Easy Cherry Cream Cheese Bars - easy and delicious dessert recipe (2024)

FAQs

What can I do with half a block of cream cheese? ›

It's a good source of vitamin A and doesn't provide much lactose. However, it's low in protein and high in fat and calories, so it's best to use it in moderation. Notably, versions like whipped cream cheese are lower in fat and calories.

Chopped dried cranberries lend a sweet tang, fresh orange zest adds citrusy notes, and chopped toasted walnuts provide the crunch when mixed into cream cheese.

Some popular options for pairing with cream cheese include crackers, bagels, fruit (such as berries or grapes), vegetables (such as cucumbers or bell peppers), smoked salmon, and nuts. Additionally, cream cheese can be used as an ingredient in various recipes, such as dips, spreads, and baked goods.

It makes icebox pie fillings smooth, cake frostings and drizzles creamy, and baked goods more tender. Whether you're stirring up a batch of brownies or frosting a three-layer red velvet cake, cream cheese is ready to come to the rescue.

Cream cheese is “set” or hardened by acid produced in the cream. Since it firms more with time, it gradually “squeezes” liquid out of it. Not water but a mix of water, salt, natural acid etc. This happens in all cc, sooner or later.

Microbial action: Cream cheese production involves the addition of lactic acid bacteria, which can react with other components of the cheese and cause it to turn pink. If this is the case, the cheese can still be safely consumed.

That's why you might see a little whey liquid in the packaging. Whey is simply your quality assurance for a fresh cream cheese made from only natural ingredients and without any stabilizers! You can either mix the whey back into the cream cheese – or strain it and use it in cooking or baking.

The experts at Philadelphia Cream Cheese recommend using cream cheese by the "best by" date on the package. After opening, cream cheese will last up to 10 days in the fridge or by the "best by" date. Store opened cream cheese in an airtight container.

Is it okay to freeze cream cheese? ›

While cream cheese may not last long in the fridge, you can freeze it for up to two months. To use frozen cream cheese, thaw it in the fridge overnight or defrost it in the microwave. Previously frozen cream cheese will still have the same flavor as its refrigerated counterpart, but its texture may be grainy.

a box of cream cheese, some time called a block of it, is 8 ounces. oz means ounces, strangely enough. 8 ounces is, generally 1 cup.

According to the USDA, refrigerated cream cheese is safe to eat for up to two weeks after opening. However, it will retain its flavor and quality for just a week to 10 days. The flavor will noticeably degrade after this point, as it starts to lose its sweet tanginess and takes on a dull taste, instead.