If not, strain as much of it as you can. When in doubt, go with the latter. No matter which option you go with, pay attention to texture where it matters. In the mentioned pancake batter example, the fix might be as simple as adding an extra teaspoon of flour to even things out. Skip to content You have some leftover Philadelphia cream cheese and no plans of using it anytime soon.
If so, this article is for you. Read on. Philadelphia cream cheese before freezing. Defrosted cream cheese: notice liquid near the sides. Defrosted and stirred cream cheese: a far cry from a fresh one. Frozen Philadelphia spread closeup. Frozen cream cheese. Here's a good rule of thumb: If the texture of the cream cheese will stand out, use refrigerated cream cheese instead.
But if the dish is one that won't be affected by the texture of the cream cheese, go ahead and pull that block of cream cheese out of the freezer. While cheesecake has to be everyone's favorite use of cream cheese, it's probably not the best choice for previously frozen cream cheese as your end result will have a grainy texture.
But there are plenty of dishes that will do well with previously frozen cream cheese, like cream cheese pound cake , potato casserole , or a baked dip. Can You Freeze Cream Cheese? By Melanie Fincher Updated March 11, Pin FB Share. Block of cream cheese on blue plate. Can You Freeze Sour Cream? Wrap the container with a cling wrap for added protection if you choose to use a sealable container instead.
While the original package is enough, some people still prefer to toss blocks of unopened cream cheese in a plastic wrap or freezer bag for adequate protection. Cream cheese can be stored opened, and unopened, in the freezer for up to 2 months.
However, the spreadable cream cheese, sold in plastic tubs, is not recommended for freezing. Do note that the spreadable cream cheese in plastic tubs can last up to two weeks in the refrigerator once opened, and up to a month if unopened. It is also important to remember that any cream cheese left at room temperature for more than two hours should be disposed of immediately.
This is because room temperature can present optimal conditions for the natural bacteria in the cheese to grow at dangerous levels , potentially increasing the risk of food poisoning!
As mentioned earlier, frozen cream cheese loses its smooth, creamy, and dense texture to become grainy and crumbly. As a result, frozen cream cheese becomes unsuitable for use as a spread. However, there are several methods you can use to make grainy and crumbly frozen cream cheese smooth and creamy again.
Whisking is a simple method to make your frozen cream cheese creamy again. First, thaw your frozen cream cheese. Then, use a whisk to mix the thawed cream cheese together. Whisking will improve the consistency of the thawed cream cheese.
The other method of getting your frozen cream cheese close to its smooth texture and creamy consistency is the microwave. Although the microwave method requires you to put some extra effort to get your frozen cream cheese back to its creamy consistency, it is an effective method that will make your frozen cream cheese less crumbly and grainy.
Start by thawing the frozen cream cheese. You can do this by removing it from the freezer and transferring it to the refrigerator for twenty-four hours. Turn on the microwave and microwave the cream cheese for about 10 seconds. Please note, it is important to take the cream cheese out of its original foil packaging before microwaving, or you may start a fire as foil is not microwave safe. There should be an improvement in consistency. Repeat the process until you arrive at a consistency you prefer.
The stove method is an alternative way of improving frozen cream cheese consistency for people who do not like using the microwave for food items. This method also gives you better heat and process control. Thawing out your cream cheese is easy, if you remember to do the slow defrost. Cream cheese and other cheeses retain their texture better when thawing out is not a forced affair.
The cheese professionals advise leaving the wrapped cream cheese in its current frozen state and placing it in the refrigerator to thaw overnight. The original way your wrapped it will help the cream cheese retain its moisture. A hour defrost should do the trick, and it will be ready by then. Many wonder whether products containing cream cheese follow the same principles. Yes, you can freeze delicious cream cheese frosting, if you also do a little math ahead of time.
The best way to approach this is having a freezer bag ready or a freezer-safe container covered in plastic. You want to avoid freezer burn.
Make sure you have enough frosting for your next project when you go to thaw it. Measure the frosting to ensure it can adequately frost your dessert before freezing it. Then, scoop the cream cheese frosting into a freezer bag, and press it flat before sealing. Yes you can freeze whipped cream cheese, as whipped cream texture freezes well and also thaws beautifully, holding its perky shape in the process.
There are two ways to accomplish the freezing action. You can keep whipped cream cheese in its tub and cover with plastic to seal the deal and place in the freezer.
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