You’ll Like These Cream Cheese Substitutes Better Than The Real Thing
The Best Cream Cheese SubstitutesMelindaSiklosi – Getty Images
Cream cheese is an incredibly versatile ingredient. It’s the foundation of some of our favorite desserts, like cinnamon rolls, red velvet cake, and cheesecake bars. You’ll be hard pressed to find a game day dip that doesn’t start without a block of cream cheese. And of course, your bagel wouldn’t be the same without a schmear.
But what happens if you open up your fridge to find that you’re out of cream cheese?! Your first instinct might be to panic. Instead, just take a deep breath. You don’t need to frantically send someone to the supermarket or reevaluate your dinner or dessert plans.
Cream cheese is an inimitable ingredient, but there are plenty of substitutes that can replicate it. Whether your tub has spoiled, you don’t have enough, or you have dietary restrictions, you can rely on this list of cream cheese substitutes that are just as good as the real thing.
Want more ingredient swap inspo? Check out our favorite substitutes for sour cream, butter, eggs, and salt.
Mascarpone
Ivannag82 – Getty Images
In terms of fat content and texture, mascarpone is the closest dupe for cream cheese. You may be familiar with this creamy Italian cheese as a layer in tiramisu. But its mild flavor makes it a great stand-in for cream cheese in almost every application. However, it’s important to note that it’s not as tangy as cream cheese—so you’ll want to supplement each cup of mascarpone with two teaspoons of lemon juice.
Greek Yogurt
annick vanderschelden photography – Getty Images
Yogurt has the same lacto-fermented, gut-healthy bacteria that gives cream cheese its signature tang. But its texture is much runnier. So when you’re swapping cream cheese for yogurt, it’s important to opt for thicker strained versions like Greek yogurt or Icelandic skyr. Yogurt has only a fraction of the fat content as cream cheese, so it’s not a great substitute in baking. But it works well when making dips and other savory recipes.
Sour…
..