Can I use butter instead of cream cheese

Cream cheese is often used in place of butter in low-fat cookie recipes. In the absence of a written recipe, you can experiment with substituting some or all of the butter with cream cheese.

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Table of Contents

• Can you use cream cheese instead of butter when baking cookies?
• Can we use cheese instead of butter for cooking?
• Can I use cream cheese for baking?
• Can you use cream instead of butter?
• Can you use cream cheese instead of butter in mac and cheese?

Can you use cream cheese instead of butter when baking cookies?

Cream cheese, rather than butter, can be used to make cookies that are higher in protein and lower in fat. Cream cheese results in a less crisp cookie, as well as one that is less buttery but still has a good texture.

Can we use cheese instead of butter for cooking?

If you are looking lower saturated fats in your foods, consider replacements for butter. Cream cheese can be an option, but it should not be used in recipes that call for fat as a substitute. However, you can substitute cream cheese for butter in recipes that do not necessitate a reduction in fat content.

Can I use cream cheese for baking?

In contrast to other dairy products like yogurt or buttermilk, cream cheese should only be used as a topping on cakes. Dollop a small amount of frosting onto cupcakes before baking if you don’t have enough to make a full batch. This results in a deliciously soft, embedded icing.

Can you use cream instead of butter?

So heavy cream or thickened cream with 40% fat or above will be an ideal option. To give you a general estimate, I got 90 grams butter (about 3/4 stick) from 240 ml (1 cup) whipping cream 32% fat. The quality of the whipping cream will determine the quality of the butter. Don’t use topping cream/top whip when making the whipped cream.

Can you use cream cheese instead of butter in mac and cheese?

First, there is cream cheese.In recipes that aren’t influenced by the reduced fat content, however, you can use cream cheese as a butter substitute. Using cream cheese instead of butter will result in a thicker and creamier blend of mac and cheese that has a rich flavor.

Cream cheese is a soft, spreadable cheese that’s a staple in many dishes, including sauces, spreads, soups, and sweets.

However, it’s made from milk and cream and is relatively high in fat and calories.

Therefore, if you’re looking to cut your calorie intake or avoid dairy, you may want to find alternatives. You may also simply find yourself out of cream cheese and need a quick replacement.

Here are 11 simple swaps for cream cheese.

1. Cottage cheese

Cottage cheese and cream cheese have several similarities, but cottage cheese is slightly lower in fat and has a chunkier texture (1,2).

You can easily make the texture smoother by pureeing cottage cheese with a dash of lemon juice.

Use cottage cheese in place of cream cheese in a 1:1 ratio for dips and spreads. Before using it for baking or cooking, consider mixing it with cream or half-and-half to add thickness.

2. Greek yogurt

Greek yogurt is a great alternative to cream cheese.

It also gives your favorite dishes a healthy twist because it’s rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin B12 (3).

Use an equal amount of Greek yogurt in place of cream cheese to make dips, spreads, frostings, and baked goods. You can also strain Greek yogurt overnight using a cheesecloth — this can thicken it to match the texture and consistency of cream cheese.

3. Ricotta

Ricotta is a cheese known for its soft texture and sweet, tangy taste.

Like cream cheese and other dairy products, it’s a good source of protein, calcium, vitamin B12, and riboflavin (4).

Although it isn’t as thick as cream cheese, it works well as a filling or an ingredient in sauces and spreads. You can also combine it with an equal amount of heavy cream or yogurt and add it to baked goods and desserts.

4. Mascarpone

Mascarpone is a high fat variety of cream cheese that’s typically made using cream rather than milk.

In addition to being higher in fat and calories than cream cheese, it has a richer, more velvety texture that works well in many recipes — particularly fillings, spreads, frostings, and desserts (5).

Try adding a dash of salt and a spritz of fresh lemon juice to give your mascarpone a tangy taste similar to that of cream cheese.

Still, you’ll want to save this product for special occasions if you’re trying to cut your calorie intake.

