A cheesecake may seem simple enough, but it can actually be one of the hardest pastries to whip up for someone with no experience. And no matter how closely you follow cheesecake recipes, your cake could still fall apart if you don’t know the secret steps. Here are some less-popular, but very effective, cheesecake recipe tips to make your cheesecake a big hit.

Use only the best ingredients. Your cheesecake is just as good as the eggs you use to make it, so be sure to buy only the freshest. You should also be very careful about the cheese you choose – unless you’re on a strict diet, ditch the fat-free cream version and go for the real cream cheese. No matter what health buffs say, the real pastereurized kind still tastes better.

Be sure the ingredients are at room temperature, especially the cream cheese and the eggs. Otherwise, no matter how hard you try, your cheesecake will never be smooth. How do you bake when your cream cheese is frozen? Just microwave it on high for a little less than a minute or until it softens up. If you overdo it and the cream cheese melts, refrigerate it until it is just the right temperature.

Don’t bake the fruit. This tip seems simple enough, and yet many people forget about it. Just add in the fruits as toppings later so they can retain their freshness, flavor, and color.

Don’t peek! Opening the oven door when the cheesecake is not yet baked can ruin it. Your cheesecake can have cracks, or worse, may even fall apart. So restrain yourself until it’s done.

Wait thirty minutes before removing the cheesecake from the oven. After baking, just turn off the oven and let your cheesecake sit for another half hour. This waiting time will make it perfectly puffed and moist.