Drastic temperature changes will encourage the cheesecake to crack. So to prevent cracks it is important to let the cheesecake cool in the turned-off oven after it's done baking. Let the oven door open ajar, you can use a wooden spoon to keep it open just a little. After the cheesecake has cooled in the oven for an hour then let it cool on the counter at room temperature for another hour before transferring to the refrigerator to chill.