If you can’t get enough of the delicious and creamy cheesecake, you will want to know all the little details about this treat. For instance, you might want to know if cheesecake contains eggs for allergy reasons or just for the sake of it.
Cheesecake may or may not contain eggs, depending on the recipe and your reasons for making it. Baked cheesecakes have eggs in them. Conversely, you can make no-bake cheesecake without eggs.
Let’s explore more on this topic as we discuss what ingredients make up cheesecake, what eggs do in cheesecake, and so much more.
Are there eggs in cheesecakes?
Yes. Baked cheesecake contains eggs. Although it can be replaced with yogurt, the traditional recipe for cheesecakes includes eggs.
Adding egg to cheesecakes makes them softer, smooth, and soothing. And it makes the cheesecakes more delicious and creamy.
If you do not include eggs in the custard, there will be no need to bake it. Cheesecakes without eggs are known as, “no-bake cheesecake”.
No-bake cheesecake will not hold up well like classic cheesecakes if you don’t refrigerate it. However, it is still a delicious dessert and a good alternative if you’re allergic to eggs.
What are cheesecakes made of?
Cheesecake is made up of crust, filling, and toppings. Although the topping is optional to the recipe. The ingredients in the filling include:
- Cream cheese
- Eggs
- Sugar
- Orange or lemon zest
The crust consists of a graham cracker crust, butter, salt, and sugar. The toppings may be a vanilla extract, sour cream, or whipped cream.
What is the purpose of adding eggs to cheesecake?
Eggs act as a thickening agent and hold everything together. The egg yolk makes the cheesecake smooth and fluffy.
Without eggs, the cheesecake will not hold up nicely unless it is refrigerated. Also, cheesecake without eggs is not always as creamy and delicious as the classic cheesecake with eggs.
But you must be careful not to add too much egg as it makes your cheesecake lose its creamy texture.
What happens if you add too many eggs to your cheesecake?
As aforementioned, you should be careful not to go overboard with eggs when making cheesecake.
Too many eggs in the mix will make it dry up and leave you with a souffle. You may also end up overbaking it into sweet bread instead.
So, as much as egg helps to smoothen, soften, and thicken cheesecake, adding too many can make your favorite dessert undesirable.
You want your cheesecake to turn out crispy and tasty so ensure to use the right amount of egg in your recipe.
What can replace egg in cheesecake?
If you’re allergic to eggs but would love to eat cheesecake, below are some alternatives to eggs:
- Water from canned chickpeas
- Condensed milk
- Silken tofu
- Mashed banana
- Yogurt
- Buttermilk
All these replacements can either help you bind the cheesecake mix together or give your cheesecake a rich and creamy texture. However, you cannot substitute these ingredients with eggs in a 1:1 ratio.
Can vegans eat cheesecake?
Yes. Vegans can eat cheesecake, but it depends on the recipe. Cheese and eggs are dairy products in cheesecake. Since vegans do not eat dairy products, you’d need to find a substitute for them in your recipe.
Some common ingredients for vegan cheesecake include coconut milk, peanut butter or any other nut butter, coconut shreds, and gelatin. If you’re allergic to nuts, you can stick to the other alternatives but ensure that the gelatin is plant-based.
You can also go to the store to buy a vegan cheesecake. But if you love homemade food, there are a lot of vegan recipes online that you can check out.
Although vegan cheesecake doesn’t taste so much like classic cheesecake, it is still a delicious dessert.
What makes a cheesecake crack?
Cheesecake cracks due to air. While baking, the cheesecake rises because of the air present in the batter and due to the egg’s albumen.
This air escapes while the cheesecake cools off after baking. As a result, the cheesecake cracks.
But there are ways to reduce cracks in cheesecake. See a few ways below:
- Use a water bath in the mix to increase its moisture and not overcook
- Slow down the cooling process and reduce the air added to the cake
- Also, you can reduce the cooking temperature, so the cake doesn’t rise too quickly and leave it in the oven for at least 15 minutes after baking. This way the air pockets will reduce drastically
- Finally, top your cheesecake with whip cream and strawberry to cover up the crack if you want your cake to be more presentable
FAQs
Must you put eggs in cheesecakes?
No. You must not include eggs in your cheesecake recipe. There are cheesecake recipes for people with egg allergies and those following a vegan diet.
Can you eat cheesecake when pregnant?
Cheesecake is safe for pregnant women if it doesn’t contain unpasteurized cheese and egg.
Does cheesecake have uncooked eggs?
No. The eggs are baked along with the mix.
Final thoughts
The classic and traditional cheesecake includes eggs in its recipe. However, there are cheesecake recipes for vegans and individuals with egg allergies.
Additionally, cheesecakes with eggs require baking, but those without eggs don’t require baking.
For no-bake cheesecake, you can use alternatives like condensed milk, and water from canned and chickpeas. This way you can enjoy your special cheesecake dessert without worry.
I hope this article was helpful. Thanks for reading.
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