Guess who is still happily munching on the jar of homemade cream cheese I made recently? Yep, that’s me- I still love every creamy bite!
Lately, a lot of my recipes require cream cheese- everything from savory dishes to desserts. But every time I grab the jar, it’s almost gone! That’s why I have decided to start making my own cream cheese at home- cause running out isn’t an option when you have so many delicious dishes to make! So, learning how to make cream cheese at home is worth it, and it only requires 3 ingredients, which are available in our kitchen.
Ever wonder why homemade cream cheese tastes so much better?
Well, it’s simple. When you make it yourself with good-quality full-cream milk, fresh lemon juice, and the creamiest yogurt, you end up with a delicious result! While store-bought cream cheese is super convenient to use, it never seems to last longer than a few days and can be pricey.
But when I make fresh cream cheese at home, I get way more for the same price. Plus, it’s fresher and creamier, and I can adjust the ingredients to fit whatever recipe I am making!
Flavor Variations For Homemade Cream Cheese
No other way is better than YOUR way! Since you are making the cream cheese at home, there’s no reason to get stuck with the classic recipe.
Have fun customizing the cream cheese with the following variations:
Smoky
Want to have a smoky, earthy smell in your homemade cream cheese recipe? Simply add smoked paprika, roasted red pepper, or finely chopped smoked salmon for a BBQ vibe without the grill!
Spicy
You never know when your cream cheese needs a little extra kick! A pinch of cayenne pepper, crushed red pepper flakes, finely chopped jalapenos, or your favorite hot sauce is enough to add a bold twist to your cream cheese.
Sweet
Not a Spice fan? Me neither! Let’s sweeten things up with a drizzle of honey, maple syrup, vanilla extract, or fruit puree and turn your cream cheese into a sweet delight.
Herbal
If you are looking for light and refreshing flavor in your cream cheese, stir in some chopped chives, basil, rosemary, and thyme. Mix the herbs with a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of black pepper for a fresh and herbal twist.
Citrus
Bright and tangy flavors are hard to beat when it comes to adding zest to your cream cheese. Enjoy punchy flavors with lemon juice, lime zest, or a splash of balsamic vinegar for a tangy twist!
Tips For The Creamiest Homemade Cream Cheese Recipe
Want your first attempt to be an absolute success? Here are some useful tips for you to follow:
- Strain the cream cheese properly for an extended period of time to achieve a firmer texture.
- Refrigerate the cream cheese before serving if you are planning to use it as a spread.
- If you are going to add extra ingredients like herbs or spices, do it before straining the mixture to ensure the flavors are mixed properly.
- Allow the milk and cream to come to room temperature before using them in the recipe.
- For a healthier version, swap out some of the cream with yogurt and enjoy a tangy and light homemade cream cheese.
Delicious Ways To Enjoy Cream Cheese
Cream cheese isn’t just for your bagels; you can use it as a dip, sauce, frosting, and many more! Here are some delicious ways you can enjoy cream cheese:
Spread
Breakfast becomes quick, easy, and nutritious when you use cream cheese as a spread on your toast, bagel, crackers, waffles, and croissants!
Dip
Mix cream cheese with some herbs, spices, and minced garlic, and enjoy a delicious dip for your french fries, veggies, or breadsticks.
Stuffed Veggies
Mushroom, cherry tomatoes, bell peppers, or jalapenos- which one is your kid’s favorite? Even if the answer is none, u can still win them over by stuffing these veggies with cream cheese for a tasty treat!
Sauce
Cream cheese adds depth to rich sauces like Alfredo sauce, garlic parmesan sauce, honey mustard cream sauce, pesto, and ranch sauce.
Frostings and Swirls
You can make last-minute cream cheese frosting and swirls for brownies, bread, muffins, and cakes with cream cheese, vanilla, sugar, and a pinch of salt.
Layers and Fillings
You can use cream cheese as a separate layer or a delicious filling for pastries, pies, cakes, lasagna and stuffed chicken. I love having cream cheese-filled cinnamon rolls for a mid-morning treat!
How to Make Cream Cheese At Home
Ingredients
- 2 liter / 8.5 cups Full-Fat Milk
- 4 tbsp / 60 ml Lemon Juice
- ¼ tsp / 1.5 g Salt
- 1 tbsp / 20 g Yogurt (Optional)
Equipments
- Milk Pan
Instructions
Boil The Milk
- Pour 2 liters of full-fat milk into a saucepan and place it on the stove over medium heat.
- Using a spatula, stir the milk occasionally to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.
- Allow the milk to come to a boil.
Curdle The Milk
- Once the milk has reached a boil, reduce the heat to low.
- Gradually add 4 tbsp of lemon juice to the milk while stirring it continuously.
- Keep stirring the milk as it begins to curdle. The white curds will soon start separating from the watery, slightly greenish liquid.
- Continue stirring until the curds have completely separated from the liquid.
Strain The Curd and Blend
- Once the curds have separated, turn off the heat and remove the saucepan from the heat.
- Place a strainer over a large bowl and line it with a cheesecloth or a clean, fine cotton cloth.
- Pour the curdled mixture into the strainer to separate the curds and whey.
- Let it sit for 15-20 minutes, allowing the excess water to drain completely.
Blend The Curd Into Cream Cheese
- Transfer the drained curds to a blender.
- Add ¼ tsp of salt to enhance the flavor of the cream cheese.
- Blend the curd until it’s smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick and doesn’t blend easily, add some of the reserved curdled water to adjust the consistency.
- Continue blending the mixture until the texture is soft and creamy.
Store or Serve!
- Transfer the blended cream cheese to a clean, airtight container.
- Serve immediately or store it in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Use full-cream milk for the best texture of the cream cheese.
- If you haven’t reserved the curdled water, you can use sour yogurt to adjust its consistency instead of that.
- You can use white vinegar instead of lemon juice or if you don’t have lemon juice. To make the cream cheese extra creamy, you can use heavy cream.
Rich and heavy dishes like chicken masala, pot pie, and Alfredo sauce all need something creamy to bring them together, and cream cheese is the best option for that. Desserts like brownies, cheesecakes, and tiramisu just wouldn’t have the same magic without it, either!
So, if you are a cream cheese lover like me, there’s hardly any chance you will look back once you try to make cream cheese at home. With double the amount and way fresher quality, it will save you money, time, and that last-minute run to the store!
Recipe FAQs
Are There Any Dairy-Free Alternatives For This Recipe?
Of course! Swap the full-cream milk with coconut or almond milk and use coconut yogurt for a dairy-free version of this recipe.
How Do I Fix A Thick Cream Cheese?
If your cream cheese turns out too thick, add a splash of milk or cream to loosen it up and adjust its consistency.
Can I Freeze Homemade Cream Cheese?
Yes, you can freeze homemade cream cheese for about 2 months. As freezing alters the texture slightly, I usually recommend using it in cooking or baking rather than as a spread.
How To Tell If My Homemade Cream Cheese Is Spoiled?
If your homemade cream cheese goes bad, it will have an off smell, look discolored, or have visible molds.
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