To me, cream cheese is one of the best cheeses out there. It’s so versatile, I can use it with anything! Show
You can use it to make pastries, sauces, dips, and even ice cream! And of course, it’s also great as a simple spread on bagels and toast. This is a kitchen staple that I always have on hand. Want to save this blog post? Enter your email below and we'll send the article straight to your inbox! Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.If you’re like me and can’t get enough of cream cheese, you might wonder if there are ways to make it last longer. Will it keep well even if you freeze it? I’ve asked myself the same question, and the answer is: yes… but stick around to learn how!  How to Freeze Cream CheeseSince cream cheese is a soft cheese, people often have qualms about freezing it. But, if extending the shelf life is your goal, freezing it will definitely get the job done. It’s simple, really. Just pop it into the freezer. Be sure to leave it in the package and the cardboard box it came in. That’s it. No special preparations needed. Some people place the boxed cheese in an additional layer of freezer-safe bag or plastic wrap, but that’s not really necessary. The aluminum foil plus the cardboard box is more than enough. Just to set your expectations though, frozen cream cheese won’t be nearly as good as it is fresh. It becomes crumbly and grainy as its water content separates from the milk. Sure, it won’t be the same, but you at least get to preserve it for up to 4 to 6 months. Be sure to label the package so you know how long it’s still good for. Also, don’t forget to thaw it in the fridge before using it. Here’s a tip: if you plan on freezing cream cheese, buy one with higher fat content. Low-fat cream cheese doesn’t fare as well in the freezer. Freezing an already-opened pack of cream cheese is a different story, though. To give it a higher chance of surviving, combine it with whipping cream before freezing. The cream works as a sort of bonding agent, helping the cream cheese retain its creaminess during freezing. To use, thaw it in the fridge and give it another round in the mixer to restore its texture. Voila! Uses for Frozen Cream CheeseIf you want to use defrosted cream cheese as a spread, you can try to make it creamy again by mixing it with a spoon.If that doesn’t work, pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds and then stick it in a blender. Mix until smooth and creamy. When you put it back in the fridge, it should harden back to it’s natural cream cheese consistency. Although, the texture might be slightly different than a fresh pack of cream cheese. Want to save this blog post? Enter your email below and we'll send the article straight to your inbox! Notice: JavaScript is required for this content.Frozen cream cheese, once thawed, has several other uses too. It might not work well in a cheesecake, but you can still use it as an ingredient to make other recipes such as pound cakes, casseroles, biscuits, and baked dips. The idea is – if the texture of the cream cheese doesn’t matter, then go for it. So the next time you see cream cheese on sale, go ahead and buy a few extra packs! Then throw a few in the freezer for safe keeping. Once thawed, it can be used in a variety of baked dishes and spread over a bagel. But if you’re looking for a smooth and creamy spread, just be sure to microwave for 30 seconds and then throw it in a blender. Let me know how it turns out for you. If you have any other tips and tricks, please share them in the comments below! When you buy cream cheese on sale or in bulk, you may want to know if can you freeze cream cheese. Simply put, yes, cream cheese can be frozen. Fortunately, freezing cream cheese is really easy and it freezes well. It is an ingredient that works great in sweet and savory dishes; therefore, having it on hand as a staple in your house may be important. Since I use it a lot, I have often purchased the big brick of cream cheese at Costco and frozen some to use later. Philadephia cream cheese can be frozen in large bricks, individual boxes, and any partially used leftovers. I like to buy it ahead of time for my holiday baking in goodies like my M&M Christmas Bar Cookies.
