Last Updated on March 25, 2022
If you have any cream cheeses stored in your freezer, you will want to know how to make frozen cream cheese creamy again. Freezing cream cheese is a great way to store it if you don’t plan on using it right away. It will stay fresh in your freezer, so you don’t have to worry about it growing any mold.
Cream cheese is a versatile ingredient, great for use in many dishes including cheesecakes, frostings, sauces, dips, spreads, and more. Since cream cheese is a dairy product that is perishable, it has only a limited shelf life, especially once you open it. Fortunately, you can still have creamy cream cheese even after freezing it.
How To Freeze Cream Cheese
If you are worried you won’t be able to use your cream cheese before it expires, you can freeze it. When properly stored in the freezer, cream cheese will last for up to two months.
During the freezing process, your cream cheese may undergo some changes in texture and consistency. Though it will still be safe to eat, it may not be ideal for using in certain dishes.
Due to its water content, cream cheese may become grainy when frozen. Though it will likely be fine to use in recipes where it gets mixed into a dough, batter, or sauce, for other uses it might not be ideal.
Whenever you are using cream cheese for baking or cooking, you will want to use blocks of cream cheese. The block form of cream cheese has less water than the spreadable type, which is why it is better for baking and cooking. Save the spreadable type for using as a topping on bagels, sandwiches, crackers, and French toast.
How to freeze unopened cream cheese
If you have an unopened block of cream cheese, you can just place it in your freezer in the original packaging it came in. There is no need to transfer it to a different container if it has never been opened.
How to freeze opened cream cheese
If you have already opened your cream cheese, you can still freeze it, but you will want to use something else besides the original packaging. Wrap your cream cheese in a layer of plastic wrap or aluminum foil and then place it in an airtight container or Ziploc bag.
Be sure that your cream cheese is sealed airtight, as you don’t want it to get any freezer burn. Freezer burn can ruin the consistency of your cream cheese.
How To Make Frozen Cream Cheese Creamy Again
When you are ready to use your cream cheese, allow it to thaw overnight in your fridge. Then, if you are using it for a dessert, let it sit out on the counter until it reaches room temperature. Cold cream cheese can curdle when it is mixed with other ingredients, causing an undesirable texture.
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To make your frozen cream cheese creamy again, use a handheld or stand mixer to help revive its texture. Beat the cream cheese on medium speed for around 30 seconds to one minute to achieve a desirable creamy texture. In addition, you can also microwave the cream cheese for 10-20 seconds before mixing to help mix the separated solids and liquids back together.
Whipping the cream cheese with a mixer can help give it a desirable creamy texture and help fix any consistency problems. If your frozen cream cheese is grainy, this can help.
Uses for cream cheese that has been frozen
If your cream cheese was stored properly in the freezer and didn’t undergo any major texture or consistency changes, you can use it for any dish. It can be used for cheesecake, frosting, baked goods, sauces, dips, and as a spread. If you did notice that it underwent consistency and texture changes, it is best to use it only for sauces, doughs, and batters, where it can be fully incorporated in.
How To Tell If Cream Cheese Is No Longer Good
As a dairy product, cream cheese is a perishable item and it can go bad easily. Be sure to keep any foods containing cream cheese frosting or filling in the fridge as they can go bad otherwise.
If you notice any mold or a slimy texture on your cream cheese, throw it out. In addition, if your cream cheese has an off smell, taste, or appearance, you should also throw it out as well.
Freezing Your Cream Cheese
Freezing your cream cheese can be a great way to store it if you won’t be able to use it before the expiration date. In most cases, it will freeze just fine, but sometimes there will be changes in consistency and texture.
If this happens, you can microwave it for 10-20 seconds to mix the separated solid and liquid back together. You can then use a mixer and beat the cream cheese for 30 seconds to one minute on medium speed to give it a creamy texture.
Do you have any questions regarding how to make frozen cream cheese creamy again? If so, please ask your cream cheese storage questions in the comments.
FAQs
Is Cream Cheese Still Good After Being Frozen?
Cream cheese is still good after being frozen and in most cases, you can still use it in all of your favorite recipes. In some cases, it may change consistency and texture when frozen, but it will still be safe to eat.
Why is My Cream Cheese Gritty?
Cream cheese can become gritty when frozen due to its water content. When it freezes, ice crystals form and when it thaws, the ice crystals might not emulsify back into the cream cheese.
Can Frozen Cream Cheese Be Used for Frosting?
If your frozen cream cheese did not undergo any major changes to texture and consistency, you can still use it for frosting. However, if it is grainy or separated, you do not want to use it for your frosting.
Why Does Cream Cheese Get Watery?
Sometimes, cream cheese gets watery due to a process known as syneresis. This is simply excess watering separating from the cream cheese. The cream cheese is still safe to eat and it will not affect the flavor or texture of it.
Ever since she was a young girl, Anna has been a lover of desserts. As an adult, she enjoys
baking a variety of desserts from cakes, cookies, brownies, bread, and more from scratch. She
enjoys sharing her passion for baking with others who also have a sweet tooth. From properly
measuring ingredients to making sure they are the correct temperature, Anna knows the
importance small details can make in baking. She wants to share her experience with others in
hopes they can make the most delicious baked goods. When she’s not busy blogging, Anna
enjoys trying new recipes in the kitchen.
