How Long Does Cream Cheese Last?

Mary and Brenda Maher

By Brenda & Mary

Last updated:

If there’s one thing that I can add to all of my frostings, it’s cream cheese! Oh, that tangy-sweet duo just steals my heart from the first bite. I usually stock lots of cream cheese, making sure it’s always ready on hand. The thing is, it won’t last forever in the fridge. If you’re team cream cheese like me, continue reading to see how long cream cheese is good for after opening or unopened!

Cream cheese

How Long Can Cream Cheese Sit Out?

Unopened cream cheese still tastes good 1 month past the best-by date (as stated on its package) if stored in the fridge. Once opened, it can stay fresh for 2 weeks at maximum. However, we recommend using it within 10 days of opening for the best flavor and texture.

Cream Cheese

If left out at room temperature, expect the cream cheese to go stale in 2 hours. The warm environment is the breeding ground for bacteria and pathogens to multiply quickly. If you’ve folded cream cheese into the frosting, it can stay happily in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

That said, the exact lifespan varies among types of cream cheese. Some products come with preservatives and stabilizers, extending their longevity to several months. Meanwhile, others might expire before their use-by date. Hard cream cheese will last longer than soft type thanks to its low moisture.

So, it’s best to check for signs of spoilage whenever you doubt its shelf life (I’ll share them with you later).

How To Store Cream Cheese?

Unopened Cream Cheese

Since cream cheese is a perishable ingredient, the refrigerator is its best friend. It can start spreading and oozing liquid if left at room temperature for longer than 2 hours. So, remember to put them in the fridge and keep the temperature at 40°F or lower. This temperature range impedes bacterial growth. 

Here’s my tip: Don’t ever store your cream cheese or other dairy products at the door of the fridge. I always stash them in the back of the refrigerator. The door undergoes sudden temperature changes as you open and close the fridge. This is also the “warmest” place inside the refrigerator, so your cream cheese is more prone to spoilage. 

Opened Cream Cheese

Cream Cheese Pound Cake batter

Rewrap the foil and put the block back in the fridge—is this what you’re gonna do with your decadent cream cheese? Hear me out: Ditch this storage method, or you’ll end up with dry or moldy cream cheese.

If you still have the original packaging on hand, fold it back tightly, pressing it against all edges. Put the foil-wrapped cream cheese in a zip-top bag, squeezing out the air before sealing it. Then, store it in the back of the fridge.

No foil wrap left? No problem! You can use plastic wrap or place the cream cheese in an air-tight glass container instead. For cream cheese spreads, whipped cream cheese, or cream cheese frosting, a tightly sealed plastic tub or food bowl can do the work.

Regardless, remember to store it away from raw or smelly foods. Otherwise, your delicious cream cheese can soak up those odors and lose its goodness.

Can You Freeze It?

I don’t recommend freezing cream cheese. Freezing can make its heavenly creamy texture dry and crumbly after thawing. It is less than desirable to be used raw, such as spreading. However, if you’re about to mix it up with other ingredients before cooking or baking, frozen cream cheese is also a decent choice.

For an unopened package, just leave it as is in the freezer. But once opened, it requires another protective layer of freezer-safe bags. Press out the air before freezing. Whenever the recipe calls for cream cheese, just let it thaw in the fridge overnight. 

Keep in mind that frozen cream cheese can stay fresh for up to 2 months. Past this time, the texture and flavor can both go off.

How Can You Tell If Cream Cheese Is Bad?

Besides its use-by date, other signs of spoiled cream cheese include:

  • Appearance: Yellowish or greenish spots on the blocks of cream cheese indicate mold; your cream cheese should go to waste then. If the surface looks dry or slimy, you’d better toss it out. 
  • Smell: Picture-perfect appearance? Check! Then, take a sniff test to see if the refrigerated cream cheese is still good. When you spot a sour, funky, or any off smell, it’s best to get a new package of cream cheese.
  • Taste: The cream cheese looks and smells good, but you’re still in doubt? Pinch off a small piece and test it. Does it taste sour? Then, your cream cheese has been past its prime.

Note: Notice liquid pooling on the cream cheese’s surface? Don’t ditch it just yet! I once saw mine become watery. When I was about to toss it, my hubby told me that it still tasted good. It turned out that the cream cheese just separated and was not necessarily spoiled. Check for other signs to be sure!

Delicious Ways To Use Up Leftover Cream Cheese

Have a large batch of cream cheese and don’t want to store it for too long? There are many ways to turn them into mouth-watering dishes!

Besides spreading on bagels or whipping up cheesecakes, its tangy-sweet flavor profile adds a perfect finishing touch on top of banana bread, cheese bread, or toasted raisin bread. I also spread it on my cinnamon sugar toast instead of butter for more depth of flavor. 

Cheese Bread Final

In the mood for a sweet treat? Let’s make cream cheese and strawberry waffles or cream cheese cookies! Crave a crunchy snack? Enjoy some celery slices or crackers topped with some cream cheese! Leftover cream cheese is also a good addition to spicy food, like stuffed jalapeño poppers or Mexican chile rellenos.

The choice is yours!

FAQs

Can Cream Cheese Sit Out Overnight?

Cream cheese only retains its goodness at 40°F or lower. If your home’s temperature hovers around this point, you can technically leave it out overnight. However, even in cold winters, most homes only reach 65 to 75°F, so cream cheese can only sit out for 2 hours at best.

How Can I Soften Cream Cheese?

Cream cheese will firm up when refrigerated. To soften it, you can microwave it at a 15-second interval, check the texture, and continue until it reaches the desired consistency. Otherwise, allow it to bathe in warm water while still covered, or slice it and let it soften on the counter for 30 minutes.

Why Does My Cream Cheese Keep Molding?

If your cream cheese keeps molding, it might be due to improper storage, such as high temperature or not tightly sealed packaging. Cross-contamination is also a main culprit. Other foods or dirty, contaminated utensils can introduce mold spores. In the worst case, the cream cheese has expired, and you must toss it out.

Conclusion

You can stock cream cheese in the fridge or freezer for a month or two if unopened. However, once opened, remember to cover it tightly to minimize air exposure and optimize its shelf life. While each type might have a different lifespan, cream cheese shouldn’t be left out for more than 2 hours. Check for signs of spoilage before using any stocked cream cheese!


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Mary and Brenda Maher

Mary & Brenda Maher

Mary & Brenda Maher, are the founders of Cake Girls, a Chicago-based online baking shop specializing in cake supplies, party decor, and DIY cake tutorials. They are known for their elaborate and artistic cake creations, which have been featured on the Food Network Challenge and in a reality show, Amazing Wedding Cakes.

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