However, due to the size of some desserts, it’s entirely possible that you will have leftovers which you’ll need to deal with – and cheesecake is no exception to this.
If you’ve got some cheesecake leftover, you may be wondering how long it can sit out. As a rule, you should not leave cheesecake sit out unrefrigerated for more than 6 hours.
This is because of its ingredients that can quickly perish and cause digestive issues if you consume it after this time. However, there’s more to it than this.
We’ve written this guide which explains how long you can leave cheesecake out, how to store it properly and other handy tips!
Read on to learn more.
So How Long Can Cheesecake Sit Out?
While cheesecake can last quite a while when it is refrigerated, this is not the case when cheesecake is left to sit out.
However, the actual time you can leave it out will depend on the ingredients you have used when making the cheesecake.
As a general rule of thumb, if you want to avoid any potential stomach problems and digestive issues, it is best advised that you do not consume cheesecake if it has been left out for longer than six hours.
Do I Need To Refrigerate My Cheesecake?
Cheesecakes are made with perishable ingredients, so yes you are advised to refrigerate your cheesecake whenever possible. Things like cream cheese and eggs will quickly go bad if they are not kept refrigerated.
In fact, after two hours when cheesecake is left unrefrigerated, you may start to notice bacterial growth on the cheesecake such as mold and other unwanted fungus.
This is why refrigeration is so critical because it slows the rate that bacteria can grow. This of course is slowed even further when cheesecake has been frozen.
How Long Will Cheesecake Last When Refrigerated?
Cheesecake will last for about a week to two weeks when they are properly refrigerated and stored correctly.
The actual time it will last will depend on the ingredients. For example, if you have used Paremsan cheese, it will likely last longer than cream cheese due to the moisture content in the cheese.
Can I Freeze Cheesecake?
You certainly can freeze cheesecake. In fact, this method is recommended if you do not plan to consume your cheesecake in the coming days.
Because cheesecakes can be made with different ingredients, the way in which they freeze will differ. As a result, the best thing you can do when freezing your cheesecake is to place it in airtight containers.
Once you have done this, ensure you label the container and then place it in the freezer in individual slices. While you can freeze a cheesecake as a larger cake, it is much more difficult and requires a larger freezer.
What’s more, when you freeze individual slices of cheesecake, you do not have to thaw out unnecessary amounts of the cake that you do not plan to consume – meaning you can enjoy your cheesecake for longer.
How Do I Thaw Cheesecake?
It’s important to note that cheesecake must be thawed if you have frozen it, before you can enjoy it once more.
The best way and the safest way to do this is by thawing the cheesecake in the refrigerator overnight and then consuming it the next day.
It’s best that you remember to eat the cheesecake after it has been thawed. If you wait any longer, it is likely that the cheesecake will spoil.
Properly Storing Your Cheesecake
One of the ways to extend the life of your cheesecake is by properly covering it when you are storing it. Let’s start with leaving cheesecake out.
Leaving Cheesecake Out
If you need to leave your cheesecake out (remember, for no longer than six hours), then you should cover it with a cake container or something similar.
This will prevent pests and dust particles getting into the cheesecake and spoiling it. Ensure your room temperature is not too warm also because cheesecake must be refrigerated if the room temperature is too high.
Refrigerating Cheesecake
If you plan to refrigerate your cheesecake for the upcoming week or so, then you should ensure it is covered with something like a cake container.
Failing this, you will need an airtight container – and remember to pay attention to how much space you have in your refrigerator.
If you have limited space, it’s best advised that you cut the cheesecake into slices and place them into individual containers. Once again, these should be stored and used in the right time frame.
Freezing Cheesecake
As previously stated, the best way you can freeze your cheesecake is by cutting the slices up and using individual containers, and ensuring you label the containers correctly.
Having adequate space for your cheesecake in the freezer is critical. If you find you do not have enough space, you could try to split half of the cheesecake between the refrigerator and freezer.
Just remember that the refrigerated cheesecake must be eaten within the week and you should always put your focus on using that up before the frozen cheesecake.
What About Store Bought Cheesecake?
It does not matter if you have made the cheesecake or if you have purchased it in a store. Cheesecake’s lifespan will depend on the ingredients used.
However, as a general rule – the time frames that we’ve listed are the sure fire way you can avoid ending up with spoiled cheesecake, and therefore avoiding a bad stomach!
The Bottom Line
If you leave cheesecake out, it will last about six hours – but this can reduce significantly if the room temperature is high.
Have you ever made something so delicious that you wished you could savor it forever?
Only to find that the recipe has now mysteriously vanished from your phone and the entirety of the internet. Yep, there’s not much more painful than that.
Hi, my name is Mark Williams and I have been infatuated with cooking since I was young. I would beg my mother to pull a chair up to the counter so I could watch what she was doing.
