Why You Shouldn't Bake The Crust For No-Bake Cheesecake
When you choose to indulge in a piece of cheesecake, you want it to be worth the extra calories, right? No one wants an overcooked or soggy crust, tasteless and runny filling, or syrupy toppings. No-bake cheesecake is super simple to make, but if you don't follow the instructions precisely, the dessert is destined for disaster. How do you get to the perfect no-bake cheesecake? Practice, practice, practice.
No-bake cheesecake is a simple dessert you can share when it's done right; it's a cheesecake that does not require one bit of baking. The pie crust is usually a store-bought graham cracker crust or chocolate cookie crust, and the filling is homemade. There are no eggs involved and no flour to be measured, however, the cheesecake must be refrigerated due to the dairy ingredients that are incorporated into the filling (via Baking Kneads). Overall, making a no-bake cheesecake is a quick and convenient way to whip up a dessert for your last-minute gathering. So, why shouldn't you bake the pie crust?
The excess butter seeps into the crust
There are several options when it comes to no-bake pie crusts, according to Crazy For Crust. Graham crackers, shortbread, peanut butter cookie, and chocolate chip cookie are some of the most common. These crusts are premade and molded into a pie pan. They require no baking because they are already cooked and ready for use. Talk about convenience!
Some people may be tempted to pop their no-bake pie crust into the oven, but don't fall for the temptation. According to Kitchn, no-bake pie crusts contain more fat than a traditional unbaked crust. This fat comes from the excess butter in the crust ingredients. When the no-bake crust is baked, it causes the pie filling to seep into the crust, resulting in a sad pie mess.
Instead, the Kitchn recommends you chill the ready crust for at least ten minutes (or longer) before filling it with the pie filling. They explain that the ingredients in no-bake pie crusts include a high amount of butter. When the crust is refrigerated it becomes more sturdy, which makes for a solid pie structure. So, the next time you're ready to indulge in a treat, skip the baking and enjoy a pie the no-bake way.