How Long Is Cheesecake Good For (And Why)?

How Long Is Cheesecake Good For (And Why)?

Exact Answer: 2 Hours

A Cheesecake is a sweet dessert that consists of one or more layers. The primary component of a cheesecake is fresh cheese like ricotta, cottage cheese and cream cheese. The bottom layer contains crushed gram crackers or pastry. A cheesecake may be unbaked or baked. 

This delicious dessert is mostly refrigerated. Despite this, it tends to soil quickly. A cheesecake lasts for only two hours at room temperature. A cheesecake lasts for only two hours at room temperature. However, if stored at 4 degrees Celsius or lower, a cheesecake will last for longer. 

How Long Is Cheesecake Good For

How Long Is Cheesecake Good For?

The shelf life of a cheesecake depends on its size, type and storage conditions. 

At room temperature, the cheesecake will inevitably spoil and become dangerous to consume. As a cheesecake contains high moisture content and perishable components, it is an ideal breeding ground for mould and bacteria. One can keep a cheesecake at room temperature for a maximum of 2 hours. 

In the refrigerator, at 4 degrees Celcius, a cheesecake stores for three to 7 days. One must keep the cake covered to protect it from odours and bacteria present in the fridge. 

One may also store a cheesecake in the freezer. At a low enough temperature, an unopened cheesecake can theoretically last at least 6 to 8 months. However, due to safety concerns, it is better to consume opened cheesecake it in 2 to 3 months. Even correctly stored cheesecake will be a forerunner of bacterial activity eventually.

Fresh or homemade cheesecake does not last as long as processed packaged one. Whether in a refrigerator or not, an unopened packaged cheesecake will last longer than a fresh one. 

Discard the cake if one notices terrible odour, leaking, flavour, discoloration, or mould growth.

In summary,

Type Of/ Storage condition of CheesecakeTime It Lasts
At room temperatureMaximum 2 hours
In the refrigerator:
Unopened frozen cheesecake5 to 6 days
Homemade cheesecake3 to 5 days
Opened cheesecake5 to 7 days
In the freezer:
Unopened cheesecake6 to 8 months
Homemade cheesecakeup to 3 months
Opened cheesecake2 to 3 months

Why Does Cheesecake Last So Long?

A cheesecake, like any other baked good, contains several perishable items. It is susceptible to bacterial infestation, which can considerably shorten the shelf life of the cake. Bacteria reproduce in a short amount of time when given the right conditions. Therefore, one must not keep a cheesecake at room temperature for more than 2 hours. 

After 2 hours, one may notice a terrible odour, leaking, discolouration or mould growth. The moisture present in the cake provides the right conditions for mould spores to grow. Additionally, the presence of dairy products in the dessert increases the risk of Listeria and Salmonella.

At 4 degrees Celcius or lower, food stays fresh longer as the cold reduces the biological activity of bacteria and mould. In the freezer, where the temperature is minus 18 degrees Celcius, bacteria and mould growth and activity completely cease. Hence, the cheesecake can last for two to three months in the freezer. On the contrary, in the refrigerator, bacteria growth is present but slow. Therefore, it spoils faster, in one week. 

When storing a cheesecake in the fridge or freezer, one must wrap it tightly or store it in an airtight container. Proper wrapping prevents the cheesecake from becoming dry. In addition, it will keep the flavour of the cheesecake intact, blocking outside odours. The airtight nature also keeps bacteria at bay. If possible, do not decorate the cheesecake before storing it. Fresh fruit may spoil faster than cheesecake. Therefore, one may not be able to keep it for three months. 

Conclusion

Cheesecake is a moist and sweet dessert, which is susceptible to bacterial activity and mould. Therefore, one must store the cake properly to prolong its shelf life. 

Cheesecake only lasts for 2 hours at room temperature. One can store it in a refrigerator for one week and in the freezer for two to three months. These proper storage techniques slow the growth of bacteria, making the cheesecake safe to eat for longer. 

References

  1. https://www.cabdirect.org/cabdirect/abstract/20001418059
  2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0023643816305801
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