Although its unique taste and texture are appealing, there are probably people who have never purchased cream cheese. If you are a frequent wine drinker or baker, you may have it on hand. However, if you have cream cheese as an ingredient, have you ever experienced the problem of not having a regular supply?
In this article, I will show you how to use a simple substitute for cream cheese.
Characteristics of cream cheese
Compared to other cheeses, cream cheese is soft and pleasant to the palate. Its softness is due to its high milk fat content, and it tends to be slightly high in calories. It has a slightly sour taste that goes well with cream and other sweet foods.
However, cream cheese is often sold individually in bite-sized packages or margarine-like containers, and if you buy the latter, you may not be able to use it all and it may end up damaged. This aspect tends to be a hurdle for people who are not familiar with cream cheese to start using it.
Two easy ways to substitute cream cheese
For the aforementioned reasons, people who are not familiar with cream cheese will often be hesitant to buy it. But the truth is that cream cheese can be substituted with everyday ingredients. As an example, here are two ways.
Combination of sliced cheese and milk
Mix heat-melting sliced cheese and milk and heat in a heatproof container. Once the cheese is melted, refrigerate it. When the cheese is melted, refrigerate it. The cheese and milk will mix well, and the texture will be similar to cream cheese. The point is that you can make as much as you need. The point is that you can make only the amount you want to use. Of course, you may misjudge the amount at first, but at least you will be less likely to run out and damage the product. It may take a little work, but it’s worth a try.
Use drained yogurt
Drained yogurt is yogurt that has been drained using kitchen paper. In many cases, it is made overnight. Because it is made from yogurt, it tends to be slightly sourer than cream cheese. Another disadvantage is that it takes more time and effort to make than the sliced cheese and milk substitute mentioned above. However, there is also the advantage of being able to make a larger amount of yogurt at a time. If you know that you will be using a lot of yogurt at once, yogurt can be an effective substitute.
How to substitute cream cheese depends on your needs
Cream cheese substitutes can be used in the same way as the original cream cheese. For example, a substitute made with sliced cheese and milk is suitable for small amounts, such as spreading on bread or crackers or using in dressings or sauces. This would be ideal for people who are just starting to use cream cheese or who only want to use a small amount occasionally.
On the other hand, yogurt is a good substitute for cream cheese in large quantities, such as in cakes or mixed with fresh cream. For example, if you are accustomed to using cream cheese but want a more sour taste, or if you want to avoid the high milk fat content of cream cheese, this may be just right for you.
Conclusion
This article has introduced two relatively simple ways to substitute cream cheese. Which one you choose will depend on your taste preferences and how you use it. Either way, although it takes time and effort, the fact that it can be substituted with easily available ingredients is appealing. I hope you will feel free to try out the substitutes without worrying about what to do if you get tired of them.