You are so excited preparing cream cheese that you never realize you prepared more than you need. So, what will you do with the leftover? Nah, wasting good food is not a good habit. You will probably wonder how you can possibly store it for weeks.
Is freezing cream cheese frosting okay? Yes, it’s okay. Cream cheese can be frozen, and you can thaw it when you need it. But there is a technique that you must know so it will not crumble after freezing and thawing. You will again have that thick and fluffy cheese frosting.
Here are the tips on how you can store, freeze, and thaw thick cheese frosting.
How To Freeze Cream Cheese Frosting
Freezing your cheese frosting and thawing it for use is both safe and simple.
Ways to store and freeze cream cheese frosting.
- Use resealable freezer bag or airtight food container to store cheese frosting.
- If you used freezer bag, be sure that it is leak free and sealed tightly.
- Put labels on the container or plastic bag to remind you when it was prepared or when did you freeze it
- If you have several bags or containers of cheese frostings, stack them carefully in your freezer.
Though you can use food container to store and freeze frosting, it is easier to store frosting in a freezer bag. You can portion it in several freezer bags and stack them in your freezer. It will be handy to get and it will be easier to thaw only what you need for a certain time than thawing the whole lot.
The freezer bag is also easy to use as an improvised pastry bag or piping bag to design frosting on your cakes or cookies.
How Long Does Cream Cheese Frosting Last?
Frosting contains fat just like the cream cheese, and therefore it is easier to freeze. If you packed it meticulously in a clean, dry, and airtight plastic bag or food container, it would remain best for consumption within three months.
If you do not need to store you cheese frosting for more than a week, you can simply refrigerate it. However, you still need to place it in an airtight freezer bag or food container.
Keep in mind that cheese frosting should never be placed at temperature higher than 40 degrees Fahrenheit for more than 2 hours as bacteria could grow in it. Be sure to refrigerate your leftover frosting right after coating your cakes.
When is Cheese Frosting Not Safe
Keep in mind that cream cheese is best kept in storage with temperature lower than 40 degrees Fahrenheit. It will be a good breeding ground for bacteria and other unwanted microorganisms if placed in temperature higher than 40 degrees for more than two hours and that could be unsafe to eat.
Cheese frosting should be refrigerated or frozen if you need to use it awhile after preparing it.
Thawing Cream Cheese Frosting
Thawing your frozen cheese frosting should never be a hassle. You can place it in your fridge to thaw overnight.
Letting your frosting thaw while inside the fridge is safer because the temperature will not abruptly change from cold to hot when you take it out to room temperature to thaw.
Remember that exposing cheese frosting to temperature higher than 40 degrees can cause bacteria to grow in it.
After thawing your cheese frosting, you might find it watery or crumbly. Do not worry, you can make it thick and creamy again. Just mix the frosting in your electric mixer for a few minutes until you see it turn thick.
You can be sure that your cheese frosting is good for consumption until three days after thawing and refrigerating it. If you keep it for longer than three days, it could turn sour and you should discard it.
Do not refreeze thawed thick cheese frosting more than three days.
Freezing Frosted Cakes
You can choose to freeze cakes with frosting, or you can freeze the cake and the frosting separately.
However, it is best to freeze your creamy cheese frosting separately from the cake.
If you are freezing cupcakes, you can wrap it individually in food wraps with enough room for the frost not to be flattened, then place it carefully in an airtight food container before refrigerating or freezing it. It will also be easier for you to get the portion you need the following days if wrapped individually.
If you want to freeze quite a big cake, it is best that you portion it into smaller sizes or slice it. Wrap the slices in freezer bags or foil in a way that it will not collapse the frosting. Place it an airtight food container or on a freezer tray carefully before putting it in your fridge or freezer.
Related Questions
Which is better for cheese frosting, salted or unsalted butter?
Others like salted butter instead of unsalted in their cheese frosting and it is okay if you can moderate the saltiness in your cream. But it will be easier to balance the taste of your cream cheese if you will use unsalted butter.
How can I differentiate icing and frosting?
Frosting has thick and creamy texture which is used to coat cakes. It is also moderately sweet while icing has lighter consistency, sweeter than frosting and used to glazed pastries and cakes.
Can I mix milk to cream cheese frosting?
Sometimes it is difficult to balance the consistency of homemade frosting. Adding some milk if the frosting is too thick will loosen it up but be sure to do so measurably so your frosting will not end up to thin or soupy.
Freezing Cream Cheese Frosting
It is good to store creamy cheese frosting and freezing it is the best way for longer shelf life. Just keep in mind to label each package of your frozen frosting so you will be able to monitor which is best to consume first.