Cheesecake, being as delicious as it is, will make you want to keep it around you for as long as possible. Whether you buy it from the store or whip it up at home, having some leftovers around can often be enough to make your day.
Realistically, however, you might not actually be able to retain the quality of your cheesecake for too long. You can attribute the reason behind this to the ingredients that make up a cheesecake, namely, cream cheese, eggs, sour cream and additional flavoring options, among others.
Since most of these ingredients are perishable, they can make your cheesecake quite vulnerable to several kinds of bacteria and mold like Salmonella and Listeria, the latter of which is most commonly found in soft cheeses like cream cheese.
To understand how long cheesecake can last in the fridge, how to store it effectively and how you can figure out if it has gone bad, you can read through the following sections and follow storage conditions accordingly.
Best Way to Store and Maintain Cheesecake
Because cheesecake has such perishable ingredients, you will need to store it in the fridge to help maintain its quality. As soon you make it or bring it home, you should make it a point to put it inside your fridge without letting it sit out for too long.
If you keep the cheesecake at room temperature (40°F) for anything beyond two hours, harmful bacteria will make their way to it, resulting in poor health if you happen to consume it.
Bacteria tend to grow and multiply quickly at temperatures between 40°F and 140°F, so if the room temperature goes beyond 40°F, your cheesecake will get ruined well before two hours.
There are several conditions that you must follow when it comes to keeping the cheesecake inside the refrigerator, some of which you can go through below.
- It is crucial for you to minimize the possibility of too much moisture making its way to it, as this might lead to mold and bacteria growth. It is equally important to keep the existing moisture in so that the cheesecake does not become too dry.
Make sure you cover it up with plastic wrap or foil or simply place it in an airtight container. You can also cover up the cut-up slices with wrap first before placing them in the container. Airtight containers can help you keep the odors from the fridge at bay.
- If there are any toppings or decorations on the cheesecake, make sure you remove them before refrigerating the cake since they usually do not hold up too well in the fridge.
Can I Store Cheesecake in the Freezer?
You must adhere to a few instructions in order to freeze the cream cheese safely. For instance, you may just place the entire box in the freezer if you haven’t opened it yet.
However, if you have already opened it, be sure to replace the lid snugly and seal it shut. If you are unable to do this, remove the cream cheese and store it in an airtight container, or wrap it in freezer-safe foil, plastic wrap, or a sturdy freezer bag.
It’s important to note that cream cheese may be frozen and will keep its flavor and quality for up to two months, but it may lose its smooth texture and become crumbly and gritty. However, you won’t be able to use it as a spread. You may still use it to bake or prepare various foods.
Lifespan
How long can cheesecake last in the fridge? Let’s find out.
Store-Bought
If you have bought cheesecake from the store, you can expect it to last for up to a week in the fridge. Make sure you check the expiry date on the box or container to confirm this. Further, although the cake might last for up to a week, it might be best for you to eat it within 2-3 days.
Homemade
Homemade cheesecake might not last as long as store-bought varieties since the latter are bound to contain a few preservatives. Thus, if you have freshly baked cheesecake at home, refrigerate it immediately and do not keep it in there for more than five days, although you might be able to push it to a week in some cases.
Of course, if you freeze either variety, you can expect it to last for two months.
Signs That the Cheesecake Has Gone Bad
If you want to figure out if a cheesecake has gone bad, look out for the following signs.
- A bad smell can indicate that it has gone bad.
- If it has dark spots on it, parts of it might have gone bad.
- If there is mold, it has gone bad and you should throw it out.
- As a last resort, taste it and throw it out if it tastes strange.