How long does cheesecake last in the fridge? Who doesn’t appreciate a good cheesecake? It’s decadent, sweet, and unexpectedly filling. If you bought a large portion of dessert or baked a whole cake, how should you store the leftovers? More importantly, will the cheesecake go bad? How long does cheesecake last?
Or maybe you’re planning a small get-together for a few friends in the middle of the week. And, while they love your cheesecake, you don’t have time to make it the day of the party. So you’re thinking about making it ahead of time but aren’t sure if freezing it will work.
In any case, keep reading to learn more about cheesecake storage, shelf life, freezing, and spoilage.
How to Store Cheesecake
You’re probably aware that cream cheese (or cottage cheese or ricotta) should be kept refrigerated because it’s the main ingredient in cheesecake.
To avoid absorbing odors from the fridge and drying out, you should obviously keep it covered. Cover it with a cake carrier, or cut the leftovers into smaller pieces and store them in airtight containers. Wrap the cake in aluminum foil or plastic wrap if desired.
If you’re serving the cheesecake with a topping that doesn’t keep well in the fridge, chill the cake without the topping and finish it right before serving.
Is it possible to store cheesecake in the freezer?
The cheesecake in the fridge, as you might expect, only lasts a few days. Freeze it if you want to keep it for a longer period of time. And cheesecake is one of the cakes that freezes well, and many bakeries advise customers to store any leftovers in the freezer.
The way your cheesecake freezes is obviously determined by the ingredients and recipe you or your bakery use. In other words, when it comes to freezing, not all cheesecakes are created equal. However, dense cheesecakes with no delicate toppings usually freeze very well.
To get the best results, freeze the cake without the topping and then add it right before serving the goodie.
The method for freezing the cake is extremely straightforward.
To prevent the cake from drying out or getting freezer burn, wrap it in something freezer-safe. You can use an airtight container, a freezer bag, or a double layer of aluminum foil. When wrapping, just be careful not to squash the pieces.
Thaw the cake in the refrigerator the night before serving. At the very least, a few hours ahead of time.
Last but not least, after the cheesecake has thawed in the fridge, you can refreeze it.
Cheesecake is also a great way to use up leftover frozen cottage cheese or ricotta from the freezer. Yes, you can freeze ricotta (which freezes well) and cottage cheese (which freezes okay).
How Long Does Cheesecake Last in the Fridge?
How long can cheesecake last in the fridge? As you may know, cheesecake is made with dairy products, specifically cream cheese. The majority of recipes also call for eggs. Because these ingredients are so delicate, the cake does not last very long.
So, how long is cheesecake good for? Unless the packaging specifies otherwise, store-bought cheesecake has a shelf life of 5 to 7 days in the refrigerator.
You should not keep homemade cheesecake in the refrigerator for more than 5 days. If the recipe calls for it, or if there are perishable ingredients, make it shorter.
Freeze the cheesecake if you need to keep it for a longer period of time. The cake will keep in the freezer for several months.
It’s best to test freeze a small portion of the cheesecake ahead of time if you plan to freeze it for your guests’ enjoyment. This way, you’ll know what to expect once the cake has thawed and whether it’s suitable for serving to your friends.
Fridge Freezer Homemade cheesecake (homemade) 1+ month 3 – 5 days Store-bought cheesecake (store-bought) 5 – 7 days 3 months or longer.
According to Foodsafety.gov if a power outage leaves your refrigerator incapacitated, cheesecake that has been stored above 40 degrees F for more than 2 hours is better to be tossed away immediately.
Please keep in mind that the above times are only estimates. The store-bought variety usually lasts a little longer because preservatives are added, whereas the homemade variety is usually preservative-free.
How to Determine Whether Your Cheesecake Is Bad
Unfortunately, there is no way to tell whether or not a cheesecake is bad.
If there is mold, discoloration, or an unpleasant odor, it should obviously be discarded. Those signs, however, are usually visible after the cake has been stored for at least two weeks, if not longer.
To avoid this, simply discard homemade cheesecake after 5 to 7 days and store-bought cheesecake after 7 to 9 days. Even if it appears to be in pristine condition. The USDA recommends a maximum of 2 hours at room temperature, after which your cheesecake will most likely go bad and be unsafe to eat.