Cream Cheese Substitute Options
Many recipes call for cream cheese, but not everyone keeps it in their refrigerator. Instead of a trip to the grocery store, why not try a cream cheese substitute?
Some people have dietary restrictions and avoid foods like dairy, while others are looking for healthier options. If any of these apply to you, read on for cream cheese substitute options you can try.
Why You Need Cream Cheese
Cream cheese gives certain qualities to baked goods, desserts and savory dishes. Here are some reasons why cream cheese is needed:
- It makes pie crusts light and flaky.
- Cream cheese adds richness to frostings like those used for carrot and red velvet cakes.
- It is used in many cheesecake recipes.
- Cream cheese can be stirred into soup to add creaminess and thickness.
- It can add creaminess and tanginess to pasta sauce.
- Cream cheese can be used as a base for dips and spreads.
- It can be mixed into mashed potatoes to add creaminess and thickness.
Common cream cheese substitutes
Always remember that a cream cheese substitute can change the texture, flavor or consistency of a recipe. Having the exact ingredient a recipe calls for is ideal, but it’s not always possible due to allergies, dietary restrictions or not having it on hand. In such cases, these options are great choices. With the exception of goat cheese, you can easily replace cream cheese with these substitutes in a one-to-one ratio.
Mascarpone Cheese
Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese that’s very close to regular cream cheese, but with a higher fat content for a creamier texture. It’s especially good for dips and desserts. Since it’s less tangy than American cream cheese, you can add a little lemon juice if you want to match the flavor.
“I find that mascarpone cheese is a great substitute for cream cheese for both savory and sweet recipes! I was making a cheesecake and ran out of cream cheese, and I was able to substitute this because its flavor didn’t overpower other ingredients but still had the same fluffy texture.”
— Shruthi Baskaran-Makanju, Urban Farmie
Neufchâtel
Neufchâtel offers a texture and taste similar to cream cheese but with slightly more fat and sodium. The American version comes in bricks like cream cheese, while the French version is softer and crumbly. It works well in baking, frostings, sauces, dips, and both sweet and savory dishes.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese has a mild taste and chunkier texture, with less fat than cream cheese. For frostings or desserts, blend it with an equal amount of plain yogurt, Greek yogurt, or heavy cream until smooth. For sauces or dips, strain out extra liquid and puree before adding to your recipe.
Ricotta Cheese
Ricotta has a softer flavor and chunkier texture than cream cheese. In dips, blend ricotta with an equal amount of plain or Greek yogurt to match the recipe’s quantity and texture. For most other recipes, you can use ricotta as a one-to-one swap.
Sour Cream
Sour cream brings tang and thickness, making it great for dips, sauces, and baking. When baking with it, add 2 extra tablespoons of flour to help your cake hold together.
Goat cheese
Goat cheese is creamy, tangy, and rich. Use ¾ cup of goat cheese for every cup of cream cheese in your recipe. It works well in spreads, dips, sauces, and both sweet and savory dishes.
Cashew Cheese
Cashew cheese is a vegan option, usually made with blended cashews, nutritional yeast, and seasonings. It’s best for savory dishes like sauces or soups and is available at specialty and natural food stores.
Hummus
Hummus is a vegan, dairy-free, nut-free spread made from chickpeas. Its creamy, tangy flavor works well in savory dishes, sauces, and spreads.
Silken Tofu
Silken tofu is smoother than regular tofu and similar in texture to cream cheese. It’s a good vegan option for baking, dips, spreads, and savory dishes.
Plain Yogurt
For yogurt to work as a cream cheese substitute, strain it to make hung curd (strained yogurt). Full-fat yogurt gives the best results.
Place it in a cheesecloth or coffee filter, squeeze out the liquid, and hang it over a bowl overnight. The longer it hangs, the thicker it gets. The result has a tangy taste like cream cheese, and you can sweeten it with honey if desired. Use it in dips, sauces, baking, or frostings.
When using a cream cheese substitute, it’s important to remember that your recipe may not turn out exactly like the original. Follow the directions above carefully, and although the texture and flavor may be slightly different than when using cream cheese, these alternatives are still worth a try.
