Does Cheesecake Need to Be Refrigerated? Does It Go Bad?

If you’re a dessert enthusiast, you probably love cheesecake. Other popular desserts can hardly match the simplicity and deliciousness. Cheesecakes are flourless cakes usually made up of two to three components in different layers. It typically consists of an optional crust on the bottom, a middle layer of sweet or savory fillings, and a topping of fruit, chocolate, cookie crumbs, or any other preferred item. 

Cheesecake can be pretty delicate to handle, even with its exciting highlights, because it cannot be left out for an extended period without spoiling. In this article, we’ll take a look at ways to preserve cheesecake, so it doesn’t go bad quickly and some essential things to know about this dessert.

How to Refrigerate Cheesecake? Step by Step Guide

It’s pretty important that you let your cheesecake cool down before you store it. Putting a cheesecake into the refrigerator directly after cooking can compromise the creaminess and cause it to become soggy. Proper wrapping is also essential as it prevents the cheesecake from drying out and prevents outside odors from permeating the cheesecake while it is refrigerated.

• Let it sit out at room temperature for at least an hour before putting it in the refrigerator.
• Take it out of the fridge after about an hour and remove the cheesecake from the pan.
• Place the cake on a tray, cake board, or plate.
• Wrap the cake carefully with plastic wrap. You may want to place some toothpicks around the edge to hold the plastic up and away from the surface of the cake so it doesn’t smear the topping.

Can You Make Cheesecake in Advance?

Cheesecakes can be made in advance when you plan ahead for a hangout, reunion, or family consumption. Because they can be refrigerated or frozen for days, you can certainly bake them in advance and then serve them on the day you’re entertaining. Generally, the refrigerated cheesecake will remain in good condition for up to 3 days, while frozen cheesecake can last for weeks. 

How To Prepare A Cheesecake For Best Results?

Preparing cheesecake seems so straightforward, but you can still mess it up if you don’t take note of some important factor. Check out the following tips to make a perfect cheesecake every single time.

Use full-fat ingredient

Full-fat regular cheese and sour cream tend to have a richer and fuller taste than fat-free and reduced-fat products. You should opt for low-fat products if you are required to avoid full-fat products. Otherwise, full-fat products are recommended.

Add eggs last

While you can whip the cream cheese and sugar for as long as you want, you can do that with eggs in the mix. You can easily cause issues with your cheesecake if you beat it for too long. The more you mix eggs, the more air gets into the batter. That could cause cracks in the cheesecake as it bakes. To prevent this, it is recommended that you add into the mix last and not mix for too long afterward.

Use a hand mixer

Mixing cheesecake batter with a manual whisk will be too stressful on the wrist, and there’s every chance that it won’t come out as smooth as it should be. A good hand or stand mixer will get the job done relatively quickly.

Grease the pan

It would be best to always grease your baking pan before layering your ingredients to prevent the batter from sticking to the edges. Even when you’re using a non-stick pan, you should still grease.

Use a water bath

Not all cheese recipes need a water bath, but it is still recommended if you want to ensure that the cake bakes evenly and gently. When the water temperature gets to the boiling point, the steam produced keeps the baking even and prevents overcooking around the edges. The steam also keeps the air around the cheesecake moist, preventing the top of the cake from cracking.

Run a knife around the edge

When you take the cheesecake out of the oven, it starts to cool down and tends to contract a little. When the edges are still attached to the pan, cracks will develop when it starts to contract. To prevent this, run a long thin knife around the edges of the cheesecake when you remove it from the oven.

How to Keep Cheesecake Fresh?

The best way to enjoy the creamy deliciousness of a cheesecake is to eat it shortly after it is made. While cheesecakes generally don’t remain fresh for long before they go bad, there are certain things you could do to store them and keep them fresh to be enjoyed at a later time. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to store cheesecake and preserve the freshness, here’s how to go about it.

Refrigeration

This is one way to ensure that cheesecake remains fresh and tasty as it slows down bacteria growth and makes it stay good for a few extra days. If you want to keep your cheesecake relatively fresh for a day or two, refrigeration will do that for you. However, if you need it to remain fresher for longer, you’ll have to take a few extra steps.

Proper wrapping

Another critical thing to note is that proper wrapping is crucial to keeping cheesecake fresh, especially when refrigerating. When you wrap tightly in a plastic wrap, the essential flavors are well preserved, and foreign odors are unable to get into the cheesecake and compromise the freshness.

Airtight container

Storing cheesecake in an airtight container has the same effect as wrapping tightly in plastic wrap. It also keeps the flavor secured and air out while keeping out odors that can affect the cheesecake’s freshness. Putting cheesecake in an airtight container is not enough to keep it fresh for days; refrigeration is still essential.

Freezing

This is the best way to go when you want to keep cheesecake fresh for a very long time. Freezing cheesecake is the only way to keep it edible for 2 – 3 months. Note that it may not remain as fresh as when it was originally made, but it will remain edible and safe to consume.

• Once the cheesecake has cooled down to room temperature, move it to the freezer. Leave it uncovered.
• Let it sit for one hour
• After the hour is up, bring it out of the freezer and wrap it tightly in plastic wrap
• Put the wrapped cheesecake in a freezer bag and return it to the freezer 

Should You Refrigerate Cheesecake After Baking?

Yes, it would be best to refrigerate cheesecake, even after baking. Because it is a dairy-based dessert, cheesecake can quickly breed bacteria that can be harmful to human health. Refrigeration is known to slow down bacteria growth in food, so you should put your cheesecake in a refrigerator after baking to prevent potential digestive issues or food poisoning. Nevertheless, you should ensure that the cake cools down to room temperature before you refrigerate.

Does Cheesecake Go Bad If Not Refrigerated?

Cheesecake will definitely go bad when not refrigerated or frozen. Can you leave cheesecake out overnight? The answer is no. It should be refrigerated no later than a couple of hours after preparation as a general rule. Bacteria levels can grow quickly in cheesecake, causing it to go bad. However, refrigeration can slow down bacteria growth.

Should You Cover Cheesecake in the Fridge?

Yes, you should cover cheesecake when refrigerating. Firstly, a cover will help preserve the texture and richness of the cake. When cheesecake is directly exposed to the atmosphere inside a fridge, it tends to dry out and lose some of its richness. Interestingly, pie containers usually have lid covers. However, if you have your cheesecake or a tray, a plate, or any other similar surface, you have the option of a plastic wrap or foil.

How To Avoid Growing Bacteria On Your Cheesecake

Cheesecake can start to go bad hours after it is made. To prevent harmful bacteria from growing in your cheesecake, there are some things you should do. Cheesecake should not sit out for more than two hours. While it is advised to let cheesecake cool down to room temperature before refrigerating, it should not be left at room temperature for more than a couple of hours.

Conclusion

If you’ve ever wondered if cheesecakes need to be refrigerated even after they’ve been cooked, the answer is yes. Cheesecakes that’s been left unrefrigerated for more than two hours should be thrown out to prevent food poisoning or any other foodborne illness. When refrigerating, it is important to shield the cheesecake from the direct air inside the fridge as that can cause the cake to dry out. When refrigerating, always put in an airtight container or wrap tightly with plastic wrap. So, how long can cheesecake sit out at room temperature? You shouldn’t leave it out for more than two hours if you don’t want it to go bad.