Cheesecake is an ultimate decadent dessert loved by many. You can make a thousand variations of this delightful cake. Top with your favorite seasonal fruits and berries or go with the classic one.
Making one can be too many, especially if you live alone. At this point, you might be wondering if you can freeze cheesecake to enjoy one slice at a time.
Perhaps, you’ll be hosting a party in the next two weeks. You doubt if you have enough time to prepare this dessert before the party. Is it possible to make a cheesecake ahead of time to serve later?
Yes, cheesecake freezes gracefully. Whether you have leftovers or make in advance for an upcoming party, you can always freeze cheesecake!
Read on to learn everything you need to know about freezing cheesecake. We also address some related questions around this topic.
The Best Way To Freeze Cheesecake
There are infinite recipes and variations on cheesecake out there. You can play with the creamy ingredients, crusts, toppings, and the way you make it—bake or no-bake.
If you make a no-bake cheesecake, avoid using raw eggs to prevent bacterial contamination.
One important thing to note, cheesecake without toppings freezes better. Add the toppings when it’s ready to serve. If you buy cheesecake with toppings, you should remove the toppings before freezing.
You can freeze home-baked and store-bought cheesecake, baked or no-bake. So, if you have any leftovers from Costco, Cheesecake Factory, or your favorite bakeries, go ahead and freeze them.
We also find frozen cheesecake from the store. In this case, stick with the storage instruction. Keep it frozen and thaw it according to the instructions.
You can also freeze a whole or pre-sliced cheesecake. Freezing a whole cheesecake is ideal if you want to present this beautiful dessert for a special occasion or as a gift.
Meanwhile, freezing sliced cheesecake is handy when it comes to the serving. Just pull individual slices right away from the freezer. Rest assured, you’ll have it ready whenever the craving strikes.
Follow our step-to-step guide on freezing a whole cheesecake and sliced ones.
How To Freeze Whole Cheesecake
1. Allow cheesecake to cool and set. Let the cake set and reach the desired consistency. Some recipes require cooling in the counter and chilled in the refrigerator for at least 4 to 8 hours or overnight.
2. Remove cheesecake from the springform pan by running a knife around the edges.
3. Transfer the cheesecake to an aluminum foil-wrapped cardboard. Use cardboard that perfectly fits the size of the cheesecake.
4. Wrap the cheesecake and cardboard in 2 to 3 layers of plastic wrap, followed by wrapping in aluminum foil. Proper wrapping is vital to protect the cake against freezer burn.
5. For extra protection, place the wrapped cake in a freezer-safe container (optional).
6. Label with the freezing date or use-by date.
7. Place it carefully in the freezer. Make sure it’s not smashed by other heavy foods.
8. Maintain the freezer’s temperature at 0 °F (−18 °C) or lower.
How To Freeze Sliced Cheesecake
Here is our guide to freezing pre-sliced and leftover cheesecake. This guide is also applicable to freeze mini cheesecake by skipping the cutting step.
1. Allow the cheesecake to cool and set (follow the recipe).
2. Slice up the cheesecake into individual slices. To make the cutting easier, dip a sharp knife in hot water before cutting the cake.
3. Place the sliced cheesecake in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
4. Transfer the cake into the freezer for a few hours until each slice is frozen solid. Once the slices are frozen, remove them out of the freezer.
5. Wrap each slice in plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
6. Pack the wrapped slices in a freezer bag or freezer-safe container and seal tightly.
7. Label the package with the freezing date or a use-by date.
8. Transfer the package into the freezer.
9. Maintain the freezer’s temperature at 0 °F (−18 °C) or lower.
How Do You Defrost Frozen Cheesecake?
You can defrost frozen cheesecake safely in the refrigerator. Thawing a whole cheesecake takes time. Make sure to defrost in advance or overnight. It will be ready to serve the next day and best to enjoy within 2 days. Add your favorite toppings after thawing.
For quicker thawing, you can thaw sliced cakes in the microwave. Use defrost mode with 30 seconds increments. Don’t forget to remove the plastic wrap and aluminum foil before defrosting.
How Long Can You Freeze Cheesecake?
Frozen cheesecake preserves its optimal flavor for up to 1 month. It is also possible to keep it longer, possibly for 2 to 3 months. However, the texture and taste won’t be as great. Make sure to check for its freshness before serving the cake.
You can either refrigerate or freeze a cheesecake, depending on how long you want to keep it. When kept in the fridge, homemade cheesecake only stays fresh for 3 to 5 days, while store-bought one lasts for 5 to 7 days. Meanwhile, freezing extends its shelf life for 1 to 3 months.
Can cheesecake be frozen twice?
If cheesecake is thawed in the refrigerator and doesn’t stand at room temperature longer than 2 hours, it is safe to refreeze. However, if it’s been left too long outside the fridge, it should not go back to the freezer.
Can you set a no-bake cheesecake in the freezer?
It is not recommended to leave a no-bake cheesecake in the freezer to set, or it will turn too hard to slice. It needs proper cooling in the refrigerator to achieve the right consistency. It takes longer but totally worth the wait.
Does frozen cheesecake go bad?
According to the USDA, frozen foods keep safe indefinitely—assumed that they are prepared and frozen accordingly. However, the texture and flavor may decrease over time, particularly when freezing burn takes its toll.
Can you freeze cheesecake with graham cracker crust?
Absolutely yes, follow our guides above on freezing a whole or sliced cheesecake.
Summary
Cheesecake is one of those ultimate desserts that you want to keep in your fridge. Unfortunately, cheesecake only stays for a few days in the refrigerator. This sweet delicacy is too good to go to waste.
Freezing is your ultimate option to lengthen its shelf life for 1 to 3 months. You can freeze cheesecake in various situations, whether you have leftovers or bake in advance, homemade or store-bought, bake, or no-bake, as a whole or sliced cake.
Keep in mind that cheesecake without toppings freezes much better. Add the topping later when you’re ready to serve.
Rosa graduated with a master degree in Food Safety from Wageningen University and Research, The Netherlands. Recently, she started a consulting agency to facilitate the improvement of food safety, quality, and sustainability.
