How To Soften Cream Cheese Quickly

Have a recipe that needs softened cream cheese but you’re short on time? Learn How To Soften Cream Cheese Quickly so that you can get back to baking in no time. Theres a few ways to do it, and for one you don’t even need a microwave!

Cream cheese is a delicious addition to both savory and baked goods. It adds a rich, creamy texture to cakes and muffins and a tangy flavor to dips, spreads, and sauces. But most of the time, in these recipes, the cream cheese must be softened an hour beforehand to make the recipe properly.

This is not always possible because we’re all busy! As a trained pastry chef, I love using time-saving tricks and tips for when you don’t have time to wait for things to come to room temperature.

Sometimes I want to (NEED to) make cream cheese frosting, brownies with cream cheese frosting, chocolate cream cheese frosting, or even a caramel cheesecake and don’t have an extra hour to spare. 

Luckily, you can soften not only cream cheese but also soften butter quickly when you’re in a time crunch in these fast and easy ways!

What is Softened Cream Cheese?

Softened cream cheese means that the cream cheese was brought to room temperature and is no longer as cold as it was being used straight from the fridge. A lot of recipes call for room temperature cream cheese which would mean you would have to leave the cream cheese out for at least an hour to warm up to room temperature.

With the tips below, you can soften cream cheese in just 15 seconds!

Why does it need to be soft?

Softened cream cheese works best when it’s soft because it will cream much better into the batter of baked goods, or melt easier into savory recipes.

For example if you want to make a cheesecake, you need softened cream cheese because if cold cream cheese is used it wont blend smoothly and will leave lumps in the batter.

Room temperature Cream Cheese

Room temperature cream cheese is at a temperature of around 70°F. It should still feel slightly cold to the touch but would allow for an indentation when you press it with your finger or a spoon.

It should NOT be melted, or feel slimy, or allow your finger to press all the way through. At that point the cream cheese is more on the melted side and could use a minute or two in the fridge to firm up a little.

If you used melted cream cheese in your recipe, the results could be different than from what you’re expecting.

How To Soften Cream Cheese In The Microwave

1. Unwrap the cream cheese: The first step is incredibly easy: unwrap the cream cheese. Place it on a microwave-safe plate and only one at a time.
2. Microwave for 15 seconds: Set the timer for fifteen seconds and start the microwave.
3. Add time if needed: If the cream cheese is not fully softened, microwave again for 8 seconds. If it’s microwaved any longer, it will melt too much!

Softening Cream Cheese With Warm Water (No Microwave)

1. Prepare a bowl: Add warm, not hot, water to a large bowl enough to fit the cream cheese.
2. Add the cream cheese: Keep it wrapped in the wrapper and place it in the bowl for 10 minutes.
3. Flip the cream cheese: Once the 10 minutes is up, flip the cream cheese to soften the other side until the cream cheese is fully ready.

How To Soften Cream Cheese Quickly At Room Temperature

1. Remove from the wrapper: Carefully unwrap the cream cheese.
2. Cut into cubes: Cut the cream cheese into small cubes using a knife.
3. Wait 20 minutes: Let the cream cheese sit out for 20 minutes.

Expert Baking tips

• Store desserts made with cream cheese in the fridge unless the recipe card says otherwise.
• Follow the recipe you are using exactly to get the results you want.
• To soften eggs quickly you can place them in a bowl of warm water and wait 5 minutes.

FAQ

How long can cream cheese stay at room temperature?

Cream cheese should stay at room temperature for no longer than 2 hours for it to stay safe from bacteria. After that, it’s best to refrigerate or freeze the cream cheese.

Can you leave cream cheese out overnight to soften it?

No, cream cheese contains a high percentage of fat and water, which can quickly become a breeding ground for bacteria if left out at room temperature for too long. It’s best to refrigerate or freeze the cream cheese after two hours.

How long does it take for cream cheese to soften?

This depends on the method you use to soften the cream cheese. For example, in the microwave, it takes 15 seconds; with warm water, it takes 10 minutes; and at room temperature, it takes 20 minutes. Just left alone in the wrapper at room temperature, cream cheese will take about 1 hour to soften.

Now that you know how to quickly and easily soften cream cheese, you can get back to baking in no time! Just remember, always start with room temperature ingredients when baking for the best results. Enjoy making all sorts of delicious recipes with your perfectly softened cream cheese!

Recipes using cream cheese

• Strawberry cream cheese frosting
• Lemon cream cheese frosting
• Cream cheese frosting without butter
• Red Velvet Bundt Cake
• Cream Cheese Brownies