Can You Freeze Cream Cheese?
Cream chase is a perfect mild-tasting fresh product made from milk and natural dairy products. Many people haven’t been able to resist cream cheese not only because of the sweet taste but also the health benefits.Â
The taste of delicious and soft taste is just on another level. Cream cheese comprises stabilizers such as carrageenan and carob bean gum in industrial production.
Since cream cheese is a dairy product known to comprise excellent bacteria, many people want to buy plenty of it. But what happens if you can’t eat it all at once? You’ll be wondering if you can freeze the leftovers for future use. Or what can you do to retain its freshness? Let’s find the answers in this article.
Table of Contents
Can you freeze cream cheese?
Of course! Cream cheese is a milk product that is prone to expiry when not well preserved. When you plan to buy more cheese cream than you can eat in a single day, the need for freezing comes in. You don’t have to limit yourself to only buying enough for the day because you can buy plenty and freeze. Â
But when you freeze cheese, you must also understand that the cream will lose its texture. Instead of the desired creamy and delicious texture, the frozen and defrosted cheese will apply grainy and crumbly. The cream cheese also becomes less creamy than it was before freezing.
The best way to use frozen or defrost cheese in baked foods and other dishes where the cream cheese will easily melt. You need to wrap the cheese excellently before putting it in a deep freezer.
How to Freeze Cream Cheese?
Proper freezing of your cream cheese is important if you don’t want to risk spoiling it. You must know that this daily product is very perishable and even in the freezer, it still requires careful handling. Here are three simple steps you must undertake when freezing cheese.
- Gently place a portion of cream cheese into a resealable freezer quality plastic bag, push all the air out.
- Label and seal the bag for easy identification.
- Place the cream cheese into the freezer laying it as flat as possible.
Even after following the above procedures keenly, you still need to carefully give your cheese by giving it proper timing in the freezer. If you miss the timing, it can result in denaturing of the active bacteria present in the cream. Don’t over freeze your cream.
Freezing Unopened Cream Cheese
Unopened cream cheese freezing is another economical way of freezing cream cheese for a couple of months. This is where your cream cheese goes straight to the freezer as soon as you buy it. You’ll need the foil wrapping and cardboard box to provide more than enough protection from excessive freezer burn.
Many people consider freezing unopened cream cheese easy and more convenient. This is because the frozen cream cheese stays fresh for up to two months. So, if you plan to freeze your cream cheese for a long time, consider the unopened can.
Freezing Opened Cream Cheese
What if you open the can of cream cheese but can’t use the rest of it? Well, you can still freeze it only that you’re going to use a much different method from that of the unopened can. With the proper freezing procedure, opened cream cheese can still retain its nutritional benefits. To freeze opened cream cheese, follow these simple steps:
- Transfer the cream cheese to an airtight container before freezing
- Label the container with the storage date before sticking it in the freezer
- Don’t freeze the cream cheese for more than two months
It’s unhealthy to feed on frozen cream cheese, especially for your dental health. So, before you give a taste, ensure you mix it thoroughly to lighten its texture and make it smooth for easy consumption.
How do you make frozen cream cheese creamy again?
Regardless of what method you will use of freeze cream cheese, it will probably get frozen as the result of the process. But will you consume it frozen? Of course, not! There’s a reason why it’s called cream cheese. How do you make your delicious cheese creamy again?
If your cheese has completely defrosted, transfer it all into a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave your cream cheese for at least 10 seconds.
Gently stir the cream cheese to ensure you collect all of it from the sides of the bowl. If possible, repeat the procedure until the cheese reaches a creamy consistency of your choice. Â
How to Thaw Frozen Cream Cheese
You can freeze cream cheese to preserve its nutritional bacteria. However, it may be unhealthy to consume it while still in a frozen structure. The frozen cheese also portrays a different texture. You need to thaw it before consuming it.Â
If you need it to retain its taste and good texture, don’t quicken the thawing process. Give it enough time. Here is how to thaw your frozen cheese to make it fit for consumption.
- First, thaw frozen cream cheese in the fridge for 24 hours
- Once the cheese has fully defrosted, transfer it into a clean microwave-safe bowl
- At least Microwave the cheese for 10 seconds
- Stir the cream cheese and make sure nothing remains stuck on the sides of the bowl.Â
- Have your cream cheese ready for consumption
How long does it take to thaw cream cheese?
Are you eager to having cream cheese? If yes, then get to know it doesn’t take long to thaw cream cheese but still, the longer the better for taste retention.
It takes about 30 minutes on the counter to soften significantly. It as well takes about an hour to come to room temperature fully. However, all these depend on the temperature both outside and in your kitchen environment.
