Can You Freeze Cheesecake to Keep It Fresh?

Is there anything better than enjoying a fresh, creamy cheesecake? It’s rich, velvety and so decadent. The only problem? What to do with the leftovers because they won’t keep forever in the fridge. The solution: freeze the cheesecake.

Can you freeze cheesecake?

You can absolutely freeze cheesecake! Most cheesecake recipes taste even better the next day and will keep well in the freezer for months.

Cheesecake can be frozen whole or cut up into slices. If you’re saving it for a party, freeze it whole for an effortlessly beautiful dessert just in time for guests to arrive. Freezing the entire thing for yourself? No judgment here—go ahead and freeze in individual slices for even easier snacking.

How to Freeze Cheesecake

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Step 1: Allow to cool completely

It can be tempting to take your cheesecake out of the oven and place it directly in the freezer to save a few steps. However, it won’t set correctly and the final consistency will be off.

After baking, allow your cheesecake to cool at room temperature. Then place it in the refrigerator until it’s set.

Step 2: Slice and wrap

Once your cheesecake is fully chilled, it’s time to prepare it for freezing. If you’re freezing individual slices, slice the cheesecake with a hot knife (more cheesecake tips here) and wrap each piece tightly with plastic wrap. If you’re freezing the entire cake, place it on a dish or cardboard round before covering in plastic wrap.

Step 3: Wrap with foil

Once the cake or slices are wrapped in plastic wrap, wrap them again in foil. Repeat until all of the slices are tightly wrapped. Freeze for up to one month.

When you’re ready to eat, allow the cheesecake to thaw at room temperature for about two to four hours or in the refrigerator overnight. Once thawed, add any toppings you’d like.

How to Defrost Frozen Cheesecake

The best way to thaw a whole frozen cheesecake (like this traditional cheesecake) is to leave it in the refrigerator overnight. Exactly how long it takes a cheesecake to thaw depends on the size and thickness. Defrosting cheesecake in the refrigerator is safer than leaving it to thaw on the counter, where it could attract bacteria or pests.

The refrigerator is still your safest bet when thawing an individual piece of cheesecake, but if you’re in a rush, you can leave it out on the counter. The exact thawing time will vary on the size of the slice and how warm your room is. You can also microwave frozen slices of cheesecake in 30 second increments until they’re no longer icy in the center.

Tips for Freezing Cheesecake

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Does freezing cheesecake change the taste?

When well-wrapped and properly stored, freezing cheesecake shouldn’t change the taste. However, freezing can affect the texture, especially if it’s made with ricotta or another cheese besides cream cheese.

How long does cheesecake last in the freezer?

As far as food safety is concerned, cheesecake can last from six to eight months provided that it’s properly wrapped. How it will fare quality-wise is another question. Try to finish up your stash of frozen cheesecake within six weeks; after that, there can be noticable changes in texture.

Can you freeze a cheesecake with toppings?

If you’re baking an ornate cheesecake ahead of when you’ll need it (like this chocolate peanut butter cheesecake) freeze it without any toppings. Then add the toppings after the cheesecake has been thawed.

Freezing food can have its struggles and if your cheesecake is already covered in toppings, it’s still fine to freeze—it will just be a bit messier. For best results, cut the cheesecake into slices and freeze each invididually. To make the storage process slightly neater, freeze the cheesecake uncovered for at least an hour before slicing into pieces.