Does Cheesecake Go Bad?

Question: Does cheesecake go bad? Read our guide to find out.

Everybody loves cheesecake, it’s decadent, sweet and very filling. If you have a large portion of leftover cake that you either baked at home or is bakery-bought, which leaves you wondering how the dessert is stored. The real question is, does cheesecake get spoiled?

Or you hosted a small gathering with a couple of friends in the middle of the week and since most of them like your homemade cheesecake, you’re thinking of whipping up some for them but won’t be able to do so on that particular day. So, you’re left with no other choice but to make the cake in advance, but you doubt whether freezing it will be a great way to preserve it or not.

If you’re faced with either case and you’d like to know a thing or two about the shelf life, freezing, storage and going bad of cheesecake, you’re in the right place. Read on.

How to Store Cheesecake

As you know, the main ingredient used to make cheesecake is cream cheese and as a result, it needs to be stored in the fridge.

Obviously, the cake should always be covered to prevent it from drying out and absorbing different odors from the refrigerator. You can use a cake carrier to cover it, or divide the leftovers into small pieces before placing them in airtight food containers. Alternatively, the cake can be wrapped using plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

If the topping you used on your cheesecake doesn’t do well in the fridge, it’s probably best for you to put it in the fridge before topping it and add the finishing touches immediately before serving.

Can You Freeze Cheesecake?

Obviously, when cheesecake is kept in the fridge it retains its freshness for just a couple of days. So, if you intend on storing yours for a prolonged period, the best way is to freeze it. The best thing about this dessert is that it freezes pretty well and most bakeries advise their customers to freeze their leftovers.

Note that the cheesecake ability to freeze is determined by the ingredients used in it and the recipe you or your favorite bakery chose. Naturally, the general rule is that assuming that the cheesecake is dense and wasn’t topped with sensitive ingredients, it will freeze properly.

Now let’s look at the best way to freeze cheesecake. It’s very simple. Basically, the cake has to be wrapped in something that is freezer-safe, so that it doesn’t get freezer burn or dry out. You can use anything such as a freezer bag, an airtight container or two layers of aluminum foil. Just be careful not to squash the pieces of cake while wrapping them.

If you’d like to defrost your cheesecake, leave it in the fridge overnight before when you want to eat it. you can also thaw it a couple of hours before serving it.

Finally, as long as the defrosted cheesecake remains in the refrigerator, you can always refreeze it if you don’t finish it.

How Long Does Cheesecake Last?

Obviously, cheesecake is made using dairy products, mainly cream cheese. Eggs are also used in some recipes. Since such ingredients are very delicate, which means that the cheesecake cannot stay fresh for a long time.

Generally, the estimated shelf life of a cheesecake bought from the store is five to seven days when it’s stored in the refrigerator, unless the package label outlines a shorter timeframe.

When you’re dealing with homemade cheesecake, it normally can be kept in the fridge for not more than 5 days. In short, just follow the storage guidelines indicated alongside the recipe you’re using, or if you’re using various perishable ingredients, keep it for a shorter time.

If you’d like to keep your cheesecake for a prolonged period, it’s best to freeze it. The cake should retain its original quality when in the freezer for a couple of months.

Note that the specified periods are just rough estimates. As usual, cheesecake bought from the bakery or store will last a little longer as the bakers include some preservatives in their recipes, unlike the homemade variety which don’t have any preservatives.

How To Tell If Cheesecake Has Gone Bad

Unfortunately, there aren’t any great methods of telling whether your cheesecake is still fresh or it has gone bad.

If you notice any discoloration, mold or other organic growth or the cake has an unpleasant smell, throw it away. These signs usually become visible when the cheesecake has been in storage for two weeks and even longer.

This means that to be on the safe side when dealing with homemade cheesecake that has been in the fridge for more than five to seven days, just throw it out. However, when it comes to the bakery-bought variety, throw it out after seven to nine days, even it seems to be fine.

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