Cream cheese is, quite literally, a building block in myriad recipes. Without it, the world would be void of some of our favorite casseroles, dips, desserts, and easy appetizers. Cream cheese substitutes, however, are not impossible to find or create if you're out of it or can't find it at the grocery store. All is not lost. Read on for the best cream cheese substitutes and how to make your own cream cheese from scratch.
Cream Cheese Substitutes:
1. Sour Cream
Sour cream replicates cream cheese's taste but isn't quite as caloric, making it a good choice for a lower-calorie substitute. It gives baked goods a texture that's airy and moist, and even adds an extra bit of creaminess to cheesecake. You can substitute an equal amount of sour cream for cream cheese in recipes.
2. Greek Yogurt
In addition to sharing cream cheese's signature tangy notes, Greek yogurt is rich in nutrients such as protein, calcium, and Vitamin B12. You can also easily adjust the richness of your dish based on which variety of Greek yogurt you use. For example, full-fat or even 10-percent-fat yogurt will provide a creamier texture than nonfat. Use a 1:1 ratio when substituting in Greek yogurt.
Taste-wise, Neufchâtel is the closest you're going to get to cream cheese. The soft and slightly crumbly cheese originated in Normandy, France, but it's also produced in the U.S.
Traditional Neufchâtel is made with cream, but American Neufchâtel is made using milk, which gives it a fat content that's 1/3 lower than cream cheese's. Simply use a 1:1 ratio when substituting in the Neufchâtel.
4. Mascarpone
Mascarpone, an Italian cheese made from heavy cream and citric or tartaric acid, has a similar taste and texture to cream cheese. It's slightly sweeter and contains about twice the amount of fat, but aside from that, the two spreadable cheeses are pretty much interchangeable. Use the same amount of mascarpone that you would for cream cheese.
If you're looking for a vegan cream cheese substitute, silken tofu holds up well and doesn't alter your food's flavor. Silken tofu is already popular in vegan recipes, especially dairy-free cheesecakes and custardy desserts like pumpkin pies.
6. Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is lower in fat than cream cheese. However, it has a chunkier texture, so you may want to purée it before continuing with your recipe. If you are baking or cooking with cottage cheese, add some heavy cream or half-and-half to provide thickness.
7. Hummus
Hummus and cream cheese may not taste the same, but their similarity in texture makes hummus a great cream cheese substitute in a pinch — especially if you're looking for a dairy-free or vegan option. Hummus works best as a cream cheese substitute in savory dips.
Quark, a German cheese made from buttermilk and heavy whipping cream, has a creamy consistency and tangier taste than cream cheese. Think of it as a cross between cream cheese and yogurt. You can use the same amount of quark, but you may want to adjust the recipe to make up for the increased sour flavor.
Yet another vegan option, cashew cheese is a spreadable cheese made from cashews, water, nutritional yeast, and seasonings. You can find it at a specialty store or some traditional supermarkets with a broader vegan section. Apply a 1:1 ratio when substituting cashew cheese for cream cheese.
10. Homemade Cream Cheese
If you don't need cream cheese immediately and can wait a few days, you can make your own cream cheese from yogurt and kosher salt. Chef John prefers to use sheep's milk yogurt, but cow's milk yogurt will also work.
Greek yogurt is a great alternative to cream cheese. It also gives your favorite dishes a healthy twist because it's rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin B12 ( 3 ). Use an equal amount of Greek yogurt in place of cream cheese to make dips, spreads, frostings, and baked goods.
Can I Use Mayo Instead of Cream Cheese? Yes, you can. Mayo has a creamy texture, is spreadable, and has a sweet flavor like cream cheese. This will come down to the flavor profile you're looking for, as well as the consistency you need for the recipe.
The main difference is that cream cheese can be used as an ingredient for baked goods or as a thickening agent for sauces and soups. It provides a denser texture and sweeter taste. Neufchâtel can be a good option for use as a soft cheese with a richer, tangier flavor, but isn't as well suited for cooked applications.
Cream cheese is made by adding lemon juice or lactic acid bacteria to milk or cream. This gives it a distinctive tangy flavor. When using a substitute, consider adding lemon juice to replicate the flavor.
Philadelphia Plain Fat Free Cream Cheese has set the standard in high-quality cream cheese since 1872. This fat-free plain cream cheese has 30 calories per 2 tablespoons, and it delivers the same delicious taste and quality as regular cream cheese without the fat.
Blend together one cup of thick coconut cream and one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Next, add a pinch of salt and two teaspoons of nutritional yeast for a cheesy tang. Chill the mixture to firm it up, and you'll have a terrific dairy-free cream cheese substitute.
Some spreads made with goat milk or milk alternatives are amongst the best healthy cream cheeses as they're easy on the stomach and are lower in saturated fat than cow's milk options.
While bagels with cream cheese are delicious, traditional cream cheese is not necessarily healthy. This popular bagel topping is generally low in protein and high in fat and calories. The good news is that there are healthier cream cheese options, if cream cheese is your favorite bagel spread.
Greek Yogurt. Greek yogurt is yogurt that's been strained to remove the liquid whey, resulting in a thicker yogurt that's higher in protein and lower in fat. ...
Once you've tracked down your ideal full-fat yogurt, you can typically sub it out for cream cheese in a 1:1 ratio, even when baking. However, keep in mind that yogurt is a little tangier than cream cheese (especially Greek yogurt or Icelandic skyr), so the replacement might affect the overall flavor of your dish.
With its mix of protein, fat and water, cream cheese also can be subbed in for an egg where binding is required. Use 1-1.5 tablespoons in place of each egg, if you're replacing a medium or large egg, respectively. Try it in a classic chocolate chip cookie recipe and be amazed.
As French Neufchâtel matures, it takes on a tangier taste than regular cream cheese does, as the latter does not spend time maturing. The edible rind on Neufchâtel adds a bit of a tangy, funky flavor as well.
If you're looking for some other kind of cheese that might work, maybe try mascarpone. Like cream cheese, it has a similar texture and works well with both sweet and savory pairings.
It can be used one-for-one in uncooked recipes, and will slightly reduce the fat content in these dishes (such as chilled dips and spreads). For recipes that call for using a melted or heated cream cheese, the lower fat content of Neufchâtel will not allow for smooth melting, as regular cream cheese will.
Cheeses similar in taste and texture to cream cheese include mascarpone, an Italian soft cheese, and Boursin, a creamy cheese that originated in Normandy. The Editors of Encyclopaedia BritannicaThis article was most recently revised and updated by Kara Rogers.
Cream cheese, mascarpone, ricotta and even cottage cheese can replace the butter in many recipes. Use high-quality whole milk cheeses in a 1:1 ratio for butter and consider straining ricotta or cottage cheeses through cheesecloth to help ensure they aren't adding too much liquid to your recipe.
Blend together one cup of thick coconut cream and one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice. Next, add a pinch of salt and two teaspoons of nutritional yeast for a cheesy tang. Chill the mixture to firm it up, and you'll have a terrific dairy-free cream cheese substitute.
Mix together equal parts cold water and cornstarch, whisking the mixture to create a slurry. Make sure the slurry is completely combined to prevent lumps in your cream sauce. Once you've thoroughly combined the cornstarch and water, whisk the slurry into the sauce 1 tablespoon or 15 mL at a time.
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