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Have you ever used a springform pan only to find that the soft cream or delicate biscuit of your beautiful cheesecake stuck to the edges? I know I certainly have. I’m sure not alone on this either, I’m willing to bet many bakers have experienced the panic of having baked the perfect cheesecake only to realize it has become stuck to the bottom and sides of the pan.
It is likely that there are a few factors that are making it difficult to remove the cheesecake, however, the good news is that all these problems can be easily resolved.
Even so, I know how frustrating this can be. A springform pan is intended to simplify the process, not complicate it. You would expect removing the dessert is as simple as just unlocking the tin and releasing the cake in one swift action.
The ease with which your cheesecake can be removed from the pan ultimately depends on the preparation of the tin before baking. You will also want to think about how soon after the baking process you are trying to remove the cheesecake, too soon and you run the risk of cracking your dessert.
Here, I am going to cover everything you need to know about how to remove a cheesecake from a springform pan, with the least amount of stress and tears.
Let’s get started!
When to remove cheesecake from the springform pan?
Before we talk about how to remove cheesecake from a springform pan, I first want to talk about when is the best time to do this.
So you have baked a delicious cheesecake, but not sure when is the best time to transfer it from the pan. The golden rule is to cool the cake overnight in a refrigerator, ideally for 12 hours. Alternatively, you could use a blast chiller commonly used in commerical kitchens when in a rush. The cheesecake must be set firm before removing it from the mold. Otherwise, the soft filling will become a sticky mess, and the crust will crumble.
If you try to remove a cheesecake while it is still in the cooling phase, you will discover that it is near impossible to transfer. Therefore, the best time to de-mold the dessert would be the next day after baking it. After successfully moving the showpiece, place it on a cake board and use a container and lid to store it. Also, you should keep the cake away from direct sunlight as it may become too warm during the removal process.
The best ways to remove a baked cheesecake from a springform pan
So you have spent time and effort baking a mouth-watering dessert and now have the daunting task of removing it from the pan. There are a few of my favorite tips and tricks you can use to remove the cheesecake effortlessly without it breaking apart.
Firstly, put the cheesecake in the fridge overnight to cool. Remember, this is a really important step, leaving your cheesecake to cool is crucial to helping the cheesecake to set. Once a cheesecake has been left a sufficient amount of time, I guarantee you should find it is significantly easier to release from the pan without falling apart.
If you are still struggling to remove the cheesecake, despite leaving a sufficient amount of time for it to set, then I have a few more remedies for you to try.
Firstly, if you have a blow torch handy, you can gently heat up the edges of the tin to warm up the sides gently. This will soften the cream cheese around the sides of the metal tin and allow it to slide off the sides. Be sure not to overheat the pan, or you run the risk of melting large chunks of your cheesecake.
If you don’t have a blow torch in your baking arsenal, fear not, there are other ways to get that bad boy out.
You can also use a pallet knife to create a gap between the metal ring and the crust before removing the springform pan. This will loosen the edges away from the tin and soften the butter inside the biscuit.
Here’s a video showing you how this method is done:
Easy-peasy, right?
How to remove cheesecake from the springform pan bottom?
You may have mastered the trick of removing the edge of the pan, but still haven’t spoken about the most challenging part, the base.
Again, before transferring the dessert to a cake stand or plate, ensure it is chilled and firm. Then, using a pallet knife, swiftly run it underneath the cheesecake’s crust all around the edges. This will prevent the cake from clinging to the base as it’s lifted.
Next, use a large flat pallet knife to lift the cheesecake away from the base onto the desired display piece. You can use your hands to hold the bottom as the crust should be firm enough to hold together without crumbling. Also, you can carefully slide the baked treat onto a cake mat on a flat work surface. You can do this by placing the cake board underneath the crust and pushing it forward gently until it is transferred.
What is the top hack for removing a no-bake cheesecake from a springform pan?
You have likely removed a baked cheesecake from a tin but are unsure of how to remove a no-bake cheesecake. In contrast, a baked version has the crust to protect the cake’s exterior, a non-bake cheesecake does not. Therefore, removing the non-baked treat is more complex as the edges may stick to the side, making it look untidy. Also, applying too much heat to remove the cake may cause it to melt and lose its shape.
A few things you can do is to ensure the cheesecake is kept in the fridge overnight to chill down and firm up. Then gently using the blow torch, warm up the sides of the springform pan. This will loosen up the edges and pull away from the tin with one smooth motion. Additionally, you could freeze the cheesecake and use the blow torch method as it will give a cleaner look. However, ensure you leave enough time for the cake to defrost before serving.
How to prepare the springform pan before baking the cheesecake?
There are two ways a springform pan can be prepared to make it easier to remove a cheesecake after it has set. The steps for the baked version are first to wrap the base of the tin in aluminum foil. Next, line the bottom with baking paper to keep the crust from sticking to the base. Finally, you can use butter spray on the round edge of the pan to prevent the biscuit from attaching to it after baking.
Also, you can line the edges of the tin with parchment paper if this feels more secure to hold the cheesecake together while removing it. Furthermore, with non- bake cheesecakes, line the bottom of the mold with baking paper and grease the edges with butter spray. It isn’t necessary to use parchment on the edges as it may interfere with the natural round shape of the cake.
Get baking!
It can be an enjoyable experience baking a cheesecake once you become familiar with the simple techniques to remove the cake from the pan without it falling apart. It would benefit you to purchase a non-stick springform pan as its coating reduces the risk of the cake sticking to the metal. Also, avoid baking with an old metal tin as the surface may have lost its quality and non-stick feature. After gathering all the top tips for de-molding cheesecakes, you can confidently follow our methods to achieve flawless results.
