FOOD NEWS
The Amount Of Time Cream Cheese Can Safely Sit At Room Temperature
By Ashlyn Frassinelli
Cream cheese is used in cooking for various dishes, and many recipes ask for the cream cheese to be left out at room temperature to soften. However, don't let it sit out too long.
As a dairy product, cream cheese will go bad if left out for longer than two hours, and in warmer environments, that estimate is even lower.
Dairy products are particularly at risk for foodborne bacteria (such as E. coli and Salmonella) when left out at room temperature, as they serve as a good environment for growth.
If you need to keep your cream cheese out longer, keep a tight lid on it and ensure it's being chilled properly on ice or in a cooler (or better yet, just keep it in a fridge).
Rather than leaving your cream cheese on the countertop to soften it, submerge it in warm water while still in its packaging for five to 10 minutes.
You can also massage a sealed cream cheese block to warm and soften it with your palms or unwrap and zap it in the microwave for 10 to 15-second intervals.