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!
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.