Cream cheese frosting is a delicious and versatile topping for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more. It has a rich and creamy texture and a tangy flavor that complements many desserts. But unlike buttercream or ganache, cream cheese frosting contains dairy products that can spoil easily. So, does cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated? And how long can it last in the fridge or freezer? In this blog post, we’ll answer these questions and more. We’ll also give you some tips on how to make and store cream cheese frosting safely and deliciously.
Does cream cheese frosting need to be refrigerated? The answer is yes, always.
Cream cheese frosting needs to be refrigerated because it contains cream cheese, butter, and milk, which are all perishable ingredients that can grow harmful bacteria if left at room temperature for too long. According to the FDA, cream cheese frosting and other foods that contain cream cheese need to be refrigerated within two hours of preparation or purchase.
If you leave cream cheese frosting out for longer than two hours, you risk spoiling it and potentially causing food poisoning. Bacteria such as Salmonella, E. coli, and Listeria can multiply rapidly in warm temperatures and contaminate your frosting. Some of these bacteria can cause serious illnesses, especially for young children, pregnant women, older adults, and people with weakened immune systems.
If you refrigerate cream cheese frosting properly, it can last up to three days in the fridge. To store cream cheese frosting in the fridge, you need to follow these steps:
To use refrigerated cream cheese frosting, you need to let it come to room temperature before spreading or piping it on your cake or cupcakes. This will help restore its soft and creamy consistency and prevent cracking or tearing your cake. You can either leave the frosting on the counter for an hour or microwave it in 10-second intervals until it’s soft enough to work with.
If you want to keep cream cheese frosting for longer than three days, you can freeze it for up to three months. Freezing cream cheese frosting can help preserve its freshness and flavor and prevent waste. To freeze cream cheese frosting, you need to follow these steps:
To use frozen cream cheese frosting, you need to thaw it in the fridge overnight before bringing it to room temperature on the counter. Then you can spread or pipe it on your cake or cupcakes as usual. You may notice some changes in the texture or color of the frosting after freezing and thawing, but it should still taste good.
Making cream cheese frosting is easy and fun. You only need four ingredients: cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. You can also add some lemon juice or zest for extra flavor. Here’s how to make cream cheese frosting:
Cream cheese frosting is a delicious and versatile topping for cakes, cupcakes, cookies, and more. But it needs to be refrigerated because it contains perishable ingredients that can spoil easily. Refrigerated cream cheese frosting can last up to three days in the fridge or up to three months in the freezer. To use refrigerated or frozen cream cheese frosting, you need to let it come to room temperature before spreading or piping it on your cake or cupcakes.
