Mascarpone may be a favorite and most frequently used item in your refrigerator. You might want to find ways to store it in bulk for longer periods. There is an answer to your problem.
Is it possible to freeze mascarpone? Mascarpone cheese can be frozen for up to four months. There is an easy way to defrost and freeze mascarpone cheese to preserve its texture and taste.
This buttery, creamy cheese can be frozen for up to 4 months depending on its quality.
Now that you know that mascarpone can be frozen well, you might be wondering how to store it in your freezer for later. We’re here to help!
We will not only cover the best way to freeze mascarpone but also address other important questions relating to freezing it.
What is Mascarpone?
Mascarpone, an Italian cream cheese, has been a star ingredient in many recipes. This fresh cream cheese is extraordinarily smooth and spreads like butter.
This Italian cheese is slightly sweeter than some other soft cheeses.
We’d like to remind you not to confuse it with American cream cheese. American cream cheese has a lower fat content than Mascarpone, and is more tangy.
Mascarpone can be used in desserts like tiramisu or cheesecakes, as well as in savory and creamy meals.
Mascarpone Freeze
Mascarpone freezes well due to its high fat content and water content.
There are many dishes that contain mascarpone which can be frozen. Tiramisu and pasta sauce with Mascarpone freeze beautifully, as we’ve seen.
There are two ways to freeze mascarpone cheese, just like with all things.
You could end up with cheese that has lost its soft, buttery texture, curdled, crystallized or watered down if you do it wrong.
Here’s how to properly freeze mascarpone.
1. Whist It
If you want to freeze mascarpone then you need to give it a good stir.
Mascarpone can easily split if it’s left to sit for too long due to its high fat content. It is important to give it a stir before freezing.
Tip If your Mascarpone becomes too lumpy, heat it in a double boiler and continue whipping it until it is smooth. Once it has cooled to room temperature, it can be used again.
2. Store in an airtight container
Mascarpone can go bad and crumble if it is exposed to air. It is best to keep mascarpone in an airtight container, or zip freezer bag.
To avoid overfreezing, you can also separate the frozen food into smaller pieces.
Before you seal the cheese, make sure that you have completely removed any air from the containers. If you have one, you can also use a vacuum sealer.
For additional protection against air and freezer burn, you can add aluminum foil.
Also, label your container of Mascarpone with the date it was frozen to ensure you have a reference point to it whenever you need to check that it is still good.
It should last for at least 4 months. However, the sooner you use it, the better.
3. Quick Freeze
To ensure that the bag or container freezes quickly, place it closer to the freezer’s walls. This will prevent ice crystals from forming in your cheese, which can ruin its texture.
This will also preserve the freshness of your mascarpone.
How To Defrost Mascarpone
We have now successfully frozen our Mascarpone. Now, how do we defrost it correctly?
If you need your mascarpone frozen, place it in the refrigerator for 12 hours before using. Although this may seem like a long time, it is important to not speed up the process or your cheese might be damaged.
The mascarpone will likely become lumpy or separated if you speed up the freezing process. It is better to keep mascarpone in the refrigerator overnight.
Once it has defrosted, give the mixture a vigorous stir to get it moving again.
Even if you are careful, it is possible to detect some separation. You can counter this by using a whisk to mix the liquid so it comes back together.
Can you refreeze Mascarpone Cheese?
You’re probably aware that mascarpone can easily separate from fat once it freezes.
Even if you freeze it once, you have to make sure that the creaminess and texture are maintained. Mascarpone is very sensitive to freezing so we advise against refreezing.
A good mixture is all that’s needed to fix the cheese’s texture. If you do not mix well, it will result in a bad texture and consistency.
Freezing food is more likely than freezing it. We recommend that you separate your food into smaller portions and freeze it.
How long can you keep Mascarpone in the Freezer?
Mascarpone can also be frozen for up 4 months to extend its shelf life and be used over the long-term. Be aware that mascarpone will lose some of its flavor and quality with each passing month.
Mascarpone should be consumed as soon as possible to ensure that it stays in its original form.
You can freeze mascarpone in portions if you don’t have enough. You won’t have any worries about your mascarpone cheese going bad because it can’t be frozen again.