Will Frozen Cream Cheese be Crumbly?You can safely freeze cream cheese but the texture will change and result in a quality that is less creamy. Once thawed or defrosted, frozen cream cheese will lose some of its water and become less creamy. It will become crumbly or grainy which is not appealing to use as a spread on your bagel for example. The reason for this is that cream cheese is about half water, which makes it sensitive to the creation and melting of ice crystals that occur when freezing and thawing it. During freezing the water separates from the cheese curds so when cream cheese is thawed it becomes grainy like ricotta or cottage cheese. How to Freeze Cream CheeseFresh cream cheese will last in the refrigerator for about a week once opened. After that, the shelf life is limited and may not be safe or fresh. A closed package that is close to the expiration date or a large opened cream cheese that has some remaining should be frozen if not used timely. Both unopened or opened cream cheese packages can be frozen easily. If done correctly, cream cheese can last for months in the freezer and remain safe to eat. Here are the easiest ways to preserve your extra or leftover cream cheese. Freezing Unopened Cream CheeseIf you want to freeze an unopened block of cream cheese, it couldn't be easier. Simply put the blocks as is in your freezer. There is no need to unwrap it or transfer it into another container or Ziplock. The foil wrapping and cardboard box that cream cheese comes in is the ideal protection against freezer burn. Freezing Opened Cream CheeseIf you have partially used a block of cream cheese, that opened amount that is remaining can still be frozen. To freeze leftover cream cheese, you will want to get it into an airtight container. I recommend spooning it into an airtight container or tightly wrapping the block if it is still in a square or rectangular shape. Below is my favorite step-by-step guide on how to freeze opened but unused leftover cream cheese. Freezing Soft, Whipped, or Dips with Cream CheeseSoft creamy or whipped cream cheese freezes well and it is quite easy to do. These methods work for both soft or whipped cream cheese that you buy in plastic tubs. For dips made from cream cheese, they can freeze well too. All three can be frozen. If you have an unopened tub, simply place it in the freezer. It can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. To defrost whipped cream cheese, place the frozen tub in the refrigerator. It should be thawed and ready to use in 48 hours. If you have an opened tub of whipped cream cheese that you want to freeze, you can do that too. There are two easy ways to do this. You can tightly wrap plastic wrap directly over the layer of cream cheese (do not leave air between it or that will cause freezer burn). Then place the lid back on the tub and place it in the freezer. You can also remove it from the tub and put it in an air-tight freezer Ziploc bag. Be sure to squeeze out all the excess air. How Long Will Cream Cheese Last in the FreezerFrozen cream cheese can last for up to 2 months in the freezer. As long as it is stored properly in an airtight container or in its original wrapping for unopened packages, cream cheese will be safe to use for about 8 weeks and kept in the freezer. Keep in mind, anything that has "freezer burn" should not be consumed and thrown out. Freezer burn not only affects taste but also the safety of the product so you do not want this to happen. If it does, please throw out the frozen cream cheese. How to Defrost Cream CheeseTo defrost cream cheese, simply place the block or container in the refrigerator. Plan this ahead of time when you want to use it. Depending on the size of the block of cream cheese, it can take a few hours or overnight to thaw safely in the refrigerator. Is cream cheese good 6 months after expiration date?According to Philadelphia Cream Cheese, under normal refrigerator conditions of 40° at all times, an unopened package of cream cheese is good 1 month past the “Best When Purchased By” date on the carton. Once opened, cream cheese should be used within 10 days.
Why should you not freeze cream cheese?This is because ice crystals form during the freezing process. Cream cheese is approximately half water, emulsified with cheese curds. The ice crystals break down the emulsion, causing the water and cheese curds to separate, leaving a grainy, crumbly consistency once the cream cheese is thawed.
Can you freeze cheese for 2 years?To freeze cheese, portion, wrap, and pack it in an airtight container before rapidly freezing it. Use it within 6–9 months. Frozen cheese should be thawed in the refrigerator and is best used in cooked dishes.
Can you freeze Philadelphia cheese?Can I freeze Philadelphia? Unfortunately, Philadelphia cannot be frozen as it breaks down the texture of the cheese resulting in an inferior product. However, both baked and chilled cheesecakes can be frozen, although please note that the texture of the thawed cheesecake may alter.
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How long can you freeze cream cheese
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