Cheesecake is a super popular dessert that originated thousands of years ago from ancient Greeks. Since then, their early cheesecakes have evolved into a dish that has hundreds of variations and is enjoyed by many. However, cheesecake doesn’t last very long and can spoil within a few days. This leaves many wondering if refreezing their cheesecake is an option.
Refreezing cheesecake can be a great way to prevent spoiling if you aren’t planning on eating your cheesecake right away. However, it is important to prepare it properly to avoid freezer burn and drying out.
Keep reading to learn about whether or not it’s safe to refreeze cheesecake as well as the best method for doing so.
As long as the cheesecake has been stored properly when thawed, it is safe to refreeze a cheesecake. As a matter of fact, refreezing a cheesecake can be one of the best ways to store it. When you freeze food, you are preventing bacterial growth which is what causes food spoilage.
The main issue that you will have when refreezing cheesecake occurs when the cheesecake was not thawed properly. When you thaw a cheesecake, it is important to do so in the refrigerator. This prevents bacterial growth and texture changes when the cheesecake is thawing.
If you refreeze a cheesecake that was thawed and stored improperly, the texture may have already been altered or bacterial growth may have occurred. Neither of these will be corrected upon freezing the cheesecake.
If you are going to refreeze a cheesecake you’ll want to make sure that it does not remain at more than 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours. This temperature will cause bacterial growth which makes the cheesecake dangerous to consume, even if it has been refrozen.
If you decide to refreeze your cheesecake, there are a couple of steps that you should follow. Following these steps will help your cheesecake to retain its texture and flavor. It will also help to prevent the cheesecake from drying out.
1. Cool and Chill Cheesecake
This step is especially important if you are freezing a baked cheesecake. You will want to make sure that your cheesecake has cooled down fully after baking before placing it in the refrigerator. If you place the cheesecake in the refrigerator too soon you will have issues with the cake cracking and possibly developing an odd texture.
Once the cheesecake has cooled down to room temperature you can move it to the refrigerator. There you will want to wait until the cheesecake has reached the temperature of your refrigerator. This temperature should be between 35 and 38 degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Portion (Optional Step)
Once the cheesecake has been chilled in your refrigerator, it is time to begin the freezing process. The first step in the process is portioning out the cheesecake. This is not strictly necessary but can make the cheesecake much easier to serve. Frozen cheesecake can be very difficult to cut.
You can either cut the cheesecake into quarters or into individual slices depending on how much you plan to pull out at a time.
3. Wrap The Cheesecake
After you have finished portioning your cheesecake, it is time to package it for the freezer. The best way to package your cheesecake for the freezer is to wrap it in plastic wrap. This will help to prevent air from touching the food and keep your cheesecake from drying out.
One of the biggest issues that you’ll run into when freezing your cheesecake is freezer burn. This occurs when the outer layers of the food are exposed to dry air which pulls the moisture out. This causes changes in the texture and appearance of the food which makes it unappetizing to many. However, it does not make the food unsafe.
The second issue that you’ll have is your cheesecake drying out. This can make your cheesecake chewy and unpleasant to eat. Using plastic wrap can help to keep your cheesecake from drying and will prevent freezer burn.
Make sure to fully wrap your cheesecake so it creates a seal protecting the cheesecake from the rest of the freezer. You can also wrap your cheesecake in a layer of tin foil for added protection from freezer burn and other items that may be in your freezer.
How to Freeze Baked Cheesecake
If you are interested in freezing your baked cheesecake you’re in luck. Baked cheesecakes maintain their texture very well in the freezer and you usually won’t have any issues with them falling apart. They also thaw well and won’t become watery making them a great treat to pull out of the freezer and thaw whenever you have a sweet tooth.
To freeze baked cheesecake you will follow almost an identical process to the one listed above. The biggest thing that you’ll want to keep in mind is the cooling process. Baked cheesecakes are the most prone to cracking while they are being cooled. This makes it especially important to cool the cheesecake gradually.
You’ll first want to cool the cheesecake down to room temperature. Ideally, you’ll want to do this on a rack to allow the cheesecake to cool evenly. After that, you’ll move it to the fridge where you will let it chill for several hours. Only then will you move the cheesecake to the freezer.
To freeze mascarpone cheesecake, you will follow the same process detailed above. However, you will need to keep in mind that mascarpone cheesecake rarely freezes well, even when all steps are followed. This cheesecake is prone to separating which can change the texture of the cheesecake.
If you freeze this cheesecake you will notice that when it thaws it tends to become liquidy. The only way to correct this is remixing the filling which can be difficult when it is already built into the cheesecake.
4 Tips for Freezing Cheesecake
Here are 4 tips that will help make your cheesecake freezing experience successful:
Thaw slowly and correctly
Wrap your cheesecake before freezing
Portion cheesecake before freezing
Avoid freezing mascarpone cheesecake
By following these tips you will increase your chances of having a cheesecake that does not fall apart when thawed.
Freezing your cheesecake is a great way to preserve it without significantly changing the texture. It allows you to stop bacterial growth and keep your cheesecake fresh for months longer than you can in the fridge.
Before freezing your cheesecake it is important to gradually cool it down and then wrap it in plastic wrap. This will prevent the cheesecake from developing a strange texture and keep it from drying out in the freezer.
