Rich and creamy, with balanced sweetness and savory notes, cheesecake is an unstoppable dessert. In our house, cheesecake is sacred. Before you eat the last piece, you better let someone know.
It gets so serious because cheesecake is everyone’s favorite dessert. My partner would eat an entire cheesecake every day if his waste could handle it.
When I make a cheesecake, he always freezes a few pieces because he is the only one who absolutely loves to eat it frozen. He says it tastes like the best ice cream he’s ever had.
However, we generally avoid freezing our cheesecakes with a fruit topping. Even though freezing a cheesecake with a fruit topping might turn out fine, you’ll need to consider a few things before going for it.
Generally, freezing cheesecake with a fruit topping can work out great. However, it is important to consider that fresh fruit does not freeze well.
To avoid the issues that arise when thawing fresh fruit, it is suggested that you do one of the following to preserve the flavor: remove the fresh fruit, create a fruit-based sauce, or add more fresh fruit once the cheesecake is thawed.
Doing one of these things before freezing cheesecake with a fruit topping will allow for the most enjoyable cheesecake experience. Oftentimes, store-bought cheesecake with a fruit topping will freeze beautifully because it uses preservatives that allow the fruit to freeze and thaw well.
Putting Cheesecake In The Freezer: How It Affects Taste
The Good News
Putting your cheesecake in the freezer, in most situations, will not negatively affect taste whatsoever.
The rich, creamy, and slightly savory flavor holds up throughout the cooling, freezing, and defrosting process.
Likewise, the most important part of cheesecake, consistency stays perfect after freezing and thawing your dessert.
You will be able to enjoy cheesecake that was frozen to such a degree that you may not even know it was frozen.
The Not So Good News
When it comes to cheesecake with fruit toppings, flavor and consistency might be altered through the freezing process. Freezing cheesecake with a fruit topping might affect the taste in a few ways.
First, when fresh fruit freezes and thaws, it usually loses its luster. Its consistency becomes wilted, mushy, and soggy.
It falls apart in your mouth and tastes slightly grainy. Additionally, freezing cheesecake with a fruit topping still on it can change the consistency of your cheesecake.
It might make the cake soggier and will meld the flavors of the watery fruit into the cheesecake as it thaws. However, there are some common cheesecake toppings that do hold up well in the freezer.
What is the Best Way to Freeze Cheesecake?
If you choose to freeze your cheesecake, let it cool first before placing in the freezer. Once it has cooled down, wrap cheesecake in plastic wrap to protect it from the frost, then wrap again with foil for double protection.
Freezing Cheesecake Toppings
Can You Freeze Cheesecake With A Topping?
The short answer is yes, you can. However, there are certain types of toppings that you may want to avoid freezing to preserve the consistency and flavor of the cheesecake and the topping.
Below are a few common cheesecake toppings and information on it they can be frozen or not.
Can I Freeze Cheesecake With Chocolate Sauce?
Both plain cheesecake and chocolate sauce freezes very well. However, consider freezing them separately.
We suggest this because sometimes if chocolate sauce it’s stored properly, it may become thin.
As the cheesecake with chocolate topping thaws, the sauce might meld into the cheesecake changing its consistency.
When freezing the two separately, you can slowly defrost the chocolate sauce and add any ingredients to revive its consistency. Then, simply add the revived chocolate sauce to your cheesecake.
Can I Freeze Cheesecake With Sour Cream Topping?
You can freeze cheesecake with a sour cream topping but you’ll need to consider a few things. First, your sour cream topping can absolutely thaw and become separated.
This will affect both the taste and consistency of your cheesecake. However, many store-bought cheesecakes have preservatives and additives which allow for freezing your cheesecake with sour cream topping.
Can You Freeze Cheesecake With Cherry/Fruit Topping?
Yes, you can! However, it’s suggested that you do not freeze fresh fruit so, be sure to remove any fresh fruit from your cheesecake before freezing.
If you made a fruit-based sauce that has very small chunks of fruit, you might consider freezing it.
Still, be aware of how thawed fruit affects taste, but most likely it will hold up great. If you’re using a jam or another type of preserved fruit, this is excellent to freeze with your cheesecake.
Can You Freeze Strawberry Cheesecake?
The most popular type of cheesecake is strawberry cheesecake. Freezing will generally yield positive results but you need to avoid freezing fresh strawberries.
Some strawberry cheesecakes call for fresh strawberries while others have a strawberry flavored sauce.
Do not freeze cheesecake with fruit toppings that are fresh but you can freeze cheesecake with a fruit topping that is preserved, like jam or a sauce.
How To Freeze Cheesecake With A Fruit Topping?
Freezing cheesecake with fruit toppings might come with a lot of nuances but as long as you stick to these guidelines, you won’t be disappointed.
Cool
It is important to cool your cheesecake completely before freezing. Cooling the cheesecake allows for the cheesecake to set.
