For those of us who enjoy baking, you’ll be used to making far too much frosting than is required, and the last thing you want to see when it comes to delectable cream cheese frosting is it go to waste.
Everyone loves cream cheese icing, so keeping any leftovers or having some on hand for whenever you need them is always a great idea.
Yes, cream cheese frosting may be frozen. When cream cheese is frozen, it tends to break up somewhat and then return to form. The crumbling impact of the ice cream can be minimized with the addition of specific ingredients in the frosting.
To restore the frozen and thawed cream cheese frosting to its original consistency and flavor, a little effort is needed.
How To Freeze Cream Cheese Frosting?
Make your cream cheese frosting using your preferred method. Place the frosting in a plastic freezer bag, smooth out any excess air, and seal the bag securely. Check for any tears or leaks after sealing the bag to ensure it’s safe to keep.
Write the date of preparation and storage on the freezer bag.
Place the freezer bag of cream cheese frosting flat in the freezer to save space. If you don’t want to portion out a lot of cream frosting and would rather put it in the freezer in one lump, wrap it in plastic wrap for an extra layer of protection
Write the date on the container with a marker.
Related: Can You Freeze Flour Tortillas?
How Long Does Cream Cheese Frosting Last?
Cream cheese frosting is excellent for making cupcakes. It freezes well and has a high-fat content, so it’s ideal for freezing. The creamy cheese icing can last in the freezer for up to 3 months if stored correctly in an airtight container.
After this 3 month period, the frosting will still be edible but the texture and flavor will start to degrade, so use it while you can.
Cream cheese frosting can be kept at room temperature for two hours before being frozen. It’s best to just trash anything left out for longer than that. Cream cheese frosting must be refrigerated, therefore any cake or cupcake with cream cheese icing should also be refrigerated.
You may remove a chilled cake from the refrigerator an hour before serving so it can come to room temperature.
The Danger Zone
Because it contains cream cheese, you must be more attentive to cream cheese frosting storage than with other standard icing recipes. Cream cheese is a soft cheese that does not last as long as hard cheeses on the shelf. As a result, you must be conscious of how to store the cream cheese icing properly.
It should be kept outside of the danger zone, which is 40°F to 140°F. It may promote bacterial growth when exposed to this temperature range, causing the cream cheese frosting to become toxic and spoil faster.
How to Thaw Cream Cheese Frosting?
The easiest method to defrost cream cheese frosting is to leave it in the fridge overnight. This does need some forethought, as you’ll need to take the cream cheese frosting out of the freezer ahead of time.
The thawing process will not harm the texture of the cream cheese frosting at all; instead, it will only loosen it up enough so that it becomes spreadable again.
When cream cheese is frozen, it becomes crumbly and watery.
To restore the frosting to its smooth and creamy texture, you may need to use an electric mixer to beat the frosted cake back into place.
It should be used within 3 days after it has been thawed and kept in the fridge. You should never refreeze cream cheese frosting because doing so will cause it to deteriorate.
This is why it’s critical not to refrigerate cream cheese frosting after making, as bacteria can grow and cause food poisoning.
Not only will this make the cream cheese icing hazardous to eat if there has been an increase in bacterial growth, but it will also significantly decrease the quality of the frosting, leaving it to taste and texture-wise substandard.
How to Tell If Cream Cheese Frosting Has Gone Bad?
The most common way to tell if the cream cheese frosting has gone bad is by its smell. If it smells sour or off, then it’s time to trash it. Another way to tell if the frosting has spoiled is by its appearance.
If the frosting has developed mold, then it’s definitely not safe to eat. If the cream cheese frosting is watery or slimy, that’s another indicator that it has gone bad and should be thrown out.
Last but not least, if the cream cheese frosting tastes sour or strange, it’s a sign that it has turned and should no longer be consumed. When in doubt, it’s always better to err on the side of caution and get rid of the frosting to avoid food poisoning.
How to Freeze Frosted Cakes?
The best approach to preserve cupcakes is to freeze the frosting and the cakes separately, but cream cheese frosted cakes and cupcakes may also be frozen. To do this, either wrap the cake in aluminum foil and cover with plastic wrap, or put it in an airtight freezer container and cover it with plastic wrap.
You can slice the cake ahead of time and wrap individual slices in aluminum foil and plastic wrap, then place these inside a plastic freezer bag to defrost.
This way, you may eat a slice of cake whenever you like without having to thaw the whole lot first, which might go to waste. You can defrost a frosted cake by leaving it in the fridge overnight.
Can You Use Salted Butter in Cream Cheese Frosting?
You may use salted butter in cream cheese icing, but it’s preferable to use unsalted. You won’t have much control over how salty the frosting becomes if you only have salted butter on hand, so use it and whip up the recipe, then add more salt to the frosting after you’ve tested it.
If you only have unsalted butter, then there is no need to add any extra salt to the recipe.
What Is a Good Substitute for Cream Cheese in Frosting?
If you’re looking for a good substitute for cream cheese in the frosting, one option is to use mascarpone cheese. It has a similar texture and flavor to cream cheese, so it will be a good substitute in most recipes.
You can also use ricotta cheese, which has a slightly tangy flavor and creamy texture. Another option is to use sour cream, which will add a bit of tartness to the frosting.
Lastly, you could use Greek yogurt, which has a thicker consistency than sour cream and also imparts a tangy flavor. All of these substitutes will work well in most cream cheese frosting recipes.
What is the Difference Between Icing and Frosting?
Frosting is thicker and fluffier than icing, with a more refined flavor. Icing is ideal for making precise decorations, while frosting is used to cover a cake, add taste, and provide additional moisture.
Can You Add Milk to Cream Cheese Frosting?
If your frosting is overly thick, for example as a result of adding too much-powdered sugar, you may add one or two teaspoons of heavy cream or milk to thin it out somewhat without making it runny.
Conclusion
Cream cheese frosting is excellent for making cupcakes. It freezes well and has a high-fat content, so it’s ideal for freezing. The creamy cheese icing can last in the freezer for up to 3 months if stored correctly in an airtight container.
After this 3 month period, the frosting will still be edible but the texture and flavor will start to degrade, so use it while you can. Cream cheese frosting can be kept at room temperature for two hours before being frozen.
It’s best to just trash anything left out for longer than that. Cream cheese frosting must be refrigerated, therefore any cake or cupcake with cream cheese icing should also be refrigerated.
