bake cheesecakes. But, this doesn’t mean they don’t melt in your mouth. These cheesecakes can be very dense or extremely airy.

Denser textures are created by only creaming and mixing the ingredients together. Airy soft (or fluffy) textures can be created by whipping cream or egg whites and folding these into the batter.

When cheesecakes are baked, they will also always have a firm texture. It can vary in exact consistency, but cheesecakes shouldn’t be rubbery, and they shouldn’t be runny.

No-bake cheesecake

These cheesecakes are uber-creamy because they don’t contain any eggs. When eggs are baked in dishes, they slightly take away from the creaminess of the dish because they coagulate.

So, unbaked cheesecakes are softer and melt in your mouth. They shouldn’t be runny at all, but they won’t be incredibly dense and rigid.

Is Cheesecake Still Jiggly When Done?

Cheesecakes, regardless of whether they are baked or unbaked, the entire cheesecake shouldn’t be jiggly. The reason so many people wonder, “is cheesecake still jiggly when done?” is because of how baked cheesecakes are tested once they finish baking.

When a baked cheesecake is finished baking, it will have a slight jiggle in the inner inch or two of the cheesecake. Naturally, the smaller cheesecakes (anything under 8 inches in diameter) will only jiggly in the center inch. Larger cheesecakes (9 inches and above) will have some jiggle in the inner 1 1/2 to 2 inches.

But, your cheesecake should never jiggle as a whole. Even no-bake cheesecakes have a firm texture that won’t move around all that much.

Identifying an undercooked cheesecake

There are a couple of ways to test whether a cheesecake has been cooked to perfection.

The first is to test the inside center with a thermometer. It should read 150ºF (65.5ºC).

The second test is the jiggle test. Remember, the answer to “is cheesecake still jiggly when done?” is only yes in the center inch or two. The entire cake should not be jiggly!

And finally, you can test the doneness using a toothpick. Insert the clean toothpick into the center of the cheesecake. Then, when you remove it, check for any raw or undercooked batter on the toothpick. If there is any left, the cheesecake hasn’t been fully cooked yet.

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How to Fix Undercooked Cheesecake: Is Cheesecake Still Jiggly When Done?

Now that you know the answer to “is cheesecake still jiggly when done?” you can easily see when it is just undercooked.

With undercooked cheesecake, you should immediately try to rectify the problem. Unfortunately, these fixes only really work best before you have completely cooled and set your cheesecake.

1. Bake for a little longer

When you remove the cheesecake from the oven, immediately test its doneness. If you find that it is still too raw, you can simply put it back inside your oven and keep baking it until it is done.

There isn’t an exact baking time, so look at the general guideline given by the recipe. Then, depending on how raw your cheesecake still is, only bake it for short periods. You also don’t want to overbake your cheesecake.

2. Allow it to rest

If your cheesecake is basically done and only has a little bit of excess jiggle (let’s say 2 1/2 inches still jiggles), you can simply allow it to rest in a cooling oven with a slightly cracked door.

The residual heat inside the oven and in the cheesecake itself will continue cooking these slightly underbaked parts. By the time your cheesecake is fully cooled, it will have been baked to perfection.

3. Make something else

If your cheesecake completely failed and cannot be saved, you can use the cooked parts in another dessert. you can make delicious deep-fried cheesecake balls, cheesecake cake pops, tiny cheesecake cupcakes, or a milkshake.

There are loads of ideas out there and we guarantee you’ll be able to find one that works for you!

What to Do if Your Cheesecake is Still Jiggly After Cooling

Cheesecakes need a long time to cool, generally one to two hours. If your cheesecake is still jiggly after cooling, unfortunately, you cannot put it back in the oven to bake longer. However, that does not mean it is a lost cause. 

If it still seems jiggly after fully cooling, place it into the fridge for a few hours. The coldness of the fridge will help firm up the cheesecake. Ideally, you will want to leave your cheesecake in the fridge for at least five hours or overnight if you have time.

If you don’t have time to wait for your cheesecake in the fridge then you can put it in the freezer. The freezer will help firm it up faster than the fridge, just be sure not to forget about it.

In most cases, your cheesecake will still be safe to eat. However, it may not have as firm of a texture as a fully cooked cheesecake but the flavor will still be delicious. 

Is Cheesecake Jiggly Out of the Oven?

So, is cheesecake still jiggly when done? Cheesecake is supposed to be jiggly out of the oven. As it cools, the cheesecake will fully set and will no longer be jiggly. 

Only the center of the cheesecake is supposed to be jiggly when it is done. If it is all jiggly put it back in the oven for longer and if there is no jiggle then your cheesecake may be overbaked.

To test if your cheesecake is jiggly, tap a wooden spoon on the side of your cheesecake pan. If the center of the cheesecake jiggles when you tap it with the spoon, it is done. 

Another way to test if your cheesecake is jiggly is to lightly shake it. Be sure to wear oven mitts as the pan will be hot. Be sure to gently shake the cheesecake as you do not want to mess up the texture before it cools. 

What Temp is Cheesecake Done?

As stated above, a cheesecake is done at 150ºF (65.5ºC). To check the temperature of a cheesecake, use an instant-read food thermometer. 

For the most accurate reading, stick the thermometer halfway through the cheesecake in the center. Avoid touching the bottom of the pan, as this won’t give you an accurate reading as the pan will be hotter than the cheesecake. 

Can You Fix an Undercooked Cheesecake?

If your cheesecake hasn’t fully cooled, you can put it back in the oven to bake longer. Generally, you want to put it back in the oven for five to 10-minute increments to avoid overbaking. 

You can put the cheesecake back in the water bath if you are using one, or on the oven rack to bake it longer. Continue baking until there is only a slight jiggle in the center.

In addition, you can also use your finger to test if the cheesecake is done. Gently press down on the cheesecake and if it is firm with only a slight give then it is done. However, be careful as the cheesecake will be hot. 

In Conclusion: Is Cheesecake Still Jiggly When Done?

So, is cheesecake supposed to be jiggly? The answer is a resounding no! Only the center inch or two will jiggle if the cheesecake has been baked for long enough. The rest of the cake (and the entire cake as a whole) should not jiggle.

If you learned something today from this informative article, go have a look at some of the other interesting topics we have covered. And, let us know if you would like to learn about something else or if you have any questions!

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