Although using a water bath is one great way to prevent your cheesecake from drying out and cracking, this recipe uses such a low oven temperature, you do not have to worry about that. If you are planning to cook it at a higher temperature for a shorter period of time, using a water bath is recommended for a crack-free cheesecake. Some people have said that turning the oven off and letting the cheesecake cool off inside with the oven door cracked for one hour is also a good crack deterrent.