How can anyone not love mascarpone cheese?
It’s creamy, decadent and makes a perfect addition to almost any recipe – savory and sweet alike!
Sauces are made richer and in desserts, mascarpone adds a touch of the divine. Mascarpone is so delicious that it easily stands on its own. Just add a little sugar, whip it and you’ve got the perfect topping for fresh fruit.
Of course, there’s almost no limit to how you can use mascarpone in your favorite recipes but there may be a time when you need to keep it longer than the date shown on the label.
Perhaps you’ve already opened it and need to freeze what’s left or maybe you overbought and are wondering if freezing is even an option.
Whether those are the reasons you’ve wound up here today or not, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about freezing mascarpone starting with the obvious question – can you do it?
The answer is yes, you can freeze mascarpone for up to four months but in order to preserve the maximum amount of flavor, you’ll need to take certain steps and precautions.
The good news we’ve got it all here for you – outlined in simple and easy steps that’ll guarantee your mascarpone will be as fresh as the day you brought it home from the store!
How To Freeze Mascarpone
One of the things that makes mascarpone so desirable is its creamy, smooth texture.
Two factors influence this.
The first is that mascarpone contains higher amounts of fat and the second is that mascarpone is a fresh cheese, which means it’s made to be eaten within a fairly short window.
If unopened, the date it’s best by will be shown on the label and if opened, it’s best eaten within about a week’s time.
Most fresh cheese doesn’t respond well to freezing, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be done.
The goal of freezing should be to preserve the cheese so we can use it later but limit the impact freezing has on the taste and texture of the cheese.
1. Mix (Or Blend) It Thoroughly
As previously mentioned, mascarpone is a high fat, fresh cheese. Because of this, some separation is natural and so the first thing you’ll want to do prior to freezing is to blend or mix it.
Beating it vigorously isn’t necessary since all you need to do is ensure that the mascarpone is smooth and has a consistent texture throughout.
NOTE: If you haven’t opened the container, it’s a good idea to open it and stir since separation is likely to have occurred after the cheese was made.
2. Transfer It to an Airtight Container (Or Several)
It’s not a good idea to reuse the container the mascarpone came in since you won’t be able to get an airtight seal with it. Having the seal airtight is key to ensuring that the mascarpone remains odor free and at less risk of freezer burn.
One thing to consider when selecting the container is how you plan on using the mascarpone in the future.
It’s a good idea to portion it out in ways that ensure you’ll be able to use all of it. Unfortunately, mascarpone doesn’t refreeze very well and so if you freeze too much at once, there’s a chance you’ll wind up having to throw some out.
3. Label the Container(s)
The last thing you’ll want to do is to label the date you sealed the container(s). If you’ll recall, mascarpone will freeze for about four months so by having the date clearly labeled, you can be sure you use it before it expires.
| Factor | How it Affects Mascarpone | How to Address it when Freezing |
|---|---|---|
| Fat Content | Higher amounts of fat contribute to mascarpone’s creamy texture | Mix or blend mascarpone thoroughly to ensure a consistent texture |
| Freshness | Mascarpone is a fresh cheese meant to be eaten within a short window | Stir the mascarpone before freezing if it has not been opened yet, and transfer to an airtight container to limit freezer burn and odor |
| Container | Mascarpone should not be stored in the container it comes in, as it will not provide an airtight seal | Use a new, airtight container and consider portioning the mascarpone based on future use |
| Labeling | Mascarpone can be frozen for up to four months | Label the container with the date it was sealed to ensure it is used before it expires |
How Long Will Mascarpone Keep in the Freezer?
As mentioned earlier, if properly stored, freezing may extend the life of mascarpone by up to four months.
How Do You Defrost Mascarpone Cheese?
When the time comes to use your mascarpone, you’ll want to make certain that you defrost it with care.
The key thing to remember is not to rush the process.
Fresh mascarpone is a delicate cheese and to have any hope of coming close to a similar result after defrosting, you’ll need some patience. Otherwise, the chances are good that you’ll ruin the texture of the cheese.
Common signs that you’ve defrosted mascarpone too quickly include splitting, lumpiness or a grainy texture.
The safest approach is to place the container in the refrigerator for at least twelve hours.
Once enough time has passed, open the container and gently stir the cheese much like you did when prior to placing it in the container. If you’ve done it correctly, the cheese should closely resemble what it looked and tasted like when it was freshly opened.
| Factor | How it Affects Mascarpone | How to Address it when Defrosting |
|---|---|---|
| Freshness | Mascarpone is a delicate cheese that should not be rushed when defrosting | Allow enough time for the cheese to defrost in the refrigerator, at least 12 hours |
| Speed | Defrosting mascarpone too quickly can ruin the texture of the cheese | Do not rush the defrosting process, and instead take the time to allow it to defrost properly in the refrigerator |
| Texture | Signs of improper defrosting include splitting, lumpiness, or a grainy texture | Gently stir the cheese after defrosting, and it should closely resemble its fresh texture and taste. |
How Do You Use Frozen Mascarpone Cheese?
It’s not a good idea to try to use frozen mascarpone.
Instead, once you’ve successfully defrosted it, you can use it like you normally would. There are no special precautions that need to be taken once it’s properly defrosted.
Can You Refreeze Mascarpone?
As discussed earlier, refreezing mascarpone is not a good idea.
It’s highly unlikely that the cheese will withstand a second freezing attempt and if you’ve had it in the freezer for weeks or months prior to defrosting, you’ll be risking spoilage by refreezing it.
Instead, follow the best practices we’ve recommended by proper portion sizing ahead of time. That way, you won’t have any need to refreeze it.
Freezing Foods Made with Mascarpone
Of course, there may be situations where you’ve made a recipe that has mascarpone as one of the main ingredients and you’d like to freeze it for later. Two of the most common (and popular) are mascarpone cheesecake and mascarpone frosting.
Can You Freeze Mascarpone Cheesecake?
Absolutely, you can freeze mascarpone cheesecake. In fact, it’s just like freezing any other cheesecake recipe.
The key steps are:
- Make sure it’s fully cooled. Just allow the cheesecake to reach room temperature so it can set properly. Otherwise, the consistency won’t be right and will be made even worse by freezing it.
- Cut the cheesecake into slices and wrap them in plasticwrap. Ideally, you’d wrap the slices individually so you can enjoy them when you want but if you want to wrap the whole cake, that can be done as well.
- Add a secondary layer of aluminum foil wrapping. This helps to prevent freezer burn and will ensure they’re edible for about a month.
Can You Freeze Mascarpone Frosting?
Yes, mascarpone frosting can be frozen.
Since the ingredients in mascarpone frosting are almost exclusively the cheese itself, simply follow the same steps from earlier in the article which includes taking care to slowly defrost it prior to use!
| Factor | How it Affects Mascarpone | How to Address it when Freezing |
|---|---|---|
| Cheesecake | Freezing mascarpone cheesecake is possible but it must be fully cooled and cut into slices | Allow the cheesecake to cool to room temperature and wrap each slice individually in plastic wrap, then add a secondary layer of aluminum foil wrapping. This helps to prevent freezer burn and will ensure they’re edible for about a month. |
| Frosting | Mascarpone frosting can be frozen | Follow the same steps for defrosting as above, taking care to slowly defrost it prior to use. |
Hi, I’m Jenny. I have many interests and, some would say, eclectic passions. A few words that best describe me? Hmm, well… Amateur surfer, professional traveler, food lover and writer extraordinaire. Oh, and lover of all furry, four-legged creatures!
