How long should cheesecake cool before going in the fridge? If you are asking the same question, then this post is for you. I will share with you some important facts and techniques for cheesecakes.
Needless to say that cheesecake is one of the most delicious desserts you can offer or enjoy during a meal. But if you are new to making cheesecakes, you will end up asking questions.
Although making cheesecake is simple, there are many things you need to take into consideration especially in the storing process. One of which is the correct steps in refrigerating cheesecake. There are things that you can and cannot do with this dessert.
So, how long should cheesecake cool before going in the fridge? You can rest the newly baked cheesecake on the counter for an hour or two. This allows the cheesecake to cool completely before going into the fridge.
There is a crucial reason why you want to do that. First, when it is refrigerated hot, the condensation process will result in water formation inside which will drop onto the cake. Trust me, you won’t like it.
The second reason is that freezing hot perishables in the fridge increases the temperature inside faster than its cooling capacity. This is not good for the perishables and the fridge.
It is always a good practice to allow the cheesecake to completely cool before putting it in the fridge.
How to Cool a Cheesecake?
There is no single rigid rule on how to cool a cheesecake before placing it in the fridge. The best and the most convenient I found though is doing it on a wire rack.
What you can do is to place the cheesecake pan on the wire rack and let it cool for one to two hours. Make sure that you don’t forget it. Remember that perishable foods are vulnerable to bacterial growth when exposed to room temperature for too long.
Once the cheesecake is completely cool, wrap it with a clean plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. You can fridge cheesecake for 24 hours and then serve. Storing cheesecake in the refrigerator will give an extra flavor boost.
Can I Put Warm Cheesecake in the Fridge?
I have already mentioned this at the beginning of this post. But since I get this question pretty regularly, I think that it deserves a special section of this post.
Well, the answer is no. You should not put warm cheesecake directly into the fridge. It should be allowed to come to room temperature after baking before it will be placed in the refrigerator.
Placing the hot cheesecake in the fridge will be more detrimental to the refrigerator than to the cake as the inside temperature raises.
However, the high temperature of the cheesecake will also cause moist and even water droplets on the cake. This is will in turn sabotage the overall feature and taste of the cheesecake.
The best way to go is to completely cool the cheesecake before placing it in the fridge.
Is It Okay to Leave Cheesecake Out Overnight?
No, cheese is like other perishables that should be left out overnight unless you don’t want to eat it later. You can leave it on the counter for up to six hours but not more than that.
Personally, I do not leave perishable foods that long. Experts also do advise that foods of this kind should not be left at room temperature for more than two hours.
The reason behind this is that the bacteria can grow pretty quickly in foods at room temperature. So if you leave cheesecake overnight, it will not be edible the next morning. It is not worth of the risk trying to save it.
How Long Can Cheesecake Sit Out After Baking?
You can leave the newly baked cheesecake on the counter for four hours. Some people do it in six hours. In my case though, one to two hours is enough. The shorter the time is better to keep the cake safe from any potential pathogens.
There is no one exact rule as to how long the cheesecake should sit out after baking. Just make sure that it is completely cool and you are good to go. The most important thing to remember is to never put the hot cheesecake straight into the fridge.
How to Chill Cheesecake in the Freezer?
Chilling the cheesecake in the freezer helps you enjoy it shortly. This is the best strategy if you don’t have enough time to cool it. However, there are things to consider here.
Before placing the cheesecake in the freezer, make sure that it has come to room temperature.
Then, wrap the cake with plastic wrap. Make sure that the wrap clings directly to the cake to keep it safe from freezer burn.
Once it is prepared correctly, place the wrapped cheesecake in the freezer for about one hour. After that, you can serve the cake and enjoy it.
Final Thoughts
A newly baked cheesecake is hot. If you put it directly into the fridge, it will cause problems to the fridge and to the cheesecake itself. I already have mentioned the possible results above.
The best thing to do instead is to let the cheesecake cool for about one to two hours before refrigerating it. This will help maintain the quality of the cake.
However, cheesecake should not be left out for too long. Remember that the bacteria can grow rapidly in perishable foods at room temperature.
Although some people recommend that the newly baked cheesecake can stay on the counter for up to six hours, I do not recommend it. One to two hours can be enough for the cheesecake to completely cool.
But I leave the decision to you. Taste preference is also a big factor when it comes to preparing and storing foods.
I hope this helps you store your cheesecake safely.