Homemade Cream Cheese

Elevate your breakfast spreads and baked goods with this luscious Homemade Cream Cheese recipe! Made with simple, wholesome ingredients like whole milk, heavy cream, and a touch of white vinegar or lemon juice, this recipe delivers rich, velvety cream cheese you can whip up in just 25 minutes. The step-by-step process involves gently curdling the milk and cream mixture, straining it to perfection, and blending until irresistibly smooth. Customize it with your favorite herbs or spices for a gourmet twist! Perfect for bagels, cheesecakes, or as a creamy dip, this DIY cream cheese is fresher, tastier, and free from additives—an irresistible kitchen staple you’ll want to make again and again.

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 8

Ingredients

• 4 cups whole milk
• 0.5 cups heavy cream
• 3 tablespoons white vinegar or lemon juice
• 0.5 teaspoons salt

Directions

Step 1

In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the whole milk and heavy cream. Place the saucepan over medium heat.

Step 2

Heat the mixture gently while stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, until it reaches a temperature of approximately 180°F (just below boiling). Use a food thermometer to monitor the temperature.

Step 3

Once the milk and cream mixture reaches the desired temperature, lower the heat to medium-low and add white vinegar or lemon juice one tablespoon at a time. Stir gently after each addition.

Step 4

Continue stirring until the mixture begins to curdle and large curds form, which usually takes 1-2 minutes.

Step 5

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the curdled mixture sit undisturbed for 5-10 minutes to allow the curds to fully separate from the whey.

Step 6

Place a fine-mesh sieve or colander over a large bowl, and line it with several layers of cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel.

Step 7

Carefully pour the curdled mixture into the prepared sieve to drain the whey. Let it drain for about 10-15 minutes, or until you reach your desired consistency.

Step 8

Gather the edges of the cheesecloth and twist it gently to press out excess liquid. Be careful not to press too hard, as you might lose too much moisture.

Step 9

Transfer the cream cheese to a bowl and add the salt. Mix well to incorporate the salt evenly.

Step 10

For a smoother texture, blend the cream cheese in a food processor until creamy and free from lumps.

Step 11

Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving. Homemade cream cheese can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1144 grams (1144.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1004

Total Fat 71.20g	91%
Saturated Fat 42.20g	211%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.10g
Cholesterol 237mg	79%
Sodium 1593mg	69%
Total Carbohydrate 45.20g	16%
Dietary Fiber 0.00g	0%
Total Sugars 47.00g
Protein 31.90g	64%

Vitamin D 429IU	2147%
Calcium 1203mg	93%
Iron 0mg	0%
Potassium 1468mg	31%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 67.5%

Protein: 13.4%

Carbs: 19.0%