Last Updated on March 29, 2022 by Griselda M.
We are often asked, “Can you freeze cheesecake slices?” Oh, yes you can, but there are side effects that you’ll have to take into consideration.
Freezing cheesecakes slices have many benefits to them. And, it is an excellent way to prevent food wastage. However, freezing affects the texture and flavor of the slices. Today, we will look at how much it changes cheesecake and if it’s worth it!
Can You Freeze Cheesecake Slices?
Today, we are jumping right into it! Can you freeze cheesecake slices? In short, yes. But, it’s a little more complicated than that.
There are two types of cheesecakes – baked cheesecake and no-bake cheesecake. Both of these pretty much contain the same ingredients. The main significant difference (in ingredients) is that baked cheesecakes also include eggs in their recipes.
Another change between these two is that a no-bake cheesecake is simply mixed, molded, and allowed to set inside of the fridge. A baked cheesecake on the other hand is allowed to bake, then very slowly cooled, and finally set inside of a fridge.
The ultimate differences between these two cheesecakes will have an effect on how they freeze, how the freezing affects them, and ultimately, how they will change once thawed. So, the real question isn’t “Can you freeze cheesecake slices?” but rather whether or not you should!
How does freezing affect the cheesecake? – Can you freeze cheesecake slices?
To understand how freezing will affect your food, it is important to understand how it works. When you freeze an item, the moisture inside solidifies and ice crystals start to form.
These sharp crystals then start piercing through the structural bonds of the item and essentially breaks them apart. Then, once your item is being thawed or defrosted, the crystals melt, leaving only the broken bonds.
This has a couple of impacts. First, it causes the structure of the item to become weak. This can then lead to the item changing texture or consistency.
Furthermore, it allows any extra moisture in the item to leech out. This causes it to lose flavor and also texture. When your item has lost too much moisture, it can become crumbly, dry, and bland.
These are all the worst-case scenarios. But, by using the proper freezing and storage techniques, you could avoid most of these potential effects. Or at the very least, prevent how severe the effects are.
At the end of the day, no matter how well you freeze your cheesecake or cheesecake slices, they will never be the same as compared to fresh ones.
How To Freeze Cheesecake?
Below, we have created a step-by-step guide to freezing cheesecake slices. This technique can also work for whole cheesecakes.
Step 1: Allow the cheesecake to cool and set
This may seem like an obvious step, but you would be surprised to learn how many people start freezing their cheesecake before it has properly cooled or set.
Once your cheesecake has been baked, allow it to cool for 1 hour inside a cooling oven. Then, allow it to cool at room temperature for another hour. Finally, wrap the entire cake and allow it to set in the fridge overnight.
Then, when you are ready to store your cheesecake, remove it from the pan and slice it. Naturally, none of the above-mentioned steps matter if you want to store leftover cheesecake that was already set.
Step 2: Wrap the slices
Next, you can start wrapping the slices individually. Use plastic or saran wrap. Don’t wrap each slice so tightly that it becomes disfigured. However, you will definitely have to wrap them tightly enough that no oxygen will enter (this also includes odors).
Step 3: Wrap the slices in aluminum foil
Many people skip this step but we highly recommend it! It gives your slice an added layer of protection against freezer burn.
You only have to use one layer of foil. It will be more than enough.
Step 4: Label your slice
Especially if you freeze a lot of goodies and if you are planning on storing the slices for a couple of weeks, it is essential that you properly label them.
We like to include information such as the name of the item (including flavor if you have different ones in the freezer), the date it was baked or frozen, and the estimated use-by date.
Step 5: Freeze your cheesecake slices
Finally, once each slice has been individually wrapped and labeled, you can place them inside the freezer to freeze. First, only place them in a single layer.
Once they are completely frozen, you can stack them or place them inside an airtight container.
Benefits Of Freezing Cheesecake – Can You Freeze Cheesecake Slices?
The biggest benefit of freezing cheesecake, especially if it is leftover cheesecake, is that you are extending its shelf life. Fresh cheesecake will only last between 3-7 days on the fridge. but, by freezing it, it will still be pretty good after a month, potentially longer!
Furthermore, it makes dessert prep a breeze. Considering cheesecake usually takes immensely long to make, you can make it when you have time and simply freeze the slices when you are ready to serve them.
And, freezing slice instead of an entire cake means you can defrost one portion at a time without having to later finish the entire thawed cake in one sitting.
Downsides of freezing cheesecake
The biggest downside to freezing cheesecake and cheesecake slices is that it does affect the texture and flavor of the cheesecake. Again, no matter how well you freeze them and store them, they will never be the same as fresh cheesecake slices.
At the very least, a thawed cheesecake won’t have a very firm texture and prominent flavor.
However, the extended shelf life still (in our opinion) sometimes makes up for a little loss in texture and flavor. It’s always better than throwing away food!
Can You Freeze Cheesecake Slices? – Our Take Away
So, can you freeze cheesecake slices? Our takeaway is that you definitely can freeze them and it prevents food wastage. But, it will affect the texture and flavor of the food once it has been thawed.
At the end of the day, we recommend only freezing leftover cheesecake. Let us know what you think about frozen cheesecake in the comments below!
FAQs
Why shouldn’t you freeze cheesecake?
Freezing cheesecake does change the texture of a cheesecake and makes it less firm and spongy. It can also create a dense and crumbly texture. Furthermore, during the freezing and thawing process, it can potentially lead to loss of flavor.
Does freezing cheesecake change the texture?
Freezing cheesecake definitely changes the texture of the cheesecake. once the ice crystals melts, the structure of the cheesecake is compromised. This can lead to mushy cheesecake, crumbly textures, dry and bland mouth feels, and even soft and un-firm consistencies.
Can you freeze homemade cheesecake?
You can freeze both homemade and store-bought cheesecakes. It doesn't even matter whether they have been baked or not. All cheesecakes and cheesecake flavors can be frozen. They may just be affected in slightly different ways.
Does cheesecake freeze well?
Cheesecake doesn't freeze very well. if you compare it to other baked goods that are often frozen (like regular cake), it is changes a lot more because of the ingredients used. Cheesecakes are mainly made from dairy products and eggs, neither of which freezes well.
Lindy Van Schalkwyk is a culinary specialist with a background in Advanced Cooking, Advanced Pâtisserie, Media Communications and Nutrition. She has gained invaluable experience in the culinary industry having worked in some of the top restaurants in Africa in 2016 and 2017. Her expertise in nutrition has enabled her to develop recipes for special dietary needs. In 2018, Lindy began working in the Food Media industry, focusing on recipe development, recipe writing, food writing and food styling.
