Expiration & Storage Tips
When does honey nut cream cheese expire?
Honey nut cream cheese, similar to regular cream cheese, is perishable and requires refrigeration. Unopened, it typically lasts a week past the printed sell-by date on the package. Once opened, it should be consumed within a week or two at most. If you've frozen the honey nut cream cheese, it can last up to two months in the freezer. However, it's important to remember that the quality may deteriorate in the freezing and thawing process.
How do you tell if honey nut cream cheese is bad?
To determine if your honey nut cream cheese has gone bad, start by considering its appearance, smell, and taste. If the cream cheese develops a dull or darkened color, or grows mold, it's definitely bad and should be discarded. Similarly, if it has a sour smell that's stronger than the typical tanginess of cream cheese, or an off taste, it's best to throw it out. Remember that even if one part of the container exhibits these signs, it's safest to discard the entire thing.
Tips for storing honey nut cream cheese to extend shelf life
• Always store your honey nut cream cheese in the refrigerator, in a closed container or tightly sealed with a plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
• Never leave it out for more than 2 hours, as it increases the risk of bacterial growth.
• If you plan on freezing the cream cheese, do it before its expiration date. Thaw it in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature to prevent bacteria build-up.
• Consider portioning your cream cheese into smaller quantities. That way, you only defrost what you need and prevent the rest from unnecessary exposure to room temperature.