Cream cheese should always be served -- and stored -- cold.
Cream cheese is a dairy product that must always be served cold, whether it's used as a spread, a dip or when baked into a dessert, like a cheesecake. The same is true for when you want to stock up on it at home; you need to properly store cream cheese so it doesn't go bad. Keep in mind that it's better to buy the cheese as needed instead of trying to store it. Cream cheese simply does not have a long shelf life.
Room Temperature
Storing cream cheese at room temperature, even when it's in a sealed package, is not an option. Cream cheese is categorized as a "fresh cheese," which means it has a high moisture content and therefore can spoil very quickly. At the most, sealed cheese that's left out at room temperature is only good for a few hours. If it's been sitting in direct sunlight, don't attempt to eat it.
Refrigeration
Refrigeration is a reliable method of storing cream cheese. When kept in a sealed container and stored at a temperature ranging from 37 degrees F to 40 degrees F, cream cheese can keep for up to one month. If you notice any mold that has formed on the cheese, throw all of it away. Ideally, even if it's sealed, cream cheese should be eaten within a week of buying it.
Freezing
Freezing cream cheese isn't recommended because the temperature can change the texture of the cheese and cause it to become crumbly. However, the taste won't be altered. You can freeze it by placing the unopened package in a vacuum-sealed container to prevent freezer burn. To be on the safe side, don't freeze it beyond two months. After you thaw it, put the cheese in a bowl and stir it with a spoon to restore its creamy consistency.
Other Precautions
If the power has gone out in your house for several hours, throw out the , even if it was in the refrigerator. If the cheese has a strange odor, is any color other than white or appears cracked or crumbling, discard it.
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