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Can you freeze cream cheese?

Cream cheese is a popular dairy product which you can use as a spread for bagels, breads or crackers, and it also goes well with many baking recipes such as cheesecakes or a cauliflower cheese bake.

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The only problem is that it does not have a long shelf shelf life after it has been opened and you would typically need to use it within a 10 days.

However, it can be common to have plenty of cream cheese leftover which can lead to food wastage if you do not have any plans to use it.

The good news is that you do not need throw this away and you can freeze cream cheese up to 6 months.

The not so good news is that it will become grainy and it will lose its texture. Therefore, if you intend to reuse it as a spread, it will not work. However, it is perfectly fine to freeze leftover cream cheese for baking recipes where you can just throw in the ingredient.

How long does cream cheese last?

To know how long your cream cheese product will last can depend on the label instruction because it will vary.

If unopened, simply follow the use by date which is usually up to 1 month.

If opened, it is best advised to use the cream cheese within 7-10 days. If you do not plan to use it within this date, you can freeze the cream cheese for any upcoming recipes.

How to Freeze Cream Cheese

It is worth knowing that because cream cheese is a dairy product, it will freeze but it will lose its solid texture and become crumbly. 

This would be pointless if you are intending to reuse the cream cheese as a spread on a bagel but it would be perfect if you are using it as an ingredient for a baking recipe or any recipe where it will melt.

If you are intending to freeze unopened cream cheese, you can simply follow the instructions on its original packaging which you can straight place in the freezer.

For opened cream cheese, simply follow these steps:

  1. Insert the cream cheese in a freezer bag or container – depending on how much you have. 
  2. Ensure that the freezer bag is tightly sealed and you remove as much air as possible. If you re using a container, ensure you wrap the cream cheese around cling fim or plastic wrap to prevent freezer burn.
  3. Label your bag or container with the freeze date.You can also freeze flavored cream cheese. Doing it will work the same way as freezing and defrosting regular cream cheese.

How Long Can You Keep Cream Cheese in The Freezer

Cream cheese will last up to 6 months in the freezer which is why if you have any leftovers, it would be a huge waste to simply throw it out because there are many good uses to keep it stocked.  

How to Defrost Cream Cheese

It is most likely that you will be defrosting cream cheese for a particular baking recipe which you can throw into a mixture and allow it to blend. This can be anything from a cheesecake or a cauliflower cheese bake.

Place it in the fridge overnight to allow it to thaw. You can also leave it at room temperature if you are at home. 

It will most likely turn into a grainier texture which is because it has a high water content and mostly consists of fat which leads to more ice crystals when stored in the freezer.

As a result, the texture will not be as solid but this would not be an issue if you are using it as an ingredient for a baking recipe.

The key is to make defrosted cream cheese creamy again with a whisk or fork. 

The best way you can quickly defrost cream cheese are:

Microwave: 

  1. Allow the cream cheese to thaw in the fridge for 20-24 hours. 
  2. Transfer it into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it for 10-15 seconds.
  3. Give it a good solid stir. 
  4. Add an additional 5 seconds until you reach a creamy consistency.

Can you freeze cream cheese frosting?

You can freeze cream cheese frosting for up to 3 months and it is great hack for speeding up time for your baking recipe.