If you do not allow it to set before freezing, you may end up with a mess when you’re ready to defrost your cheesecake. Always allow the cheesecake with a fruit topping to set and cool before freezing.
Remove Toppings
You’ve made a delicious cheesecake with a fruit topping, like fresh strawberries, for a dinner party.
Once all the guests have left, you wonder if you should remove those strawberries before freezing your cheesecake.
The answer is yes, you sure. Always remove any fresh fruit from your cheesecake before freezing. Sometimes you can freeze cheesecake with a fruit topping that is a sauce.
Oftentimes these sauces preserve the flavor of the fruit without having any actual fruit in it. Although it’s not as delicious as fresh fruit, it will hold up well when freezing.
If you don’t have your fruit topping in sauce form, we suggest you simply add more fresh fruit after thawing your cheesecake.
Doing this will allow your cheesecake with fruit topping to taste just as good as it did before it was frozen.
Storage
It is best to store your cheesecake with fruit topping in an airtight container wrapped in plastic wrap.
The added layer of plastic wrap will help to avoid any residual air turning into a freezer burn.
Freezer burn will ruin your cheesecake with fruit topping, so always use plastic wrap on the outside of your frozen cheesecake.
Shelf Life
Your frozen cheesecake with fruit topping will last in the freezer for up to a month. However, I once froze a cheesecake for 6 months and it still tasted great upon thawing.
The consistency was definitely different and it was obvious the cheesecake wasn’t freshly made.
Nonetheless, we all ate and enjoyed it. For best results, try to eat your frozen cheesecake with fruit topping before it has been in the freezer for a month. It will be safe to eat for a month, but you may not enjoy it as much.
Can I Freeze Cheesecake in a Plastic Container?
Cheesecake freezes best when it is wrapped in plastic wrap and foil. Cheesecake by itself in a plastic container may not freeze well, but wrapping it first and then placing in a container will protect the cheesecake from elements of the freezer.
You can also place the wrapped cheesecake in a large zip lock baggie for extra protection.
How Do I Defrost Cheesecake?
Ready to unthaw your cheesecake? Frozen cheesecakes can be placed in the fridge overnight or for 8 to 12 to unthaw prior to serving. For quicker unthawing, place on the counter for 4 to 5 hours.
The good news is, if you have a single slice of cheesecake to eat, you can place it in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time until unthawed.
How To Defrost A Cheesecake With A Fruit Topping?
When you’re ready to enjoy the frozen cheesecake with fruit topping, you will simply transfer the frozen cheesecake from the freezer into the refrigerator. You’ll want to allow it to thaw overnight for the best flavor and consistency.
Once the cheesecake is thawed, you can either add your fruit sauce topping or cut-up fresh fruit to add to your thawed cheesecake.
How To Refreeze Cheesecake With A Fruit Topping
For best results, avoid thawing and refreezing cheesecake with fruit topping. This can create a situation where your cheesecake’s texture gets grainy and it starts to fall apart.
That once solid block of tastiness might become broken up. This won’t be the most enjoyable experience but it is absolutely safe to refreeze your cheesecake.
However, never leave a cheesecake with fruit topping out at room temperature for more than an hour or so.
After a certain amount of time at room temperature, your cheesecake with fruit topping might begin to grow bacteria.
Usually, the process of freezing will kill most bacteria but it’s better to be safe. Store thawed cheesecake with fruit topping in the fridge.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Freeze A Slice Of Cheesecake?
Yes, you can and sometimes this is the best option for freezing cheesecake with fruit topping. You’ll need to remove any fresh fruit from the top of the cheesecake.
Then you’ll wrap the cheesecake in plastic wrap or store it in a freezer-safe container that is wrapped in plastic wrap.
Finally, simply thaw in the refrigerator overnight, add any fresh fruit topping you desire, and enjoy.
Can You Freeze Mini Cheesecake With Fruit Topping?
Much like freezing a slice of cheesecake, you can freeze mini cheesecakes with a fruit topping.
Follow the guidelines for freezing a slice of cheesecake but be sure to remove any fresh fruit from your cheesecake before freezing.
Final Thoughts
It might be easier to freeze cheesecake with a fruit topping already on the cake. However, this might lead to significant changes in the texture of both the cheesecake and the fruit. It is recommended to remove fruit toppings from cheesecake before freezing.
One way you can avoid the issues that arise when freezing fresh fruit is to substitute the fruit topping for jam or a fruit sauce. These sauces freeze much better and still provide a similar flavor profile.
However, if you don’t want to use either jam or fruit sauce, you can always add more fresh fruit once your cheesecake has thawed.
My name is Keren Tayler. I am a stay-at-home mama to three lovely girls, Sarah + Rachel + Hannah. Prior to becoming a mom, I had a successful career in the accounting field, steps away from becoming a CPA. I decided to give up on my career in order to raise my own kids (as opposed to letting a nanny do it, no judgment here :)) I learned a lot and I love sharing it with other moms. Along the way, I also became a Certified Food Handler.