If you’re craving your cheese and you can’t wait for the 30 minutes defrost time, you can shorten it. You can cut the time down to seconds and still get the best cream cheese. Wow! This is amazing.
How to Use Defrosted Cream Cheese
No matter what condition the cream cheese is, be it frozen or defrosted, you still need to use it. Sometimes it becomes an uphill task to use defrosted cream cheese because of its frosted nature. Here is the best way to use your defrost cream cheese.
Remove cheese cream from the deep freezer and let it sit in the refrigerator all night. This will give it enough time to thaw. With the estimated 24 hours, the cheese’s consistency will slightly change during the freezing and thawing process.
Frosted cream cheese will have a full thaw and become ready for use. If the procedure doesn’t work for the first time, give it another try until you achieve what you want.
Uses for Frozen Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is a perfect milk product that provides the body with several vitamins and healthy vitamins. You can eat cream cheese using several recipes. But when it’s already defrosted, there are other recipes you cannot use it for because of the change of taste and consistency.
It will not be suitable to eat with crackers or even spread on bagels. The cream will not be as creamy anymore hence not suitable for spreading.  Â
But you can still use your defrosted cream cheese in many other recipes. The most common one involves using it in baked dishes.
Cream cheese cookies
This is one of the uses of frozen cream cheese. Use those cans of defrosted cheese to make some sweet homemade cookies. Your children will love some snacks when they’re just bored at home. The altered texture of your cream cheese will not be noticeable in cookies
Cream cheese pound cake
This is another use of frozen cream cheese if you love baking. Your defrost cheese will make a good breakfast cake or a dessert. Your cream cheese will give you a very delicious cake.
Other recipes you can make with your cream cake include;
- Baked spaghetti pie casserole with cheese sauce
- Baked cream cheese dip
- Chicken casserole with cream cheese
FAQs
Does Philadelphia cream cheese freeze well?
Yes, Philadelphia cream cheese is just like any other cream cheese found in the market. It also freezes well and using the same methods you use for other types of cream cheese.
One fantastic thing with Philadelphia is that you can freeze it, but the texture will change considerably. Frozen Philadelphia cream cheese appears crumbly and losses its texture after it thaws. Hence, Philadelphia cream cheese can freeze excellently. Don’t be afraid to give yourself a taste of this cream cheese and buy as many cans as possible if you find it on sale.
Can you use cream cheese if it’s been frozen?
Yes. Although unopened cream cheese can be stored straight in the freezer in its original packaging structures. Correctly wrap with clean foil and cardboard box to give it more than enough protection from freezer burn. Other than the teeth’ safety, there is no other danger of using cream cheese in its frozen state.
But if you care about your teeth or mind the difference in taste, you should consider defrosting your frozen cream cheese before eating or using it in a given recipe.
Why does cream cheese last so long?
The cheese is majorly packed using robust Plastic containers, high-quality foil that preserves the moisture content of cream cheese. Some of these packaging materials also play a major role in shielding the cream cheese from other causes of spoilage. This means the cream can last long enough as long as it has suitable packaging.
Good numbers of these Cream cheese products are processed by the hot-pack method that makes them last for an extended period of 3-6 months. You still get it fresh after the period.
If you want your cream cheese to last longer, ensure you follow the appropriate packaging procedure, use the best packaging materials, and the right temperature.
Conclusion
If you were asking whether you can freeze cream cheese or not, you have your answers. It’s possible to freeze your cream cheese for up to two months and not interfere with its nutritional value. The only thing you’ll compromise is the creamy texture and taste. But freezing will not prevent you from using your cheese in several recipes such as baking.
So, the next time you find your favorite cream cheese flavor on sale and tempted to buy several cans, don’t be afraid to do so. Take as many cans as you can, freeze them, and have an endless supply of cheese for the next two months.
Have you tried freezing cream cheese before? How did the cheese turn out and what recipe did you use it for? Share your recipes and experience with us.
How To Freeze Cream Cheese (2 Minutes)
Proper freezing of your cream cheese is important if you don’t want to risk spoiling it. You must know that this daily product is very perishable and even in the freezer, it still requires careful handling. Here are three simple steps you must undertake when freezing cheese.
Materials
- Plastic bag
Instructions
- Gently place a portion of cream cheese into a resealable freezer quality plastic bag, push all the air out.
- Label and seal the bag for easy identification.
- Place the cream cheese into the freezer laying it as flat as possible.
Notes
Even after following the above procedures keenly, you still need to carefully give your cheese by giving it proper timing in the freezer. If you miss the timing, it can result in denaturing of the active bacteria present in the cream. Don’t over freeze your cream.