How do I prevent a cracked cheesecake? If you ever baked a cheesecake, you likely have consulted with Google or a friend on this one. Just the sight of butter in the fridge generally makes me start whipping up a dessert, which is to say I know my way around a kitchen, but I certainly have not mastered the perfectly formed cheesecake top. Custardy smooth middle. Perfect crust. Check and check. Sometimes with a beautiful crack in the middle.