Perishable Dairy

• Cream cheese is a dairy product made from whole milk. Whether you use it as a cake filling, frosting or decorative accent, proper storage rules apply. All dairy products are perishable and become a breeding ground for harmful bacteria if not stored at recommended temperatures. The ideal storage temperature for cream cheese is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, according to Beth Calder, extension food science specialist at the University of Maine. Unless you leave cream cheese overnight in a cool space, it is unsafe to eat.

Danger Zone

• Not only is it imperative that you do not leave a cream cheese decorated cake out overnight, if left unrefrigerated for more than a few hours, the cream cheese becomes inedible. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services website, cream cheese becomes unsafe to eat if left in temperatures of 40 degrees Fahrenheit or above for two hours or more. You must discard your delectable dessert if left on the counter after this interval, or if left longer than one hour in temperatures of 90 degrees F or above.

Wrap It

• If your cream cheese decorated cake is in a cake keeper on the counter, pop the container in the refrigerator as soon as possible after eating. If you do not have a cake keeper, place an inverted bowl over the cake before refrigerator storage, the 4-H program at Purdue University suggests. Another option is to wrap the cream cheese decorated cake loosely in plastic wrap, aluminum foil or waxed paper before placing it in the refrigerator, where it will keep for up to two weeks.

The Deep Freeze

• Freezing a cream cheese decorated cake is a good alternative to leaving it out overnight, especially if you do not think you will be eating it right away. Place the cake in a cardboard cake box to ensure that it keeps its shape during freezer storage. Slip the cake box in a large freezer bag or wrap it in foil to maintain quality. When you are ready to eat the cake, transfer it from freezer to fridge to thaw overnight. A frozen cream cheese decorated keep keeps in the freezer for approximately one month.