In the grand pantheon of desserts, cheesecake really reigns supreme, but just as with every edible delight, it too has a temporal limit.
Just how long will your beloved cheesecake endure within the confines of your refrigerator? And is a two-week-old cheesecake still safe to consume?
In this article, we find out how long cheesecake lasts and whether it is safe to eat an old cheese cake.
Is It Safe To Eat Old Cheesecake?
Given its composition of perishable ingredients like cream cheese and eggs, cheesecakes have the potential to spoil if neglected or improperly stored.
If you’ve left your cheesecake sitting in the refrigerator for more than a week, say 2 weeks, it’s really time to bid it goodbye as the flavors and textures may no longer be at their prime, and the cake must have begun to grow mold or harbor harmful bacteria.
However, there’s a silver lining for those who have frozen their cheesecakes.
Properly frozen cheesecakes can indeed be a saving grace when defrosted – despite how long they may have been in the freezer.
The taste might vary slightly based on the duration of its icy stay but rest assured, it will still be enjoyable for consumption.
What Happens If You Eat Expired Cheesecake?
Expired cheesecake can actually harbor bacteria such as Salmonella or Listeria, making it far from a sweet treat.
The reason for this?
Cheesecake’s high protein content that traps moisture and provides an ideal breeding ground for these fast-acting bacteria.
Depending on the individual, they may develop unpleasant symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps and diarrhea.
How Do You Know If Cheesecake Is Gone Bad?
First off, appearance matters.
If there’s discoloration on your cake or it appears dry, it could be a hint that your cheesecake isn’t in its prime. Be particularly wary of brown edges and noticeable mold spots; these are blatant signals your dessert has seen better days.
Secondly, the aroma speaks volumes. When a delightful cheesy smell gives way to an off-putting sour stench, that’s a surefire sign something has gone wrong.
Your sight and smell senses are not the only ones at play here.
A compromised texture often accompanies spoiling: cheesecakes past their best before date may exhibit unusual moisture levels – like droplets of water on them – or have a rubbery or grainy texture that doesn’t align with the creamy smoothness you would typically expect from this dessert.
Lastly, taste comes into play. An extremely sour taste is never a good sign when dealing with cheesecake. If you accidentally tasted a cheesecake and discovered its foul taste, discard it.
How Long To Keep Cheesecake In Fridge Before Eating?
For a homemade version, the answer is about 3-5 days after making it. If you’ve purchased one from the store, you have a slightly longer grace period of 5 to 7 days.
If you’re storing homemade cheesecake in the fridge or even freezer, ensure that it cools down completely at room temperature.
Cooling before storage prevents unwanted condensation from forming on the cake’s surface and meddling with both its texture and flavor.
Once cooled, wrap it right and tight with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
Then tuck it into an airtight container and put it in your refrigerator or freezer.
Note that if you’re dealing with a no-bake cheesecake – there’s no need for taking cooling breathers before refrigeration!
How Long Can You Eat Cheesecake After The Expiration Date?
It might be tempting to take a bite of that decadent treat after the many days that it spent in your fridge, but hold on before you dive in.
Typically, store bought cheesecakes should be discarded if they have been stored in the refrigerator for longer than one week.
Yes, that’s right; two-week-old cheesecake is a huge no no!
If you’ve had your homemade cheesecake sitting in the fridge for about three days though, it’s time to proceed with caution.
Before savoring the last bites of that ever-so-tempting dessert, make sure you check for any telltale signs of spoilage.
Does Cheesecake Go Bad Out Of The Fridge?
Spoiler alert: not very long!
Cheesecake is a perishable good that needs proper refrigeration. It should never be left out at room temperature for more than two hours, especially on really hot days.
Should you find yourself in the unfortunate situation where your cheesecake was accidentally left out overnight, the safest course of action would be to throw it away.
It may seem heartbreaking to discard such a gem unceremoniously, but risking foodborne illness for the sake of dessert is not the sweetest decision.
How Long Does Cheesecake Last In The Fridge After Defrosting?
Just thawed your frozen cheesecake and wondered how long you’ve got before it turns?
Well, the rule is simple, cheesecakes, once defrosted, follow the same spoilage timeline as their fresh counterparts.
In essence, this means that your newly-thawed cheesecake will maintain its goodness for somewhere between 3 to 7 days in the fridge (most likely on the lower range of the date though).
To get the most out of your cheesecake experience, anticipate its slightly speedier spoilage rate and plan to consume it a bit earlier than you would with a freshly baked one.
How Long Does Cheesecake Factory Cake Last?
When properly stored in the freezer, a Cheesecake Factory cake can last for up to an astonishing 12 months.
After thawing your frozen cheesecake, however, you’ll want to consume it much faster.
The dessert will retain its mouthwatering quality for between just 3 to 5 days once thawed.
