How Long Should Cheesecake Cool Before Going in Fridge? Solved

Last Updated on March 16, 2023 by Lori Walker

Cheesecake is a popular dessert, and it’s something that you can make at home.

Even though you can buy pre-made cheesecakes in the store, it’s still great to know how long your cake needs to chill before putting it in the fridge after baking in the oven.

We will explain how long cheesecake should cool before going in the fridge so that you don’t end up with a raw dessert.

Table of Contents

How Long Should You Cool Cheesecake Before Going in the Fridge?

You should cool a cheesecake quickly for 1 to 3 hours before putting it in the fridge.

In some recipes, the baked cheesecake should be left inside with the oven door open for about an hour before being allowed to chill entirely on the hot kitchen counter.

“A recipe has no soul. You, as the cook, must bring soul to the recipe.”
– Thomas Keller, American Chef

Before slicing and eating, it should also spend four hours, ideally overnight, in the refrigerator to achieve a beautiful velvety texture.

But how long will cheesecake from the Cheesecake Factory last?

Why Do You Need To Completely Cool It Down First?

You must ensure that your baked cheesecake has completely cooled down before putting it inside the fridge to prevent condensation.

Condensation, or tiny water droplets, will form on your cake if it is placed in a chilly setting while it is still hot. This moisture will damage your cake. [1 ]

How To Cool Cheesecake Before Sticking It in The Fridge

After turning off the baking heat, leave the oven door slightly ajar and leave the baked cheesecake for an additional 45 minutes.

Once cold enough to handle, remove the oven, cover with plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn cold air, and refrigerate. When completely cold, serve.

You can skip this part by making a no-bake cheesecake with a water bath. This method is ideal in a hot and humid area. It is also known as sponge cake.

Graham crackers with cheese are an example of no-bake cheesecakes. But how should you prepare a springform pan for cheesecake?

What Happens if You Don’t Let a Cheesecake Cool?

If you don’t let the cheesecake cool before going into the refrigerator, the result will be a cracked top and an uneven slice. The warm cheesecake will be too soft to slice and have a wet texture.

Additionally, if you put a hot cheesecake in a cold room, condensation will happen, which means droplets of water will form and ruin it.

So, if you don’t want a soggy crust and weak flavors, the cheesecake should be cooled completely before putting it in the fridge.

How To Quickly Cool It Before Going in the Fridge

Use a Wire Rack

A wire rack helps with cooling cheesecakes faster. When you put it on a wire rack, it gets more air. Let it sit on the rack for 1-2 hours.

It will help your cake get rid of moisture and drop temperature uniformly. Put it in the coldest part of your home to cool down faster and reach room temperature.

Get a Small Fan

A tiny, hand-held fan should be placed close to the baked cheesecake, and let the fan blow into it for a few hours. Ensure that the cheesecake is receiving only the airflow.

Once it has reached room temperature, remove the cover and place it in the refrigerator to chill. A portable fan can speed up the cooling process by about 30%.

Wrap a Wet Rag around the Pan

You could also wet a rag or get a cool towel soaked in ice-cold water and wrap it around the cheesecake pan to cool the cheesecake quicker.

Find out how you can fix a burnt cheesecake top here.

Tips & Tricks When Cooling Cheesecake

If possible, use a cooling rack to keep your cheesecake from sticking to the bottom of your tray. Be careful when removing it from the tray.
Add 1 cup of water at the removable bottom of each piece of plastic before sealing them up individually in an airtight container.
Wrap the cheesecake with plastic wrap inside the fridge to prevent the cool air from drying it out and ruining its flavor and texture. [2 ]
Use cottage cheese instead of cream cheese because this ingredient has lower melting points than most others.
Don’t attempt to put hot cheesecake straight in the fridge if you want a perfect cheesecake. Hot cakes will condense and deform in an instant cold temp.

Also Read: How To Fix Cheesecake Batter That Is Too Lumpy?

FAQs

Can I refrigerate cheesecake in a springform pan?

Yes, you can refrigerate cheesecake in a springform pan. However, we recommend wrapping it tightly with plastic or sealing it in a container to maintain its quality.

So how can you remove the cheesecake from the springform pan?

How do you know when a cheesecake is done cooling?

You’ll know the cheesecake is done cooling when the surface at the center has a smooth and firm texture.

Should the cheesecake cool before removing it from the pan?

Yes, cheesecake should be cooled thoroughly before removing it from the pan to avoid damaging its form and texture. Fresh cheesecakes are fragile and may deform easily.

Final Words

Generally speaking, how long the cheesecake should cool depends on your chosen cooling process. There are several ways to chill down a cheesecake quickly, varying in duration.

The ideal cooling time of cheesecake before chilling in the fridge is within 1-3 hours or until it reaches room temperature.

Always cool your freshly baked cheesecake before refrigerating it to avoid unwanted baking failures.

References:

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/condensation
https://extension.umn.edu/preserving-and-preparing/drying-food

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Lori Walker

Lori is a self-taught baker and former owner of a successful bakery. She shares her love for baking through her blog, featuring delicious recipes, baking tips, and a behind-the-scenes look at running a bakery. You can speak with her directly at [email protected]