Can cheesecake be frozen? - How to do it right

Cheesecake is a popular and versatile dessert. There are many varieties and textures, and it can be covered in endless ways. You can serve it as a whole cake or in miniature form. It is very popular at parties, social events and special occasions.

But the question remains: what is the best way to save leftovers for later?

As with any food, fresher is usually better, and cheesecake is no exception. It can be frozen for quite some time and still maintain its characteristic quality. This makes it ideal for eating as leftovers, or preparing ahead of time for a special occasion.

Read on for the ultimate guide to keeping your cheesecake frozen and ready for your next treat.

The Ultimate Guide to Freezing Cheesecake

Cheesecake is a dense, rich dessert made primarily with a mixture of soft cheese (such as cream cheese or ricotta), eggs, and sugar, among other ingredients. It may or may not be baked, and sometimes has a bottom crust layer of biscuits, graham crackers, or some other pastry.

There are several types of cheesecakes, which are unique based on their texture, flavor, or ingredient base. There are many flavored cheesecakes that add or enhance flavors and textures, such as chocolates and fruits.

You can also top the cheesecake with many toppings, such as nuts, fruit, sauces, and whipped cream. This versatility makes it a favorite of many.

As for the cheesecake frosting, the New York style is a very popular version, and it’s made with more sour or heavy cream, making it denser and richer than other versions. The sour cream also prevents the cheesecake from freezing too soon, making it ideal for frozen items.

Why you should freeze cheesecake

Cheesecake is a very popular dessert in bakeries and restaurants because it can be easily stored and sliced when needed.

It is also a very popular commercial product, as many manufacturers can easily mass-produce it and prepare it to stay fresh even when frozen.

The main advantage of freezing cheesecake is that it can be saved for later. 

This can be useful if you want to save the dessert as leftovers to eat later, saving a sweet treat for yourself. Or, if you’ve made it yourself for a large gathering, you can prepare it ahead of time and take it out when you need it.

But refrigerating or freezing cheesecake has other benefits that make it even better than making it fresh. 

If you prefer a dense, rich cheesecake, keeping it frozen can make it even denser (like buttermilk cake). In addition, the ingredients do not run the risk of separating as in other desserts, so it is ideal to freeze and reuse when needed.

The downside is that a lighter, fluffier cheesecake may turn out to be too dense when frozen . It all depends on the composition of the cheesecake and what is in it; If you make your own cheesecake at home, keep this in mind when deciding how long to keep it.

You should also try to remove dressings before freezing, as they may not hold up to freezing and will not taste good when thawed.

How to freeze cheesecake

It is best to seal the cheesecake in an airtight container or wrap it tightly to prevent outside air from getting in or freezer burn.

One important note : This process applies to cheesecake purchased from a bakery or restaurant, and does not necessarily apply to a store-bought frozen cheesecake.

You should always place it directly in the freezer when you get home and follow the thawing and/or cooking instructions on the package for best results.

One other note: some fridges have a freezer compartment (especially smaller fridges), but if you’re going to freeze a cheesecake you should always use a real freezer. The refrigerator compartments do not get cold enough for proper freezing.

This is the best way to freeze cheesecake to eat later:

• Remove any additional toppings (whipped cream, sauces, fruit, etc.) from the top of the cheesecake.
• Make sure the cheesecake is well refrigerated before freezing it. This may seem like a no-brainer, but if your cheesecake has been left out for a while, you increase the risk of transmitting food bacteria or spoiling the cheesecake. Simply place the cheesecake in the fridge for at least 6 hours before freezing.
• You can freeze a whole cheesecake together, or cut it into individual servings.
• If you are freezing a whole cheesecake, simply wrap it in plastic or aluminum foil and place it in an airtight container (heavy-duty freezer bag or Tupperware).
• If you are freezing individual pieces, wrap them individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and place them in an airtight container (heavy-duty freezer bag or Tupperware).

How to freeze mini cheesecakes

Mini Cheesecakes are a fun way to treat your guests to a delicious dessert in a perfect size for a single serving. This makes them a favorite at catered events, as they can be cooked, packaged, and served en masse instead of having guests slice and dice their own portions. You can also ensure an evenly cooked dessert for all guests, or allow them to top it as they like.

Freezing a mini cheesecake follows the same process as individual servings:

• Remove any leftover dressings before freezing, and make sure it is well refrigerated.
• Wrap each piece in plastic wrap and store in a freezer-safe bag or container.

Resume

Cheesecake is a delicious, decadent, and versatile dessert that can be enjoyed anytime, prepared in many different ways, and saved for later, too.

Wrap it tightly in two layers of plastic wrap, then aluminum foil, and store for up to 4-6 weeks. This is how flavor and moisture are maintained. However, the longer it sits in the freezer, the more chance it has of going bad or getting freezer burn.  Thaw it by putting it back in the fridge overnight.

Mini cheesecakes can be stored in the freezer in the same way as individual slices , or you can choose to freeze them similar to how you would freeze whoopie pies.

Properly wrapping your cheesecake can take some extra effort, but it’s well worth the wait.

Related questions

How long does frozen cheesecake keep?

Despite what some claim, frozen food does not last forever in the freezer; Freezer burn and product expiration cause all foods to go bad over time. That being said, freezing your cheesecake can keep it edible for a considerable amount of time.

As we’ve already said, some store-bought cheesecakes are meant to be frozen.  If you buy one of them, check the expiration date on the packaging to find out how long it can be kept in the freezer.

The cheesecake can be kept in the freezer for 4 to 6 weeks.  However, most people who make or buy single-serve cheesecakes will probably eat them within a few days, so this is usually not a problem.

How can I defrost my cheesecake?

The best and easiest way to defrost cheesecake is to take it out of the freezer and place it in the fridge overnight. This will allow it to thaw naturally, as opposed to thawing in the microwave which can ruin the consistency of the cheesecake.

However, it’s important to remember to keep the cheesecake in its container or well wrapped while it thaws.

Once defrosted, you must eat it within 2 days to prevent it from spoiling. You can also add the dressings you want. This will ensure that the dressings stay fresh as well.

If you want to know more details about how to defrost cheesecake, you might find it useful to read our article on defrosting and defrosting cheesecake .

And if I don’t want to freeze my cheesecake, can I just keep it in the fridge?

Keeping food in the freezer has its risks. Some of them are freezer burn, not being able to defrost it quickly, or just forgetting it in the bottom of the freezer.

So another option is to refrigerate your cheesecake.  This may be the right option if you plan to eat it in a few days.

Cheesecake should stay cold regardless of how it is stored . It tastes better, and the ingredients need to be kept cold so they don’t spoil before you eat them. So, at the very least, the cheesecake should be kept in the fridge when not being served.

The drawback of storing in the fridge is that it doesn’t last as long as it does in the freezer. Food stored in the refrigerator does not keep for more than 4 days, which is a much shorter period.

Also, for those who don’t want to wrap their cheesecake, but just store it in the take-out container from the restaurant or bakery, this can allow freezer burn to spoil your food.

To avoid this, keep it tightly closed in an airtight container or wrapped with plastic wrap and aluminum foil . This will help your cheesecake maintain its consistency, flavor, and texture.

Freezing is a much better option for flavor, texture, and longevity retention than refrigeration alone, and it can keep longer this way.