Can You Freeze Cream Cheese?

Cream cheese is so good. It goes well in so many different things, savory or sweet.

It can be an ingredient in a dish or can be used as a spread all on its own.

I pretty much always have access to cream cheese at home – it’s a kitchen staple.

The one and only flaw to the delicious creamy cheesy goodness? It doesn’t have the greatest shelf life.

Can You Freeze Cream Cheese?

And I don’t know about you but nothing pains me more than throwing away and wasting something as tasty as cream cheese.

And that’s why I finally just had to find the answer to the question that kept circling around in my brain: can I freeze cream cheese?

Well, I found the answer and now I’m going to share it with all you lovely people. And the truth is, yes, you can freeze cream cheese.

Keep reading on to find out how to do so!

How To Freeze Cream Cheese?

Sometimes people can be a bit apprehensive when it comes to freezing soft cheese. And I must admit that initially, I was one of those people.

But if you want to extend the longevity of your cream cheese there is no reason why you can’t freeze it, take it from someone who has tried and tested it.

It’s also really simple to do. Just put it in the freezer. Yup, it really is that simple.

The only other thing to really say on the subject is that you should keep the cream cheese in the package and cardboard it was originally in to avoid freezer burn.

Some people also like to go another step further and pop the package into a zip-lock airtight freezer bag.

Whether you do this is up to you, but I don’t personally think it makes all that much difference.

The protection of the aluminum foil and the cardboard will do the job perfectly well.

Does Freezing Cream Cheese Affect Its Taste & Texture?

Alas, yes. I suppose everything comes at a price, and for that extended shelf life, it’ll cost you that fresh and creamy taste and texture.

When cream cheese comes out of the freezer it’s pretty grainy and crumbly.

This is because during the temperature drop the water and the milk separate.

I wouldn’t really recommend frozen cream cheese for being spread on your bagels and toast (though if you really want to, I have tips below on how to do so).

But for recipes that call for added cream cheese, it will work perfectly fine, you probably won’t even notice the change of texture in this instance.

Uses For Frozen Cream Cheese

So, if you want to use your cream cheese as a spread, you’ll need to give it a little TLC to get it up to standard both flavor and texture-wise.

The first thing that I’d suggest trying is mixing it up with a spoon once it’s thawed.

If you try that and it’s still pretty grainy, I’d recommend popping it into a microwave for around 30 seconds.

Once you’ve done this, whizz it up in the blender and it should have a thicker and creamier consistency.

After it’s then been in the fridge a little while it should cool down and harden back into its original creamy consistency.

It can also be used as an ingredient in many other recipes.

Frozen cream cheese doesn’t tend to be a good choice if you are baking a cheesecake, but as far as pound cakes go…oh wow.

It also goes great in biscuits, baked dips, and casseroles.

Can You Freeze Cream Cheese Frosting?

Can You Freeze Cream Cheese Frosting?

Okay, so you know about cream cheese but what about cream cheese frosting? Do the same rules apply here?

Well, actually, the freezer is much kinder to cream cheese frosting than it is ordinary cream cheese.

Because cream cheese frosting has a much higher fat content, it freezes much better.

If you pop it into an airtight container before it goes in the freezer, it can stay there for as long as three months and still taste great once it’s thawed.

However, it is important to note that it isn’t safe to leave cream cheese frosting at room temperature. So you’ll need to let it thaw out in the fridge.

What I usually do is pop it into the fridge in the morning if I want to decorate the cake in the evening.

You could let it thaw overnight in the fridge too.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Freeze Philadelphia Cream Cheese?

Yes, like any other cream cheese, you can freeze Philadelphia.

However, you may need to mix it well upon thawing to ensure it doesn’t go bitty or grainy.

How Do You Defrost Frozen Cream Cheese?

The best way to thaw cream cheese is to leave it in the refrigerator overnight.

It can be left for several hours in the refrigerator if you need it earlier, but it is good practice to give it 12 hours to fully thaw out.

How Do I Know If Cream Cheese Has Gone Bad?

You can usually tell that your cream cheese has gone bad if you notice changes in its appearance, particularly its color.

If it goes slimy or dry then it isn’t safe to eat.

Similarly, if you notice it turning a yellow color or see any moldy specs and spots, then you will want to throw out your cream cheese.

Why Is My Cream Cheese Liquidy?

Sometimes you’ll notice a clear liquid form on the top. This can happen sometimes with Philadelphia cheese.

But don’t worry, that doesn’t always mean that your cheese has gone bad. This can often just be a result of syneresis which is totally normal.

This is a harmless separation of liquid from the cream cheese. It won’t affect the taste of the cream cheese.

You can either just mix it back in with the cheese or you can just pour it away.

Final Thoughts

Cream cheese is totally tasty and totally freezable too!

Literally, all you have to do is close that lid up, pop it back in its cardboard, and chuck it into the freezer.

So if you ever see cream cheese for cheap on sale, why not stock up and keep it in your freezer?

Sure the texture and flavor can change slightly, but all you’ll need to do is put it in the microwave for a couple of seconds and then blend it to get that lovely creamy texture back again.

Jenna
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