Cheesecake is a creamy dessert that is very popular. You can make cheesecakes with different flavor varieties depending on when you plan on eating the cheesecake, such as making a pumpkin variety around Thanksgiving. Since we make cheesecakes so often, it is important to know exactly how long it will last when kept in the refrigerator.
Cheesecake does not have a long shelf life; however, cheesecake can have a different shelf life when kept in the refrigerator depending on how the cake was produced. If the cheesecake is homemade, it can last for approximately four days before it may begin to spoil. If the cheesecake is bought from the store, it can last for approximately seven days before it may begin to spoil.
Continue reading to learn more about how long cheesecake can stay good when kept in the refrigerator. Also, continue reading to learn how to properly store your cheesecake as well as how you can tell when your cheesecake has spoiled.
The refrigerator is the most common place in which we store cheesecake that we are not currently eating but plan on eating in the near future. It is also one of the best places to keep your cheesecake in order to ensure that the cheesecake does not spoil quickly.
The shelf life of cheesecake can depend on the method in which the cheesecake was produced. A cheesecake that was made at home has a different shelf life when compared to a cheesecake that was bought from the store.
Homemade
A homemade cheesecake can last for approximately four days when kept in the refrigerator. After these four days, the cheesecake will begin to spoil. Due to the shorter shelf life, it is recommended that you buy a cheesecake for the store if you need it to last longer than four days.
If you plan on eating the cheesecake within the four day period, a homemade cheesecake can be the perfect dessert for you. If you want your homemade cheesecake to last longer, you can store the cake in the freezer for a period of approximately a month.
Store-Bought
It is recommended that you buy a cheesecake from the store, since it has a longer shelf life when compared to a cheesecake that is made at home. This is because store-bought cheesecake can contain a few preservatives that ensure they will last long enough on the shelves of the store.
When kept in the refrigerator, store-bought cheesecake can last for approximately seven days. If you want your cheesecake to last for longer, you can store it in the freezer. When kept in the freezer, your store-bought cheesecake can last for approximately three months.
How to Store Cheesecake Properly in the Fridge?
It is important to note that cheesecake cannot be stored at room temperature. If you happen to leave your cheesecake out at room temperature for an extended period of time, it is best to just throw the cheesecake away as it has most likely spoiled and should not be eaten.
The best place to store your cheesecake is in the refrigerator. Despite the short shelf life that cheesecake has, it is kept fresh when stored in the refrigerator. However, there are some steps that you should take into account when storing your cheesecake in the refrigerator in order to ensure that it does last for the approximated shelf life.
Steps
You need to follow these steps in order to ensure that you properly stored your cheesecake in the refrigerator. These steps work for both cheesecake that is made at home as well as cheesecake that is purchased from the store.
- First, you want to allow for your cheesecake to cool completely. You do not want to put cheesecake in the refrigerator that has just come out of the oven as this does not allow for the cheesecake to cool properly.
- You want to tightly wrap your cheesecake in plastic wrap. This ensures that no other foods come into contact with the cheesecake.
- You want to place the wrapped cheesecake in an airtight container.
- You want to put the cheesecake near the back of your refrigerator as it is in this area that the temperature stays the most consistent.
Tips
Here are some tips that can help you to ensure that your cheesecake does stay good.
- You want to store your cheesecake in the refrigerator. While it does not have a long shelf life, storing your cheesecake in the refrigerator ensures that it stays fresh, since cheesecakes are often made with ingredients like sour cream or whipped cream.
- You want to keep the cheesecake at a constant temperature. Temperature fluctuations can cause the texture of the cheesecake to be affected.
- Do not freeze your cheesecake if you plan on eating it in the near future.
Can You Freeze Your Cheesecake Instead?
You can freeze your cheesecake. This is a great option for storing your cheesecake if you do not plan on eating it in the near future. When kept in the freezer, a homemade cheesecake can last for around one month, while a cheesecake that was bought from the store can last for approximately three months.
Freezing can extend the shelf life of your cheesecake more than if you kept the cheesecake in the refrigerator. It is important to note that it is not wise to freeze all cheesecakes. You can look at the packaging of the cheesecake you bought from the store in order to determine if it is safe to keep the cheesecake in the freezer.
What Are the Signs of Cheesecake Spoiling?
If your cheesecake has been stored longer than its shelf life recommends, you may notice that the cheesecake could be spoiling. When cheesecake spoils, it is not safe to eat since cheesecake is primarily made using dairy products that can make you sick if they spoil.
There are some signs that you can look for that will indicate whether your cheesecake has spoiled or if the cheesecake is still good to eat.
Foul Smell
While you can often tell that a cheesecake has gone bad due to a change in the cheesecake’s appearance, you can also use your sense of smell to tell if the cheesecake has begun to spoil. Typically, cheesecake gives off an odor that is sweet. Spoiled cheesecake, however, can give off a foul odor.
This odor is similar to the odor that dairy products give off once they have spoiled. This is often a sign of bacterial activity. Another sign of this bacterial activity can be ooze coming from the cheesecake. If you notice a bad odor coming from your cheesecake, it is best to throw the cheesecake away.
Mold
If you look at your cheesecake and notice that it has mold on it, your cheesecake has spoiled. Mold is one of the most common signs of food spoilage. Mold typically grows on cheesecake when it has been left out at room temperature for an extended period of time that allows for mold spores to grow.
Mold can also grow on your cheesecake if you have left it uncovered in the refrigerator. If left uncovered, your cheesecake will be exposed to moisture which allows for the mold spores to grow. It is best to throw the cheesecake away if you notice signs of mold growing on the cake.
Discoloration
Discoloration can occur when cheesecake has spoiled. When cheesecake spoils, it will have a coloration that is an unpleasant yellow and can have gray spots. This discoloration is the result of bacterial activity, so it is best to throw the cheesecake away if you notice any discoloration rather than just cutting off the bits that have the discoloration.
Is It Safe to Eat Spoiled Cheesecake?
It is not safe to eat spoiled cheesecake. Spoiled cheesecake can cause foodborne illnesses. This is due to the dangerous amounts of harmful bacteria that can be present in spoiled cheesecake. In some very severe cases, eating spoiled cheesecake can cause life-threatening damage to your kidneys as a result of bacterial toxins.
It is best to throw the cheesecake away when you notice signs of spoilage. These signs are meant to warn you about bacterial activity within the cheesecake, so you should avoid eating the cake in order to avoid contracting any illnesses.
Final Thoughts
Cheesecake is a great dessert. You can cater your cheesecake to the season in which you are making the cake or for holiday celebrations. An example of this is making a pumpkin variety of cheesecake when it gets more into the autumn season or for Thanksgiving celebrations.
Your cheesecake does not have a long shelf life. A homemade cheesecake can last for approximately four days when kept in the refrigerator, while a cheesecake that was bought from the store can last for around seven days when kept in the refrigerator. You can choose to keep your cheesecake in the freezer in order to extend this shelf life, but you do not want to do this if you plan on eating the cheesecake in the very near future.
It is also important to look for signs of spoilage. If you notice that your cheesecake has spoiled, it is best to throw the cheesecake away as eating it can make you ill.
