| My Aunt Wendy was one of the greatest cooks | | | | can take to avoid cracks. First, place a water pan |
| I've ever known. Any time we went to her | | | | in the oven with the cheesecake while it bakes. |
| house, even just for a quick visit, there was | | | | The added moisture in the air will keep the |
| something great to eat happening in the kitchen. | | | | surface moist and keep it from cracking, in much |
| She made chicken and dumplings with dumplings | | | | the same way that moisturizing cream will help |
| that were like little clouds, never gooey or floury | | | | your hands. You can also mix a teaspoon of |
| like so many are. She made cakes, pies and | | | | cornstarch into the batter before putting it in the |
| cookies that were the winners of blue ribbons at | | | | pan. This natural thickening agent will guard against |
| every contest in town. And her holiday dinners | | | | the separation that leads to cracking.The other |
| were the most sought-after invite in the entire | | | | major hurdle most cooks encounter from time to |
| family.However, Aunt Wendy until the day she | | | | time is the lumpy cheesecake. Unlike cracks, |
| died could not make a cheesecake that didn't | | | | which don't affect the overall flavor, lumps |
| come out of the oven with a top that didn't look | | | | indicate poor or incomplete mixing, which will |
| like a topographical map of California. Cracks, big | | | | affect flavor. To guard against this, bring the |
| and little, narrow and wide, shallow and deep | | | | cheese and the eggs to room temperature, to |
| would crawl all over the top of the cheesecake, | | | | make the fats in the two mix more readily and |
| often endangering the structural integrity of the | | | | completely.Remember those tips and you're on |
| whole.Cracks in the top of the cheesecake are | | | | the way to baked cheesecake recipe |
| one of the two major problems home cooks | | | | success!Andrew Krause is a Chef and Pastry Chef |
| encounter, and they can make your beautiful | | | | for over 30 years, at present I am retired, I |
| labor of love into the ugly duckling of the dessert | | | | owned a Gourmet Bakery called The Cheese |
| tray.However, there are two simple steps you | | | | Confectioner. |