"Place pan in a large pan; add 1 inch of hot water to larger pan." -- Why?
I have found a cheesecake recipe which says, for the cooking phase:
Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. Bake at 325 °F (160 °C) for 60--65 minutes or until center is just set and top appears dull.
I have done it so (I mean, it's in the recipe which I followed), but I wonder what is this for? I suppose that the water layer prevents things from going much over 212 °F (100 °C) since the water stays at this temperature. But I don't understand the motivation for this set-up. Couldn't I just use a lower temperature setting?
Best Answer
Couldn't I just use a lower temperature setting?
No, you can't. Ovens are very bad at keeping a constant temperature. Not only is the oven thermostat usually off, it also cycles around its mean temperature a lot. So your food is subjected to constantly changing temperature.
If you were to set your oven to 100C, you 1) won't get really 100C, and 2) won't get the crust to brown, as the temperature is too low. Instead, you can use the water bath described. In combination with a temperature setting higher than 100C, it will keep the bottom portion of the cheesecake at a constant temperature, and will allow the surface to bake well.
You will see water bath (i.e. bain marie) recommendations for many types of baked goods, including custards. But when it comes to a cheesecake, it has a second function. At each temperature, there is an equilibrium moisture in the oven air. As long as the equilibrium has not been reached, moisture evaporates at a high rate from every moist surface (your baking good). When this happens to a cheesecake, its top cracks. But when you have an open water surface, it is sufficient to saturate the air, and no (or very little) evaporation happens on the cake surface. You end up with a smooth cheesecake.
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What is the purpose of water bath in baking?
A water bath, also known as a bain marie, is simply a pan of hot water that protects your delicate cheesecake while it's baking in the oven. This method not only helps the cheesecake not crack on top, but also ensures the cheesecake will come out smooth and creamy.How does pan size affect baking time?
In this particular example, since your pan is 1 inch larger, more surface area will be exposed. The liquid in the cake batter will evaporate quicker, which means it will bake faster. To compensate, just increase the temp and decrease the baking time.Why does flan need a water bath?
Flan is one of those desserts that looks intimidating to make, but it's actually quite simple. The key is to bake it in a water bath, which regulates the temperature and evenly distributes gentle heat around the dessert, ensuring the eggs don't curdle.Should you put water in the oven when baking cake?
Should you put water in the oven when baking a cake? As a general rule, putting water in the oven in the form of a water bath will provide the necessary moisture when baking a cake. This moisture prevents the cake from being dry and crumbly. Water can also help distribute heat evenly throughout the baking process.Water Heater Pans
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Answer 2
You are creating a bain-marie. It is used to gently heat the food and to stop the food scorching or boiling. When used for custards it stops them curdling. For cheesecakes the technique is used to stop the centre cracking.
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