Have you ever wondered if you can freeze cream cheese? The answer is yes, you can! Use the directiosn below on how to freeze cream cheese and tips for thawing frozen cream cheese when you are ready to use it.
Can you Freeze Cream Cheese?
Cream cheese is something that every so often you can find a great deal on. You may be afraid to stock up on it since it is a dairy product, and you wonder can cream cheese be frozen? Don’t be scared to take advantage of a great deal on it when you find one! You can freeze cream cheese! In fact, cream cheese is easy to freeze and it can be used in lots of recipes when it thaws out. Here are some tips on How to Freeze Cream Cheese in case you find one of those great deals you can’t pass up.
How to Freeze Cream Cheese
To freeze cream cheese, follow these simple instructions:
Put an unopened package of cream cheese in a freezer bag. You will want to squeeze all of the air out. Make sure that you date the bag! Did you know that you can extend the life of your cream cheese by 6 months just by freezing it?
How to Thaw Frozen Cream Cheese
To thaw frozen cream cheese, follow these instructions:
Simply take the frozen cream cheese out of the freezer and place it in your refrigerator overnight. It will be thawed within 24 hours and ready to use.
The consistency of the cream cheese will slightly change during the freezing and thawing process. After you thaw it will be a little crumbly so it doesn’t work as well as a spread, however, you do have a few options.
How to Use Thawed Cream Cheese
- Use it for cooking certain recipes just as it is. When you use it for cooking (casseroles, dips, baking, etc) it will taste just the same!
- Put it in the mixer (or whip it by hand) for a few minutes. This method will work to sort of help it becomes spreadable but keep in mind that it will not quite restore it to the original consistency.
- Warm it up in the microwave. Stir it smooth. When it cools it will go back almost to the same consistency that it was before being frozen!
The method that I use depends on what I am going to use the cream cheese for. If we are baking with the cream cheese then option 1 is my go-to method. However, for everyday use and most of the time, I use method 3. It’s easy and just takes a few seconds to heat up!
Cream cheese is actually quite versatile, so don’t worry about freezing it. It is perfect for freezing so the next time you see a great deal on cream cheese don’t be afraid to pick up one or two extra cartons and pop them into your freezer!
More Freezing Tips:
Tips on how Dice and Freeze Bell Peppers
How to Freeze Lemon and Lime Juice with Zest
And don’t forget to use these tips for saving money on dairy products!
Thanks to Amanda Faulkner for sharing her tips!
Pat says
I’ve frozen cream cheese in the past, it was delicious after I opened it,
No problem, I do it all the time,
Just make sure you close the bag so no air is trapped inside
Erlene Johnson says
What is the method to freeze when you use only half of the package of cream cheese?
Alea Milham says
If I have recipes that I plan to make that use only half a package of cream cheese, I cut the block in half before freezing, wrap the two halves in plastic wrap, then put them inside a freezer bag. This allows me to just pull out what I need.
Connie says
How well does the lite cream cheese freeze?
Jackie Copus says
Thank you so much for your blog on freezing cream cheese. For some reason I just started thinking about it. I’m starting to get my baking ingredients all together for the holidays. I start about mid October. I’m called mis Jackie aka the cookie lady at my husband’s work place
Lorri says
Can I use cream cheese that has been frozen & thawed for frosting?
Alea Milham says
Yes, you can.
Ellen Fleury says
Did you ever try to freeze cream cheese packaged with the food saver?
Share Smithwick says
While ok and or perfect for most cooking recipes it is not to be trusted for long baking cheesecakes since it does lose some of its body in the freezing process and does not perform as well in long bakes. Works ok if you are using whipped cream with it in the kitchen-type no-bake cheesecakes but not the Greece/New york style cakes that bake from 45 min to 90 min.
Laurie says
Cn u re-freeze cream cheese if u don’t use an entire block but use fr daily toast fr example?
Alea Milham says
I don’t recommend refreezing it. If you don’t normally use a whole block of it, then cut it into usable portions, wrap the cut pieces in plastic wrap, and then freeze them. Then you can only pull out and thaw what you need.
Nancy Kemp says
I am pleased to find your advice about freezing cream cheese. Thanks.
Lori says
When you say freeze in original packaging do you mean the cardboard box or just the foil portion?
Alea Milham says
I place the cream cheese in the freezer still in the box.
