FOOD NEWS
How To Adequately Soften Cream Cheese
By Arianna Endicott
Cold cream cheese can be solid and difficult to incorporate into recipes. You can soften it for smoother results by leaving it on the counter if you time it correctly.
According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, cream cheese can be safely left out for two hours — one hour if the temperature is above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cream cheese usually softens within 30 minutes to an hour on the counter. A tub can be left unopened, while a block should be removed from the box and left in the foil wrapper.
You can also cut up the cream cheese on a plate and cover it with plastic wrap. To quickly soften a block, fill a bowl with warm water (not too hot to avoid curdling the cheese).
Make sure the wrapper is still sealed to prevent water from getting in, and submerge the block in the water for 10 to 15 minutes, turning it periodically.
If your block of cream cheese is still wrapped, you can massage it and use the warmth of your hands to soften it in about 10 minutes.