Ever wondered How To Make Cream Cheese at home? It's super easy! With yogurt and few ingredients, you can make a tangy creamy and cheesy spread.
You will also like Yogurt Cake, Ice Cream with 2 Ingredients, Spanish Flan, Sushi Salmon Bake and Ice Cream Cake.
Homemade Cream Cheese has a fresher taste and a fantastic texture that you can't get from the ones you buy at the store. Plus, it works great on bagels, and toasts. Ready to give it a shot?
Enjoy the tasty goodness with this easy recipe! Whether you're a kitchen pro or just starting out, making your own spread is simple.
My recipe makes it with yogurt and a few flavoring ingredients, and you'll see why it's better than store-bought ones.
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⭐Why You'll Love This Cream Cheese Recipe
This delicious Cream Cheese is full of bright, fresh homemade flavors from fresh basil and roasted pepper.
Here are a few reasons to fall in love with this recipe:
- Simple Ingredients: The recipe uses common and easily accessible ingredients, such as yogurt and salt.
- Easy to Make: This recipe is incredibly easy to make. With no baking and cooking involved.
- No-Fuss Preparation: With minimal steps and simple instructions, this recipe is perfect for beginners.
- Fresh and Homemade Flavor: Making this at home allows you to enjoy a fresher taste compared to store-bought options. The use of yogurt as a base contributes to a tangy and creamy flavor.
- Healthier Option: Homemade cream cheese allows you to control the quality of ingredients, ensuring a healthier option without added preservatives.
- Customizable Seasoning: The addition of salt, pepper, basil, and roasted pepper gives you the freedom to customize the flavor according to your preferences.
- Versatile Use: This delicious spread can be used in a variety of dishes. Spread it on bagels, use it as a dip for vegetables or crackers.
If you want more appetizers you should check out Mojo Sauce and Bubble Potato Pillows.
🧾Ingredients
Each ingredient in this recipe contributes specific qualities to the final product.
Here is a list of everything you need and a breakdown of what each component provides:
For Cream Cheese:
- Yogurt: Serves as the base, providing a tangy and creamy texture. The yogurt adds acidity, thickness, and richness.
- Salt: Enhances the overall flavor and helps balance the sweetness of the yogurt.
For Flavoring:
- Pepper: Adds a subtle heat and depth of flavor.
- Basil: Infuses a fresh and herbal flavor. Basil provides a fragrant and slightly sweet flavor, complementing the tanginess of the yogurt.
- Roasted Pepper: Introduces smoky and sweet notes, along with a vibrant color.
📋Substitution
Substituting ingredients in this recipe can be done based on personal preferences or dietary restrictions.
Here are some potential substitutions for the ingredients:
For Cream Cheese:
- Yogurt:
- Substitute: Greek yogurt, strained yogurt, dairy-free yogurt (for a vegan option), or cream.
- Note: Choose a substitute with a similar thickness and consistency to yogurt.
- Salt:
- Substitute: Sea salt, kosher salt, or any salt of your preference.
- Note: Use a substitute in the same quantity as salt to maintain the desired level of seasoning.
For Flavoring:
- Pepper:
- Substitute: White pepper, cayenne pepper, or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Note: Adjust the quantity based on your preferred level of spiciness.
- Basil:
- Substitute: Fresh cilantro, parsley, mint, or dill.
- Note: Choose an herb with a flavor profile that complements the other ingredients in your cream cheese.
- Roasted Pepper:
- Substitute: Sun-dried tomatoes, grilled zucchini, or roasted garlic.
- Note: Opt for ingredients that provide a similar depth of flavor and a touch of sweetness.
By adapting the ingredients to your preferences and dietary needs, you can create a personalized alternative that suits your taste and lifestyle.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📖Variations
This is a versatile recipe that can be customized in various ways to suit different tastes and preferences.
Here are some delicious variations that you can try:
- Herb and Garlic Infused:
- Ingredients: Cream cheese, fresh chopped herbs (such as parsley, chives, and dill), minced garlic.
- Instructions: Mix the herbs and garlic into the cream cheese for a savory and aromatic spread.
- Savory Onion and Chive:
- Ingredients: Cream cheese, finely chopped green onions, fresh chives.
- Instructions: Create a classic savory spread with the addition of green onions and chives.
- Sun-Dried Tomato and Basil Cream Cheese:
- Ingredients: Cream cheese, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, fresh basil.
- Instructions: Combine sun-dried tomatoes and basil with cream cheese for a Mediterranean-inspired flavor.
- Pesto and Pine Nut:
- Ingredients: Cream cheese, basil pesto, toasted pine nuts.
- Instructions: Incorporate the flavors of pesto and toasted pine nuts for a savory and aromatic cream cheese.
- Smoked Salmon and Dill:
- Ingredients: Cream cheese, smoked salmon (chopped or smoked salmon spread), fresh dill.
- Instructions: Blend smoked salmon and dill into cream cheese for a classic bagel topping.
- Spicy Jalapeño Cream Cheese:
- Ingredients: Cream cheese, diced jalapeños (fresh or pickled), a pinch of cayenne pepper.
- Instructions: Add a kick to your cream cheese with jalapeños and a hint of cayenne.
- Honey and Walnut Cream Cheese:
- Ingredients: Cream cheese, honey, chopped walnuts.
- Instructions: Sweeten your cream cheese with honey and add a crunchy texture with chopped walnuts.
- Maple Pecan Cream Cheese:
- Ingredients: Cream cheese, maple syrup, chopped pecans.
- Instructions: Combine cream cheese with maple syrup and pecans for a sweet and nutty spread.
- Berry Swirl:
- Ingredients: Cream cheese, mixed berry jam or fresh berries (mashed), a touch of honey.