Ginny says
Hi there…I have 3# blocks of cream cheese that my neighbor gave me. Could I divide it up & package it instead if freezing the entire 3#?
How should I package it?
Alea Milham says
Yes, you can. I recommend freezing it in 8-ounce packages since recipes often call for 8 ounces.
Gayle says
I really like all the ideas this will help me in the future when i buy cream cheese and not use right away many thanks to all of your group and especially. Alexa ;
Cathy says
I’m wondering about freezing the flavored tubs of Philadelohia cream cheese? Eg, jalapeno, garlic & herb dill etc. Thanks
Sue says
Freezing cream cheese works best with the original Philadelphia Cream cheese. Other brands tend to get crumbly.
Cheryl Burns says
I made a pie with white chocolate mixed with cream cheese and raspberry juice in a graham cracker crust. Can I freeze the pie for eating later?
Share Smithwick says
Yes, I freeze high-end homemade cheesecakes, wrapped in parchment paper and foil. While still wrapped you can thaw on the counter a couple of hours before serving and or for the next day thaw in the refrigerator while still wrapped.
Patricia says
I have two more alternative for using the frozen cream cheese after it’s thawed. One is that I will put it in my food processor and whip it up. Part of the reason it’s crumbly after freezing is the loss of moisture and to rectify that I dribble a little half and half or heavy cream into it when it’s in the food processor. You need to use REALLY FRESH cream or half and half because you don’t want your cream cheese to go bad because what you are adding goes bad. And, a little at a time! You end up with something like the spreadable cream cheese in the tubs.
The second thing is that I sometimes add the crumbly cheese to the blender when I make a smoothy. I like my smoothies to have a little body and this does he trick if I have some around that I don’t want to spoil. Not that cream cheese ever goes to waste around me!
Alea Milham says
Thanks for sharing these tips! These are both great ways to use thawed cream cheese!
June says
Thanks for the tips. I tried freezing it and got the crumbly stuff and threw it out because in that state, it tastes terrible and impossible to use. So now I have always just bought it before I wanted to use. Now, I want to try your methods and freeze my cream cheese. If I have any successes or failures, I will let you know. Again, thanks.
Merle Barmania says
Can you still make cream cheese pastry with it? And can the pastry befrozen again….just wondered if you know
Ronald Heinzinger says
Another heads up…..run through a mini food processor (or regular size for larger quantities) after defrosted. Exactly like the day it was bought, no change at all.
jabeve says
I do not freeze cream cheese; however, since I make many cheesecakes, I like to keep a supply on hand. I have found that you can use it long past the expiration date. As long as the package is not opened, it stays fresh at least 3 months after the
“use by” date.
Suzanne says
My creamcheese froze in the back of my meat drawer. I thought it would correct the texture once I whipped it up into a cheesecake. Don’t do it! We ate the cake, but it was “off”.
I like the idea of warming it in the microwave and whipping it up. I’ll give that a try since I have 2 more frozen bars. I guess I should store it other than in the meat drawer 🙂
Lori sellers says
I have a question are you saying you can freeze the whole package of cream cheese including the box too ? Thanks
Alea Milham says
Yes. You can put the unopened package in the freezer.
Judy says
Thanks, good tips. I tend to stock up on cream cheese when on sale, and usually put it in that back of my ‘fridge and forget about it. Although intending to make cheese cake with it, sometimes it goes bad, so I think for cooking in casseroles, etc., this would be a good option. 🙂
Theresa Hitchcock says
I love all the recipes here. Look forward to seeing more of them.
Karen says
It says right on the package not to freeze cream cheese. I’m wondering if you have used any of your methods for cheesecake.
Alea Milham says
I do not use previously frozen cream cheese as a spread or in cheesecake, but you can use it in dips and casseroles without a problem.
Debbie S says
My Mom uses frozen cream cheese in her baked cheese cake. None of us knew the difference when the cake was gone and she told us. It was Philadelphia!
Sue says
I have froze cream cheese many times. It does have a crumbly techture. Afterwards. But on a warm bagel or recipe it’s fine.
Liza says
I always use it in my cheesecake..it’s absolutely fine.
B. Chin says
I love all the tips! I always cook more than need. It’s wonderful now that good food does not have to go to waste.
Sherron says
I bake for my friends at the post office great tips thank you so much that saves me lots of money