Cream Cheese Substitute

Are you looking for a substitute for cream cheese in a recipe? You are in the right place! We go over several ingredient options to substitute for cream cheese.

Estimated reading time: 4 minutes

Cream Cheese Substitute

Hi Everyone, if you have ever looked for cream cheese, not been able to find it but still needed to make a certain recipe, you're not alone!

Luckily, there are many cream cheese substitutes available.

You will need to use your best judgment when deciding which cream cheese alternative to using for a particular recipe and we can not guarantee the outcome. It's best to use an alternative if ifs a recipe that is forgiving to ingredient swaps.

Cream Cheese Substitutes

Here are some ingredients that you can use as cream cheese substitutes:

Neufchatel cheese - I use this 1 for 1 in place of cream cheese, it has the same consistency and tastes almost identical. This ingredient can be interchangable. It also has ⅓ the amount of fat that regular cream cheese has.
Mascarpone cheese - This cheese is a key ingredient in tiramisu. I feel like it's a more decadent option. It's absolutely delicious but also more expensive than cream cheese.
Cottage cheese - The texture of cottage cheese is different but it's also a soft cheese and therefore can act the same in certain recipes as cream cheese. You could try to process it in a food processor to get a more smooth consistency with out the lumps.
Ricotta Cheese - Ricotta is similar to cottage cheese in terms of consistency. Again, you can process it in a food processor to get a smoother consistency.
Greek yogurt - This option will have a tang to it because it's a yogurt. It's a great substitute if you are looking for a creamy option with a smooth consistency.
Sour cream - This is similar to yogurt in that it has a tang to it. It's going to be nice and creamy and thick. It's a great ingredient to use in quick breads, muffins and cakes.
Coconut Milk, coconut butter, and yeast mixture - I have not tried this option but this combination can give a similar taste to cream cheese. Let us know in the comments if you have tried this cream cheese substitution.
Tofu, lemon juice, and margarine - Similar to the previous mixture, this is another 3-ingredient combination that can create a similar substitute for regular cream cheese.

Tiramisu Trifle Recipe

Mason Jar Tiramisu Trifle

Tiramisu Chia Pudding

Homemade Classic Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Recipes using Cream Cheese

Here are some recipes on our blog that use cream cheese in the blog post linked below:

Cream Cheese Recipes

Creamy Mashed Potatoes with cream cheese

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Sara Maniez

Owner at Life's Little Sweets

Life’s Little Sweets is a seasonal cooking and local food blog featuring farm-to-table recipes, CSA inspiration, and creative ways to enjoy what’s fresh and in season.

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