The choice between using salted or unsalted butter for cheesecake depends on your personal preference and the specific recipe you're using. Here are some considerations to help you make a decision:
Taste preference: If you enjoy a slightly salty flavor in your desserts and want to add a hint of saltiness to your cheesecake, you can use salted butter. On the other hand, if you prefer a more neutral flavor or want to control the amount of salt in your dessert, go for unsalted butter.
Recipe instructions: Always follow the recipe instructions regarding the type of butter to use. Some recipes might specifically call for one or the other, which can impact the overall taste and texture of the cheesecake.
Salt content: If you use salted butter in a recipe that doesn't call for it, remember that the salt content of salted butter can vary between brands. This might lead to unpredictable results in terms of flavor.
Adjusting salt: If you decide to use unsalted butter but still want to add a touch of salt to enhance the flavors, you can do so by adding a pinch of salt to the cheesecake batter separately.
Crust considerations: If your cheesecake crust already contains a fair amount of salt (e.g., if you use salted crackers or pretzels for the crust), you might want to balance it out with unsalted butter in the filling to avoid an overly salty dessert.
In most cases, both salted and unsalted butter can be used interchangeably in cheesecake recipes. If the recipe doesn't specify which one to use, and you're unsure, unsalted butter is a safe choice as it allows you to have more control over the overall saltiness of the dessert. However, if you enjoy the combination of sweet and salty flavors, using salted butter can be a delightful choice for your cheesecake.