Last Updated on April 11, 2023 by Lori Walker
Cheesecake takes a lot of patience to make, and while it is easy to freeze, defrosting frozen cheesecake can be a challenge.
With all the labor of love and hard work, no one wants to ruin a baked cheesecake by improperly defrosting, so we will teach you how to defrost cheesecake properly. Keep reading.
Top 2 Effective Ways to Defrost Cheesecake
1. Defrost Cheesecake in the Fridge Overnight
The best method to defrost a cheesecake is by thawing it in the refrigerator overnight at 36 to 41°F.
You can thaw cheesecake in the fridge for around 8-12 hours or more, depending on the thickness and size of your cheesecake.
“Cheesecake will always taste like love.”
– Shonda Rhimes, Writer
Place your cheesecake on a plate and leave it in the fridge, preferably overnight. You can remove the foil cover but keep the plastic wrap on.
Thawing cheesecake in the fridge will help prevent build-up and sogginess on the cheesecake as the ice crystal slowly melts.
2. Thaw Cheesecake Over the Counter
If you are in a rush and want to shorten the thawing time, you can thaw the cheesecake using the room temperature method for around 2-4 hours.
Remove the foil from the regular cheesecake and place the whole cake on a plate. Leave it over the counter for 2-4 hours or longer, depending on the size of the cheesecake.
You can thaw cheesecake quickly using the room temperature method, but if you are in an absolute rush, get a sharp knife and cut it into slices before letting them sit at room temperature.
Instead of waiting 2-4 hours to completely defrost a cheesecake, you only need to wait an hour for the cheesecake slices to be fully defrosted.
Can you Defrost Cheesecake in the Microwave?
No, it will be best not to defrost cheesecake in the microwave. While microwaves have a defrost setting, they can heat the food unevenly [1] and may ruin your cake.
Also, the toppings can melt, and the excess water can ruin the texture of cheesecakes.
Instead of thawing cheesecake in the microwave, slice up your cheesecake and leave it at room temperature or thaw in the fridge overnight for better results.
How Long Will It Take to Defrost Cheesecake?
Depending on the Size
The cheesecake size is an important factor in the thawing time. Cheesecake slices can be fully thawed quicker than whole cakes.
A whole cheesecake may take 2-4 hours, while multiple layers may take up to 6 hours to defrost at room temperature.
Depending on the Thickness
Thicker and denser cakes take longer to defrost compared to lighter ones.
To make sure that it is fully defrosted regardless of its thickness and density, let it sit in the refrigerator for 8 – 12 hours.
Depending on the Method
Refrigerator Thawing
It will take eight to twelve hours or overnight to defrost a cheesecake evenly. It may take longer to thaw cheesecakes in the refrigerator, but it is guaranteed to be safe and effective.
Room Temperature Thawing
It will take at least two to four hours to completely defrost frozen cheesecakes at room temperature.
It is quicker than refrigerator thawing, but you must do this if you will consume the dessert immediately.
Depending on the Condition
Uncooked Cheesecake
You can defrost cheesecake batter or unbaked cheesecake by using the refrigerator method.
It will help if you will not keep it in a warm area or in a heated location to soften it because it can melt and ruin the texture of your cake.
It will take longer to defrost a freezing cheesecake (uncooked) in the refrigerator, but the temperature will help ice crystals gradually melt.
Cooked Cheesecake
You can defrost a cooked cheesecake as fast as an hour, given that you sliced it and left it at room temperature.
Do not be tempted to defrost it in the microwave because it will ruin the texture of your cake.
How to Defrost Cheesecake That is Unbaked?
An unbaked cheesecake can be defrosted inside a refrigerator overnight. Depending on the size and cheesecake recipe you used, it may take at least 12-24 hours.
Place the unbaked cheesecake on a plate and leave it overnight until the ice crystal slowly melts.
How to Defrost a No-Bake Cheesecake
Freezing no-bake cheesecake for a longer lifespan is a great idea, but defrosting it will take a while.
Please take out the required portion of no-bake cheesecake the night before you want to eat them and place it overnight in the fridge.
Do not defrost your no-bake cheesecake on the countertop because it is prone to bacterial growth [2].
Read: What’s The Difference Between No-Bake & Baked Cheesecake?
How To Defrost a Slice of Cheesecake
After you slice the cake, separate the slices and let them sit at room temperature.
The fastest way to defrost a cheesecake is by slicing it up. When defrosting a cake slice, you can expect it will only take 45 minutes to an hour.
On the other hand, you cannot defrost a slice of unbaked cheesecake at room temperature. You have to thaw it in the refrigerator.
FAQs
How long will frozen cheesecake last?
A frozen cheesecake may last from two to six months. However, make sure that there are no changes in texture before you consume.
But how long should a cheesecake sit out before being refrigerated?
Why do you freeze cheesecake?
People freeze cheesecake because it can make their baked cake richer and dense. It will help reduce the separation of ingredients and help them last longer.
Is it ok to eat frozen cheesecake?
Yes, you can eat frozen cheesecake. However, it has a different consistency because it is tough. We recommend you thaw it first before serving.
How to thaw a cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory?
To thaw a cheesecake from Cheesecake Factory, place it in the fridge for 8-12 hours. Store it in the fridge after thawing and serve not later than 3-5 days after defrosting.
Find out how long the cheesecakes at Cheesecake Factory stay fresh here.
How do you defrost cheesecake quickly?
Slice up the cheesecake so you can defrost it quickly. Leave it at room temperature but consume it immediately after defrosting.
Let’s Sum It Up
Now that you know how to defrost cheesecake, you can be confident putting it in the freezer as needed.
Defrosting a freezing cheesecake may take a while, but you can thaw it in the fridge overnight or leave it on the counter at room temperature for two to four hours.
Please do not use a microwave oven when defrosting a baked or unbaked cheesecake because it may ruin the cake’s texture.
References:
- https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20200714-is-it-safe-to-microwave-food
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28290316/
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