5. Hummus

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While hummus isn’t a suitable swap for cream cheese in sweet items like frosting or cheesecake, it’s a delicious substitute for spreads.

In addition to being dairy-free and vegan, it’s an excellent source of protein, fiber, and micronutrients such as manganese, copper, and folate (6).

Hummus is available in a variety of flavors, so you can easily vary your morning bagel routine.

6. Kefir with chia seeds

Kefir is a sour, fermented beverage that’s made by adding kefir grains — clusters of lactic acid bacteria and yeast — to milk.

In addition to its impressive content of protein, calcium, and phosphorus, kefir is packed with probiotics, which are a type of beneficial bacteria that may support gut health (7,8).

To make a cream cheese substitute, combine 1 cup (240 mL) of plain kefir with about 1/4 cup (43 grams) of chia seeds and let it sit for 10–20 minutes until the mixture thickens.

While this substitute is unsuitable for cooked dishes and most baked goods, it makes a great probiotic-packed replacement for bagel spreads.

7. Neufchâtel

Neufchâtel is a soft, spreadable cheese that originated in Neufchâtel, France.

Compared with cream cheese, it’s lower in fat and calories but still a great source of nutrients such as calcium, phosphorus, and protein (9).

You can use an equal amount of Neufchâtel in place of cream cheese in almost any recipe, including cheesecake, frosting, sauces, and spreads.

However, it has a grainier texture and isn’t quite as rich as cream cheese, so the flavor of your final product might change slightly.

8. Silken tofu

Although you may have to experiment with spices and seasonings to achieve the right flavor, silken tofu makes a fantastic vegan substitute for cream cheese in certain recipes.

In fact, it’s often blended to make vegan cheesecakes and bagel spreads thanks to its soft, creamy texture.

Tofu is also highly nutritious, packing a good amount of protein, manganese, selenium, and calcium into each serving (10).

Opt for recipes that already call for tofu in place of cream cheese to ensure that you get the ratio right, and try adding a squeeze of lemon juice if you want an extra tangy taste.

9. Cashew cheese

Whether you’re following a dairy-free diet or looking for an easy way to boost the nutritional value of your dishes, cashew cheese is a terrific cream cheese substitute.

Typically made from cashews, nutritional yeast, and a mix of herbs and spices, cashew cheese provides substantial fiber and protein in each serving (11).

Nutritional yeast, a common component of cashew cheese, is also a good source of vitamin B12 (12)

While cashew cheese is unsuitable for sweets and baked goods, it works well in a 1:1 ratio in savory dishes such as soups, sauces, and spreads. Plus, it’s easy to make at home by blending raw cashews with nutritional yeast, garlic powder, and a bit of lemon juice.

10. Sour cream

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Sour cream is made by adding lactic acid bacteria to cream. This results in a thick, tangy product that works well in many recipes in place of cream cheese.

Because it’s lower in fat than cream cheese, sour cream may also give your favorite dishes a low calorie twist (13).

Keep in mind that sour cream is more acidic than cream cheese, so it’s best for use in soups, sauces, and dips instead of in sweets.

11. Quark

Quark is a creamy, spreadable cheese that’s popular in many regions of Europe.

Not only does it have a mild flavor and soft texture closely resembling cream cheese, but it’s also highly nutritious, boasting a hearty dose of protein and calcium in each serving (14).

You can use an equal amount of quark to replace cream cheese in nearly any dish, including cheesecakes, frostings, cookies, sauces, and spreads.

Note that quark is slightly more sour than cream cheese, so be sure to adjust the other ingredients in your recipe accordingly.

The bottom line

Cream cheese is a not only a tasty spread but also a versatile ingredient in a variety of dishes.

However, if you’re trying to cut your calorie intake or avoid dairy products, there are plenty of substitutes that you can use instead.

Try experimenting with some of the ingredients listed above to find what works for you.

Just one thing

Try this today: Get creative with spices and seasonings to approximate the flavor of savory cream cheese spreads. For example, lemon juice adds a bit of tang, while nutritional yeast provides a rich, nutty taste.

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