To Chill or Not To Chill: Does Cheesecake Need To Be Refrigerated? Mom's Baking Co.

Contents

Should Cheesecake Be Refrigerated?
How Long Can Cheesecake Sit Out at Room Temperature?
Does Cheesecake Really Need To Be Refrigerated?
Common Cheesecake FAQs

Is there anything in the world more rewarding than cheesecake? This tangy-yet creamy dessert is delicious in winter and summer alike, whether it be in the form of fall-borne pumpkin cheesecake or a summery strawberry marvel. But do these decadent cheesecakes really need to be refrigerated?

Simply put? Yes – they very much do!

Should Cheesecake Be Refrigerated?

Since cheesecake contains dairy and eggs, it is prone to spoiling quickly and should be refrigerated as soon as possible. Most cheesecakes contain a number of items (cream cheese, sour cream, eggs, and butter) that are highly perishable, making this enticing treat a prime target for bacteria to grow upon.

Cream cheese, especially, can harbor listeria, a particularly unwelcomed bacteria which can have some nasty consequences. We’ll save you the unpleasant details, but you can read more about this icky microbe at the CDC website if you like.

Foods like cheesecake and custard pie must first be baked to an internal temperature between 150ºF and 160°F for baking safety and then refrigerated after briefly cooling to settle at room temperature. Cheesecake should be ready to move to the refrigerator after 30 minutes and at this point should be chilled there for at least 4 hours before eating or covering with any irresistible toppings.

According to Better Homes and Gardens, due to the high moisture content and protein that are in common cheesecake ingredients such as eggs and milk, bacteria are likely to multiply when left at room temperature – especially in warm weather.

Even refrigerated cheesecake has a lifespan. The USDA food safety website recommends cheesecake be eaten within 5 to 7 days – if frozen, this time frame is extended to 3 to 6 months.

How Long Can Cheesecake Sit Out at Room Temperature?

It’s a common experience. You’ve invited guests for dinner and out comes the dessert. Perhaps it’s a simple New York-style cheesecake, personal cheesecake cups, or some scrumptious cheesecake bars, and your guests are savoring every bite, some even reaching for seconds! Everyone’s eating and drinking and having a grand old time – you don’t want to ruin it by getting up and putting everything away. But how long can that cheesecake sit out before it becomes, well, iffy?

The short answer? Two hours.

Think you can leave it out longer if your kitchen is cool? Nope. Two hours is the max time cheesecake should be left out at over 40°F. And if temps are over 90°F, the time shortens to one hour. Yikes!

difference between cheesecake and new york cheesecake

So unless your kitchen is in a chilly cabin in Siberia, two hours really is the max. But frankly, that’s plenty of time for most people. Simply leave your cheesecake chilling until your guests are ready for dessert and once you bring it out, set a timer to remind you to put it away again. And if it’s terribly hot out, offer to refrigerate anyone’s leftovers so everyone can take chilled, food-safe slices home.

There’s always a balance. I mean, you don’t want to sweep people’s plates away while they’re still picking at them, but you don’t want them to get sick either.

Does Cheesecake Really Need To Be Refrigerated?

Yes, cheesecake most definitely does need to be refrigerated. Once taken out of the oven, let that precious dessert cool to room temp and then refrigerate immediately! One to two hours is the max time cheesecake can be left out without risking harmful bacteria growing.

Trust us – it’s not worth it. You probably don’t want to risk foodborne illness on that last slice of peanut butter cheesecake. Don’t cry though. There’s more cheesecake where that came from – you just have to make it first!

What’s that? Another excuse to bake? Yes, yes it is.

Common Cheesecake FAQs

Whether you’re baking a simple lemon cheesecake or a decadent white chocolate berry cheesecake, one thing is for certain – cheesecake is delicious. Still, you may have a few questions about this dairy-filled dessert.

Does Cheesecake Melt?

Not exactly. While cheesecake won’t melt into a puddle of liquid when left out at too warm a temperature, it may become runny and the crust will become soggy.

What are some of the worst places to leave cheesecake? In direct sunlight or a hot car with rolled-up windows. Hot and humid conditions will ruin the texture of the cheesecake and quicken spoilage. This is why cheesecake should be moved to the refrigerator as soon as possible.

What Is The Best Way To Store Cheesecake?

To guarantee the best cheesecake, wrapping in plastic wrap is recommended. Did you know cheesecake can absorb other odors in the fridge? Yuck! This is because of the high fat content and porous nature of cheesecake.

Therefore, the best way to store cheesecake and prevent it from sponging up other culinary essences is to wrap and then place it in a storage container in the refrigerator. This will also prevent your velvety dessert from drying out.

To freeze cheesecake, wrap it in plastic wrap and then wrap it again in foil. It will be easiest to do this in sections or slices rather than the whole cake. When ready to thaw, set out at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours. Now, add toppings and devour.

How Long Does Cheesecake Last Unrefrigerated?

If left at temperatures between 40°F to 90°F, two hours is the max amount of time cheesecake can be left unrefrigerated. If above 90°F, this time shortens to one hour.

Better stop admiring that cheesecake and start gobbling it up!

I Ate Cheesecake That Was Left Out Overnight – Now What?

We’ve all been there – you were exhausted after a long day of baking and cooking, fell into bed, and walked out the next morning to a dreadful sight: last night’s masterpiece still sitting on the countertop. And then you decided to roll the dice and eat a piece.
We’re not gonna lie to you – you might be sick. You also might not.

You’ll find floods of posts on the internet from people who say they’ve done the same and been fine. You’ll also find a lot of information on the food safety website that says some pretty scary stuff.

There’s really nothing else you can do at this point but wait and see. If bacteria was growing on that overnight-guest be prepared to deal with the consequences by having plenty of liquids that contain electrolytes nearby. Food poisoning is usually mild and often passes in a day or so.
If you become severely ill, present any of these 5 signs of severe food poisoning as listed by the CDC, or are sick for more than 3 days though, it’s time to seek medical help.