Does Cheesecake Need to Be Refrigerated? (2024)

FAQs

Does Cheesecake Need to Be Refrigerated? ›

Since most cheesecakes contain a lot of dairy, the dessert must be kept in the refrigerator. Cheesecake has been around for centuries, and it remains, as ever, one of the most beloved desserts around. It's believed that the ancient Greeks on the island of Samos created the first cheesecake.

How Long Can Cheesecake Sit Unrefrigerated? Cheesecake can sit out for up to 4 hours before it needs to be refrigerated. However, if the room temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit, it's best to refrigerate the cheesecake after 2 hours.

While we wish we had better news, if you accidentally went to bed and left your cheesecake cooling on the counter, it's best to not risk illness by consuming it. When you have cheesecake that's already baked and chilled, the absolute max time you could let it sit out to avoid the USDA's "danger zone" is two hours.

Second, cheesecakes absolutely taste best at room temperature, so after chilling let it stand at room temperature for 20 to 30 minutes before serving. 2. Soften the cream cheese: Word to the wise: bring your cream cheese to room temperature before making a cheesecake.

However, heavy cream won't whip up well unless it's cold. That means you need to ensure both the heavy cream and the cream cheese are fridge-cold. If your ingredients are too warm, you'll end up with a soupy mixture that will never set, no matter how long you leave it in the fridge.

Cream cheese should not be left out longer than two hours at room temp (or higher than 40 degrees F) because it then becomes a playground for nasty bacteria like salmonella. No one wants a trip to the emergency room over the carrot cake. If it's been out for longer than two hours, toss it—better safe than sorry.

Once your cake pan is no longer hot to the touch, cover it and move it to the refrigerator to chill overnight in its springform pan. Chilling it overnight ensures that it sets properly.

The secret to testing a cheesecake for doneness: Jiggle it. Define jiggle, you say? Gently shake the cheesecake (wearing oven mitts, of course). If the cheesecake looks nearly set and only a small circle in the center jiggles slightly, it's done.

Cheesecakes sit out all day in cafes with no issue. You'll be fine unless your house was really warm last night.

And, according to the USDA FoodKeeper chart, cheesecake should be consumed within five to seven days after baking—or opening a pre-bought cheesecake.

Will undercooked cheesecake set in the fridge? ›

The most effective way to cool down a cheesecake is to put it in the fridge for a few hours, but overnight is preferable. As it cools it gets firmer at the center, naturally. Sometimes, this is all it takes to repair a sloppy cheesecake.

If you don't want to wait around for the cheesecake to cool, you can serve it while it's still warm. But be prepared for it to taste slightly different in texture than what you're used to. Refrigerate the cheesecake for 6-24 hours. Ideally, the cheesecake is cool when you serve it.

Yes! No-bake cheesecake must be refrigerated when it is first made to allow it to set properly. It also requires refrigerating for storage and should not sit out longer than two hours for serving. Any leftovers should also be refrigerated.

A chilled cheesecake won't set firm if you don't make sure the cream cheese is at room temperature when you use it. For best results leave it out of the fridge overnight and don't over beat it.

I'd recommend wrapping it in a layer or two of plastic wrap at the very least. You can also wrap it in another layer of foil and even place it in a ziplock bag. Each additional layer will give it more protection. You could even wrap it and then store it in an air tight container, if you have room in your freezer.

Make-Ahead and Storage

To make this cheesecake partially ahead of time, assemble the crust up to a couple of days in advance, wrap tightly in plastic, and refrigerate until it's needed. Once filled, the cheesecake is best served within 36 hours, but can be tightly wrapped and refrigerated for up to a week.

How long can cheese sit out before it becomes unsafe to eat? For the best taste and quality, cheese should not be left out for longer than two hours at room temperature. Hard cheeses can be left out longer without becoming unsafe, but the quality and taste may change.