serve it, even ones you buy sometimes have cracks in them. If you went to the trouble of making such a nice desert for them I am sure they will not be bothered in the least by cracks I know I would not be, it will still taste yummy.

Cover it with a fruit topping and serve it!!! Frankly, cheesecake is all about the delicious flavor. I know that I wouldn't care one bit.

Just what I was thinking! Serve it with a topping. You can slice it before hand and top it with fruit or a sauce. They will never know! It's not unusual for cracks to appear in a cheesecake. Don't stress over it, it will taste wonderful, I'm sure.

That is what I'd do too, cherry pie filling to the rescue. LOL

It will still taste good regardless of the cracks. For lunch today we shared a slice of vanilla bean cheese cake with a white chocolate mousse topping with white chocolate shavings on top. Wish I had the recipe for that mousse!

Your dinner sounds delicious!

Good advice above. I just want to add that the pricey cheesecakes in NYC's famous delis always had cracks in them. No need to feel other than proud of your delicious dessert!

I would serve it with a topping or without.I definitely would eat it either way!LOL I LOVE cheesecake! I have been planning to make one since before Thanksgiving and haven't done it yet.Maybe for Christmas.
I'm sure you already know this but if you will put a pan of water in the oven while the cheesecake is baking it will prevent cracking.The pan should be larger than the cheesecake and filled to about 2 1/2 inches deep with boiling water.Place the pan of water on the bottom rack and the cheesecake on the middle rack directly over the pan of water.Also,when it is done turn off the oven and let it sit in there with the door closed until it is completely cool.I have never had one crack doing it this way.I learned this from a friend who baked many cheesecakes every day for a high class restaurant.

I would slice it and have it on individual plates, then only add topping if they want it. The slices will probably hold up nicely. I always try to loosen the cheesecake from the sides of the pan as soon as I can because they tend to shrink a little as they cool and if is sticking to the sides at all, the space will appear in the middle. If the sides are free it is more likely to pull away from the sides more, rather than split in the middle. Of course, some will just split anyway.

Wouldn't bother me at all, infact I would probably make a joke about it. Something like the cheesecake must have wanted fit in so it's cracked too.....whatever! It's the taste!!!!

Anything some one else prepares for me is much appreciated, no complaints. LOL

I would definitely serve it as is. It will taste just fine! If I have time, I might make the following topping: Eight ounces sour cream, one third cup sugar, one teaspoon vanilla extract ,beaten together. Pour over the cheesecake and bake 5 minutes,cool. I have a really good cheesecake recipe I got from a Jewish friend 35 years ago. The topping is part of her recipe , but I don't usually bother. One thing I often do is put a layer of crushed drained pineapple on the crush, then add the cheesecake filling. The recipe is very flexible. My in-laws demand I make "my" (Actually Laura's) pineapple cheesecake every Christmas.

Absolutely. I love cheesecake. But please don't "ruin" it with topping. I'm a cheesecake purist.

You know once the cheesecake gets cold and firms up those cracks aren't really as noticable. Plus, a good homemade cheesecake is supposed to have cracks!

If you are really concerned about it, like others suggested you can throw something on top like a fruit topping, chocolate ganache, whipped cream, or a layer of sweetened sour cream.

Your dinner sounds fantastic Casey!
I'll bet I can still get a flight! :oD

I have a 3rd option, you could box it up and send it to me. lol Seriously, since it's for close friends, serve it and enjoy the great taste.

Shirley

Yep, those cracks may fill in a bit, then either whip out the cherries, or shaved chocolate or serve it proudly as is.

Load the top with sour cream then top it with cherries.
If your that upset about it, make it into cheese cake bites, and put them in paper cupcake liners.
Yes I would serve it and maybe tell what happen.

I am confused who serves cheese cake that HASN'T cracked?! I was told that is how you know it is cooked through. Chocolate sauce, raspberry sauce...cover it!

If it is something you are going to worry about I'd change the menu and do something tried and true JMHO

Take a taste of it. If it tastes good, serve it. Top it if you like or if they like. What's the difference among friends? Real friends wouldn't care. In fact they'd appreciate the effort and appreciate good taste over good looks.

I don't like cheesecake so I never make it but what I've heard, cracks are usually from dry heat. Electric roasters have a good reputation for crack-free cheesecakes and in an oven, as already suggested, add a pan of hot water. No experience on it so I can't say it's definitely true but just a rumor being passed on.

Enjoy your dinner party and don't fret over it. Tell 'em you live in a "crack house" so what do they expect? :)

Nope, I wouldn't serve it. I would eat as much as I could, then freeze the rest to eat later! I would go to the store and buy a cheesecake to serve. lol Serve it!

If you are going to put sour cream/cherries on top I would mix the sour cream with 2 tbsp sugar and 1tsp of vanilla.

I have found that my cheesecakes were cracking because I would beat them too vigorously and beat too much air into them, thus the cracking. Only beat them until the cream cheese, eggs, and sugar are mixed.

And yes, I would serve it.

No, you absolutely should NOT serve that cheesecake to your guests. You should ship it to me, so that Hubs and I can eat it to make sure that it's ok.

But then you wouldn't have a dessert to serve.

So, of course you should serve it! There's nothing wrong with it at all!

My best cheesecake recipe calls for a topping of sour cream that is mixed with just a little sugar and a tsp of vanilla, mix that, spread on top and chill some more. It makes it even richer and yummier and hides any little imperfections.

Serve it, whatever you do. :)

I'd serve it! Although eating it all by yourself or shipping to your KT friends also sounds good :-)

Casey, if you're in the least worried, I think, for the sole purpose of helping you out, all of us here should do a Taste Test of your cake. It has to be worthy of serving to your close friends, after all!

Yes, proudly serve it and DON'T say a word about it! My MIL is a very good cook, but she has a terrible habit of insulting her own cooking as she serves it. When you apologize for the food as you serve it, you obligate everyone to reassure you about the food, etc etc and it becomes so uncomfortable. Making a cheesecake is work! Serve it proudly and everyone will be very impressed with the delicious flavor of a homemade cheesecake and your fabulous style!

Thank you everyone!!!! I will serve it, sorry I won't be sending any of you any. LOL

I am with all that say not to serve it. I know I am late in seeing this post. I am sure there is some leftover...oh wait. I see you aren't sending any to any of us. LOL I am sure it was to die for! Lucky friends! :)

good choice! I'd serve it too!

Serve it, but I'm with Wildchild - don't ruin it with a topping!

A topping will cover it up! I am sure that's why they started putting toppings on cheesecake.....LOL It happens all the time. By all means serve it!

I forgot to mention- the sour cream topping melds into the cheesecake and you can't even hardly tell that it's on there after it's chilled, it's a just a tiny layer of extra creamyness on top.