Can You Freeze Cream Cheese? Most food can be frozen, but some don’t. Just to be sure, i would read this first!

Cream Cheese:

What comes to your mind when you think of the mouthwatering cheesecakes or delicious mac and cheese? Yes, the fresh, soft, sweet, and a rather tangy flavor of cream cheese. Cream Cheese has been popular for its richness and creamy texture since 1880 in the USA. But now it is used worldwide for its uniqueness and versatility. You might feel tempted to freeze cream cheese in order to make your favorite recipe but, can you freeze cream cheese? Will it retain the freshness if you freeze it?

Cream cheese is a fresh kind of cheese consisting of fat and moisture like any other cheese. It is a soft, smooth, and mild cheese with perfectly balanced sweetness. What makes it different from the other cheese is its flavor and texture. There is no substitute for cream cheese; although Mascarpone comes close. But sometimes, Mascarpone appears to be too rich for some specific recipes. It has taken a place in our homes like any other regular ingredient.

Cream Cheese is popular in both sweet and savory dishes. The wide range of desserts-be it Red velvet cupcakes, Lemon bars, or Carrot cakes, all of them gives us a hint of cream cheese. Cream cheese is known for being one of the most popular spreads for a bagel, toast, roll, crackers, etc. Its rich texture makes any bread more delicious. The hint of cream cheese on any source of carbohydrate makes it some much more desirable; it increases our appetite to an extent.

Speaking of cream cheese makes anyone crave for cheesecake? Well, cream cheese is the main ingredient. The thick consistency provides a wonderful taste to this favorite dessert. It goes quite well with crackers, snack chips, and practically anything else you can bring to mind. It is a great choice for any occasion and is simple to put together. Cream cheese is used as filling in many types of pastries including strudels and is baked into a variety of pastry crusts.

Cream cheese is also a great accompaniment to crab melts and other hot cheese mixture.

How is Cream Cheese Made?

Cream cheese is made from cream or milk. There are many recipes for making cream cheese but the procedures are more or less the same. Let’s see how to make this rich creamy cheese!

• Take 1 cup of milk, 1 cup of cream, ¼ cup of yoghurt, and ½ teaspoon salt to a pot and heat it on medium flame.
• Bring it to a boil by stirring it and make sure not to over boil it.
• Add around 2-3 tablespoon of vinegar and at this point slowly turn off the heat. Let it cool in the pot for an hour.
• Sieve the cream with cheesecloth and allow it to drip out at least for 12 hours.
• After that scrape it out with the cheesecloth and voila! 

Freshly made rich and aromatic cream cheese is ready to devour.

Can You Freeze Cream Cheese?

Cream cheese is a delectable ingredient however it does not stay fresh for long. That takes us to the question, can we freeze cream cheese? Well, the answer is yes! You can freeze cream cheese for up to 3-6 months. But you might find changes in texture and consistency as it may turn grainy and crumbly. It happens due to the water content of the cream. 

This is because when you freeze the cream the water content turns to ice. So, this frozen cream cheese won’t be suitable for a taco dip, but it can be used as cream cheese frosting.

Freezing Cream Cheese

Cream cheese can be refrigerated depending on whether it is opened or unopened. For unopened cans of cream cheese, it will be wise to freeze it while it is intact. This is because the packaging can provide enough protection from freezer burn.  Moving onto freezing pre opened cream cheese; you do not need to worry! Here is your solution to the rescue. Simply take the opened cream cheese in an airtight container such that it is not exposed to moisture. Don’t forget to label it with the date. This way you can extend the lifespan by 4-6 months.

Cream Cheese is versatile, so it is perfect for freezing. So don’t forget to buy some extra cartons of cream cheese the next time you see a good deal!

Thawing Cream Cheese

Thawing cream cheese is quite easy! Take the frozen cream cheese out of the freezer and refrigerate it for 10-12 hours. It will be thawed within 24 hours. Microwave the thawed cream cheese for 10-12 seconds and stir it well for better consistency. If you don’t want to microwave it, leave it on your counter top overnight. 

How to Use Thawed Cream Cheese?

While it does not appeal to the changed texture of previously frozen cream cheese on a bagel, it is also perfectly fine to use in several baked dishes. The best way to use refrigerated cream cheese is to use it in baked dishes like cakes and cookies as cream cheese frosting. Although it doesn’t go well with cheesecake there is plenty of other dishes cream of mushroom, potato casserole, potato chowder, mac and cheese, and much more!

Can you Refreeze Cream Cheese?

You can certainly freeze the defrosted cream cheese. But make sure you whip it very well for a creamier consistency.

Bottom Line

Cream cheese is used in a variety of dishes and desserts. It makes any dish creamy and enhances its taste. It is high in fat and low in carbs and protein. That’s why it is the favorite list of those who follow a diet plan excluding carbohydrate. Moreover, it is a good source of vitamin A and antioxidants.

You can freeze it in an airtight container and it will stay fresh for a long time and it doesn’t bring the slightest change to the nutritional value. So don’t forget to stock up an extra carton to win the cream cheese deals!