How Long Can Cheesecake Sit Out? Cheesecake is among the most delicious and fulfilling sweets. With all the flavor combinations and unique methods to modify it, there is undoubtedly a cheesecake variant to satisfy the sweet tooth preferences of each individual. Despite their adaptability, the majority of cheesecakes are constructed using the same base components.
Regardless of the type of cheesecake you’re preparing (or purchasing from a local bakery, we’re not judging), you’ll likely require the same basic components. Standard cheesecake ingredients include cream cheese, eggs, and butter. Certain variants even call for whipped cream or sour cream.
How long is cheesecake shelf-stable? The predominantly dairy-based components needed to manufacture the majority of cheesecakes influence the length of time that a cheesecake may safely stay at room temperature. The United States Department of Agriculture states that cheesecakes should not be kept out of the refrigerator for more than two hours.
What causes unrefrigerated cheesecakes and other foods to spoil?
Common cheesecake recipes use two of the most perishable ingredients: milk and eggs. Cheesecake recipes typically call for various dairy-based components. When all that dairy is combined with eggs, this rich and creamy dish can become unappetizing if kept out of the refrigerator for an extended period of time.
This unrefrigerated cheesecake, despite its innocent appearance, is a breeding ground for several nasty germs that may make a person extremely sick. The FDA reports that chilling reduces the development of microorganisms on food. Even after only a few hours outside of the refrigerator, the cheesecake’s dairy and eggs may rapidly generate swarms of harmful germs.
Refrigeration does not completely eradicate bacterial development on foods, but it significantly retards it. Have you ever discovered a forgotten block of cheese at the back of your refrigerator? This is an illustration of how mold and bacteria may still develop on foods in a refrigerated environment, albeit much more slowly than at room temperature.
How Should Cheesecake Be Kept to Prevent the Growth of Bacteria?
To maintain the safety and freshness of your cheesecake, refrigerate it after each person has eaten a slice. If you have just baked a cheesecake, refrigerate it after it has cooled sufficiently. The easiest technique to prevent bacterial development is to return food promptly to the refrigerator.
Eggs and dairy, the two ingredients most likely to cause foodborne illness, must be refrigerated at 40 degrees or less. According to the FDA, this is the standard safe temperature for refrigerators. You can ensure that your refrigerator is properly adjusted by following the adjustment instructions in the user handbook.
In the refrigerator, cheesecake should be stored in a container that can be sealed. If you purchase a cheesecake from a store and are unable to reseal the original packaging after opening it, you should move the remains to a container that will seal entirely for optimal protection.
What Are Some Common Foodborne Illness Symptoms?
If you’re concerned that you may have consumed ruined cheesecake (or another type of food that had been left out for too long), knowing the signs might help you make the most of a bad situation.
Foodborne infections (commonly known as “food poisoning”) can cause a variety of symptoms, including but not limited to the following:
- Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Perspiration
- Abdominal cramps
- Fever
- Body aches
Symptoms of foodborne infections can persist anywhere from one to seven days, and their severity varies from person to person. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have discovered more than 250 distinct foodborne diseases.
Common foodborne diseases including food poisoning are incurable. To aid in your body’s recovery, manage the symptoms and stay hydrated until you feel better.
FAQ:
I consumed cheesecake that had been out of the refrigerator for at least two hours. What am I to do?
Answer: Do not worry. Observe your symptoms to decide whether the unrefrigerated cheesecake will impact you. If it’s been less than two hours, you may be okay. Immediately contact your physician if you have any symptoms of illness.
I must transport a cheesecake. How can I carry it in a temperature-controlled manner?
Answer : Purchase a quality cooler. You will be amazed by how frequently you utilize a strong, well-insulated cooler. In addition to cheesecake, this is an excellent tool for transporting other meals that require appropriate temperatures. They are also ideal companions for beach days, athletic activities, and picnics, in addition to delivering food.
My cheesecake was left out for longer than two hours, but it seemed to be fine. Can I refrigerate and consume it again later?
Answer: This cheesecake should be discarded for safety reasons. If you know (or even think) that a cheesecake was left out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, you should avoid eating the remains lest you contract a serious sickness. After two hours, placing it in the refrigerator is still a gamble.
Are there any dairy-free and/or egg-free cheesecake alternatives?
Answer: Making a cheesecake without dairy and eggs will not only make your vegan or lactose-intolerant guests happy, but it will also make it safer to leave out of the refrigerator. There are several dairy- and egg-free cheesecake recipes available online.
Conclusion
If you know or think that a cheesecake has been out of the refrigerator for more than two hours, discard it. The United States Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warn about the hazards of contracting foodborne diseases from eating unrefrigerated cheesecakes.
Due to the strong dairy and egg-based components, germs can quickly grow on an unrefrigerated cheesecake after more than two hours. While cheesecake is incredibly delicious, eating a potentially ruined slice is a risky proposition. If in doubt, discard the leftovers!