- Instructions: Swirl in berry jam or mashed fresh berries for a fruity and sweet cream cheese.
- Cinnamon Raisin:
- Ingredients: Cream cheese, ground cinnamon, raisins.
- Instructions: Create a sweet and spiced cream cheese with ground cinnamon and plump raisins.
Feel free to mix and match these ideas or create your own unique combinations. The possibilities are endless, and experimenting with different flavors can lead to delightful and personalized variations.
👩🏻🍳How to Make Cream Cheese
These step-by-step instructions and photos will help you to visualize how to make this recipe. See the recipe card for a printable version of this recipe.
1. Sprinkle salt into the yogurt and thoroughly mix it to make sure the salt is evenly mixed.
2. Put a fine mesh strainer on top of a bowl and cover it with cheesecloth.
3. Empty the yogurt into the prepared strainer. Let it sit in the fridge for at least 4 hours, giving it a gentle squeeze every hour to release excess liquid.
4. Transfer the drained yogurt into a bowl.
5. Sprinkle some black pepper onto the strained yogurt.
6. Finely chop the basil, dice the roasted pepper, then mix them into the strained yogurt, folding until thoroughly blended.
7. Put the cream cheese in a small bowl and chill it in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours to let the flavors come together.
8. Pair the cream cheese with some crackers for serving.
🔪Equipment
Check out all of my kitchen essentials in my Amazon Store!
Here is a list of kitchen utensils for making this recipe:
- Large Bowl
- Strainer
- Cheesecloth
- Small Bowl
- Knife
- Cutting Board
- Spatula
❄️Storage
It is best to enjoy fresh but can be stored with some precautions to maintain its creamy texture and flavor.
Here is a guideline:
Storing:
- Refrigeration: Always store in the refrigerator, maintaining a temperature below 40°F (4°C). Keep it in an airtight container to prevent the absorption of odors from the refrigerator.
🍽 How to Serve
Cream Cheese is a versatile appetizer that can be served in various ways, depending on your preferences and the occasion.
Here are some ideas on how to serve:
- Toast or Crackers: Spread on toast or crackers for a quick and easy snack.
- Spread on Bagels: Classic and delicious, spread on your favorite bagels.
- In Sandwiches and Wraps: Use as a spread in sandwiches and wraps.
- Baguette Slices: Spread on slices of a baguette for a simple and elegant appetizer.
- Stuffed in Celery Sticks: Create a simple and healthy snack by spreading inside celery sticks.
💭Tips for Recipe Success
Making Cream Cheese at home can be a rewarding and enjoyable process.
Here are some tips to help you achieve a successful homemade Cream Cheese:
Choose the Right Yogurt: Start with a high-quality yogurt. Full-fat Greek yogurt is often preferred for its thickness and richness, but you can experiment with different yogurt varieties based on your preferences.
Strain Yogurt for Thickness: If you prefer a thicker cream cheese, strain the yogurt to remove excess whey. You can do this by placing the yogurt in a cheesecloth-lined sieve or colander over a bowl and letting it drain in the refrigerator for 4 hours.
Be Patient with Straining: If you're straining the yogurt for thickness, be patient. The longer you strain, the thicker the cream cheese will become. Check the consistency periodically and stop when it reaches your desired thickness.
Control Salt Levels: Add salt gradually and taste as you go. This allows you to control the saltiness of the cream cheese.
Experiment with Flavorings: Get creative with flavorings. Beyond the basic recipe, try adding herbs like chives or dill, garlic, or different spices to customize the flavor to your liking.
Roasted Peppers and Basil Additions: Roasted peppers and basil bring unique flavors. Roasting the peppers enhances their sweetness and adds a smoky element. Fresh basil provides a fragrant and slightly sweet note.
Taste and Adjust: Taste the cream cheese mixture before finalizing the recipe. Adjust the seasoning, salt, or additional flavorings according to your preference.
Store Properly: Store the finished cream cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Proper storage helps maintain freshness and prevents the absorption of odors from the refrigerator.
Allow Flavors to Develop: Let the cream cheese sit in the refrigerator for a few hours before consuming. This allows the flavors to meld and develop.
By following these tips and adapting the recipe to your taste preferences, you can create a delicious and customized homemade Cream Cheese. Enjoy the process and the satisfaction of making your own creamy spread!
🍛More Appetizer Recipes!
Here are more of my favorite appetizer recipes! Try these:
If you make this Cream Cheese recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a star rating at the bottom of this page! This provides helpful feedback to both me and other readers. Also, let me know how you go in the comments below. I love hearing from you!
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🎥Watch my Videos
This video will show you the details and step-by-step instructions for making this fantastic Sushi Salmon Bake!
📖 Recipe
How to Make Cream Cheese
Ingredients
For Cream Cheese:
- 500 g Yogurt
- 1 teaspoon Salt
For Flavoring:
- ½ teaspoon Pepper
- Basil
- 1 Roasted Pepper
Instructions
- Add salt to the yogurt and mix well to ensure the salt is evenly distributed.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Line the strainer with cheesecloth.
- Pour the yogurt mixture into the lined strainer. Allow it to drain for at least 4 hours in the refrigerator, squeezing out the liquid every hour.
- In a bowl, place the strained yogurt.
- Add black pepper to the strained yogurt.
- Chop the basil, dice the roasted pepper, add to the strained yogurt and fold in until well combined.
- Place the cream cheese in a small bowl and refrigerate for at least 1-2 hours to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve the cream cheese with crackers.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Sandra says
I've always wanted to make cream cheese and this recipe made it SO easy! The results must be way better than anything I've bought at the store. Thanks for sharing!