Who would have thought that a sweet dessert made of cheese would actually taste nice?! But here at Gaya’s Cakes, cheesecake is one of our favourite desserts ever. Seriously, step away from the cheesecake if we’re anywhere near it! But, did you know that there are actually two different types of cheesecake?
In this article, we are going to answer the question ‘do you bake cheesecake?’ and delve into the baked vs no baked cheesecake debate, exploring the differences between them, the types of baked and refrigerated cheesecakes available and how long each type of cheesecake will last (not long if you’re anywhere near us!) Let’s jump straight in!
What is cheesecake?
A cheesecake is a type of dessert that consists of a sweetened cream cheese, usually on top of a base of crushed biscuits mixed with butter (unless it’s a Basque cheesecake which has no base). Cheesecakes can come in a number of different flavours. Some of the most popular include vanilla, chocolate and fruit.
Cheesecakes can either be baked or refrigerated, each resulting in a slightly different taste and texture. They can be served plain or topped with different sauces, fruit or chocolate shavings - so basically anything you want!
What is baked cheesecake?
Baked cheesecake has a crust that is usually baked before being filled, in order to hold its shape. Its topping consists of sweetened cream cheese and eggs which needs to be baked in the oven. The addition of the eggs and the time in the oven gives the cheesecake a firmer, smoother texture and creamier mouthfeel.
What is a refrigerated cheesecake?
Refrigerated cheesecakes don’t contain eggs in their topping, they are simply topped with a mixture of cream cheese and cream, flavoured with whatever taste you’re looking for! This type of cheesecake is popped in the fridge for a few hours in order to set. The incorporation of cream into the topping adds a whipped, almost mousse-like texture to the dessert, and the base has a much crumblier bite due to being refrigerated rather than cooked.
Baked vs no baked cheesecake: what are the main differences?
You’ve guessed it, the main difference between baked and no bake cheesecakes is their preparation: the former is baked in the oven to cook the eggs in the filling, and the latter is refrigerated instead. However, there are a couple of other differences between the two cheesecakes.
Preparation time
Baked cheesecake usually takes longer to prepare due to the baking time involved. Depending on your chosen recipe, certain cheesecakes are required to be baked twice, once for the crust and once for the filling. However, the chilling time for a no-bake cheesecake can be upwards of six hours, so both have a fairly long prep time.
Crust
The crust for each cheesecake is prepared in the same way, combining crushed biscuits with melted butter or a different binding agent. However, the crust of a baked cheesecake is often partially-baked before adding the filling to ensure it holds its shape, whereas a refrigerated cheesecake relies on its chilling time and the addition of the binding agent to help it keep its form.
Texture
We’ve touched on this already, but an obvious difference between baked and refrigerated cheesecakes are their textures. A baked cheesecake has a firmer, more velvety texture, whilst a refrigerated cheesecake has a lighter, creamier texture - similar to that of a mousse.
Flavour
Baked cheesecakes have a richer, more luxurious flavour than its non-baked counterpart. The baking process allows the flavours to meld together, resulting in a deeper, more intense taste. Refrigerated cheesecakes tend to have more of a fresh, tangy flavour.
Popular types of cheesecake
Cheesecake is officially the nation's favourite cake, having overtaken traditional Victoria Sponge in a recent poll! There are a number of different flavours of cheesecake, so if you are wondering what type of no bake cheesecake or baked cheesecake to make for your next dinner party, we’re here to help, with some of the most popular ones:
- New York cheesecake (baked) - A classic! Well known for its dense, rich texture and creamy flavour, often topped with raspberry compote or chocolate shavings
- Lemon cheesecake (refrigerated) - A fresh, zesty refrigerated cheesecake often served with a side of fresh fruit
- Burnt Basque cheesecake (baked) - A slightly different type of cheesecake, originating from the Basque region of Spain, with no biscuit base and a deeply caramelised top
- Lotus Biscoff cheesecake (refrigerated) - A modern favourite! Biscoff biscuits are crushed and mixed with melted butter to form the base, and creamy Biscoff spread is combined with cream cheese and cream to make the deliciously sweet, biscuit-y topping!
How long does baked cheesecake last?
If your baked cheesecake is stored correctly (and you’re very good at resisting temptation), your baked cheesecake can last for quite a long time after being baked! In the fridge, baked cheesecakes can last from five to seven days. However, make sure it is stored in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out or absorbing odours from other foods in the fridge.
If you want to freeze your baked cheesecake, wrap it tightly in clingfilm and tin foil or place it in a freezer-safe, airtight container. It can last in the freezer for up to three months, but make sure you thaw it in the fridge for at least a few hours, if not overnight, before eating!
Regardless of whether you store the cheesecake in the fridge or freezer, ensure that you are thoroughly checking it for any signs of spoilage before eating it. Off smells, changes in texture and visible mould are all signs that the cheesecake should be thrown away rather than eaten.
How long does no bake cheesecake last?
Due to the lack of heat processing, no-bake cheesecake tends to have a slightly shorter shelf life than its baked counterpart. However, refrigerated cheesecake can last four to five days when stored in an airtight container in a 4°C fridge, and one to three months when kept in the freezer.
Just like with a baked cheesecake, after taking it out of the freezer, defrost your cheesecake for several hours or overnight to ensure it is fully defrosted and it hasn’t gone off before consuming it.
How Gaya’s Cakes can help
Too impatient to wait for your cheesecake to bake and cool or set in the fridge? Or have you eaten the one you made before the all-important dinner party? Don’t worry, Gaya’s Cakes can help you out!
We offer a rich, deep-filled, slow-baked Brûléed Baked Cheesecake, with a Digestive biscuit crust that doesn’t only form the base of the cake, but also lines the sides for an extra buttery crunch. To top it off (pardon the pun), we brûlée the top of the cheesecake to add a delicious caramelised flavour!
You can even make it extra special by personalising it with a message of your choice on a hand-piped chocolate plaque.
We are confident that this will be a contender for the best cheesecake you will ever taste, but if cheesecakes aren’t your thing, we also have collections of layer cakes, cupcakes and sweet treats that will stun your guests (or yourself!)
Browse our dessert collection online, or visit our Putney bakery!
