Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (1)

By: Becky Hardin

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Mascarpone Cheese is a rich and creamy Italian cream cheese used in recipes like Tiramisu. I love to keep it around the house for making desserts and as a fruit dip. Learning how to make it from scratch was a game changer for me. Easy, cost effective, and even more delicious than store bought.

Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2)

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Homemade Mascarpone Cheese Recipe

It started when I needed Mascarpone for making Tiramisu, and the store was completely out. I learned how to make this homemade version, and I’ve never looked back. I was instantly hooked. It’s super simple and easy to make, and packs a delicious and creamy flavor punch that store-bought just can’t capture. It’s the perfect substitute for both texture and taste, and I bet you already have the ingredients in your pantry.

  • Easy. This recipe uses just 4 ingredients– cream cheese, sour cream, heavy whipping cream, and lemon juice– and takes only 5 minutes to throw together!
  • Flavorful. The cream cheese and sour cream add a tangy flavor, while the whipping cream creates a rich texture and the lemon juice balances the flavor.
  • Versatile. Once I mastered this recipe, I’ve been able to use it in tons of sweet and savory dishes. It’s a great ingredient to keep on hand.
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How to Store

Store mascarpone cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. If you need it for a recipe, it’s best to let it chill in the fridge for a couple of hours before using it.

I don’t recommend freezing it because it will separate when thawed, but you can re-whip it to freshen it up if needed.

How to Use

This mascarpone cheese can be used as a substitute in any recipe that calls for it, like tiramisu (or these tiramisu cups), cheesecakes, and other desserts. It can also be used in place of whipped cream in many recipes for a thicker and richer option. And it’s a tasty dip or spread all on its own, with fruit, sweet breads, bagels, and more.

I find that it is delicious with savory dishes as well, and can be used as a topping for pizza and pastas, to make rich au gratin potatoes, or to thicken sauces in recipes like this chicken marsala. It’s also a star ingredient of this creamed corn with bacon!

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5-Star Review

“Thank you for posting this!! It is so hard to find mascarpone cheese around here, but I can find all the ingredients needed to make it. Now I can finally make things that call for this cheese!!” -Upsidedownpear

Recipe

Mascarpone Cheese Recipe (Mascarpone Substitute)

4.60 from 75 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Total: 5 minutes minutes

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Serves21

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Make your own mascarpone cheese substitute just by mixing a few ingredients together!

Step-by-step photos can be seen below the recipe card.

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Ingredients

  • 16 ounces cream cheese 454 grams, room temperature (2 bricks)
  • cup sour cream 76 grams
  • ¼ cup heavy whipping cream 57 grams
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice 14 grams, freshly squeezed

Instructions

  • Measure all ingredients and add them into a blender or small food processor.

    16 ounces cream cheese, ⅓ cup sour cream, ¼ cup heavy whipping cream, 1 tablespoon lemon juice

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  • Blend all ingredients together until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.

    Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (9)

  • Chill to firm up the cheese.

    Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (10)

Last step! Don’t forget to show me a pic of what you made! Upload an image or tag me @thecookierookie on Instagram!

Becky’s tips

Yield:This recipe makes approx. 1⅓ cups of mascarpone. A serving is 1 tablespoon.

  • You can also use cream of tartar or white vinegar in place of lemon juice.

Storage: Store mascarpone cheese in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days.

Nutrition Information

Serving: 1tablespoon Calories: 93kcal (5%) Carbohydrates: 1g Protein: 2g (4%) Fat: 9g (14%) Saturated Fat: 5g (31%) Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.4g Monounsaturated Fat: 2g Cholesterol: 27mg (9%) Sodium: 70mg (3%) Potassium: 37mg (1%) Fiber: 0.002g Sugar: 1g (1%) Vitamin A: 355IU (7%) Vitamin C: 0.3mg Calcium: 27mg (3%) Iron: 0.03mg

Did You Make This?I want to see! Be sure to upload an image below & tag @thecookierookie on social media!

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How to Make Mascarpone Cheese Step by Step

Measure the Ingredients: Add 16 ounces (2 bricks) of cream cheese, ⅓ cup of sour cream, ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream, and 1 tablespoon of lemon juice into a blender or small food processor.

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Blend teh Cheese: Blend all ingredients together until smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.

Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (14)

Chill the Cheese: Chill to firm up the cheese.

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What is mascarpone?

Mascarpone is a fresh, soft, spreadable cream cheese from Italy. It’s extra thick and velvety, made with about twice as much fat as typical American cream cheese. That additional fat is what makes it so smooth and luscious. Since my recipe uses ingredients that aren’t in the standard Italian recipe, it is technically a “mascarpone substitute”, but the taste and texture are right on the mark!

What’s the difference between mascarpone and cream cheese?

Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese that’s richer and more “buttery” than American cream cheese, with a slightly sweeter flavor. As mentioned above, it has a higher fat content, leading to a different texture.

What does mascarpone taste like?

This Italian cheese is silky, smooth, thick, and creamy. It’s slightly sweet and tangy, buttery and rich.

Can I eat mascarpone while pregnant?

Yes! As always, check with your doctor for what is safe to consume while pregnant, but all of the ingredients in this recipe are pasteurized, and none are ripened by mold.

Why is my mascarpone substitute grainy?

If you overmix the ingredients, it might come out slightly grainy. To fix this, simply fold in another splash of heavy cream.

More Homemade Cheese Recipes To Try

  • Boursin Cheese
  • Homemade Ricotta
  • Homemade Cottage Cheese
  • Cream Cheese Fruit Dip
  • Pimento Cheese
  • Herb Coeur a la Creme

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Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (2024)

FAQs

What is a substitute for mascarpone cheese in baking? ›

The Best Mascarpone Cheese Substitute

You can mimic the silky, decadent consistency of mascarpone with an easy DIY recipe. To make this mascarpone substitute, mix together 12 ounces of room temperature cream cheese (1 ½ blocks) with ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream and ¼ cup of sour cream until combined.

Can you substitute mascarpone for butter in baking? ›

Cream cheese, mascarpone, ricotta and even cottage cheese can replace the butter in many recipes. Use high-quality whole milk cheeses in a 1:1 ratio for butter and consider straining ricotta or cottage cheeses through cheesecloth to help ensure they aren't adding too much liquid to your recipe.

What is the difference between mascarpone and mascarpone cheese? ›

You might have heard mascarpone referred to as mascarpone cream. The difference between mascarpone cheese and cream is mascarpone cream is made from mascarpone cheese, eggs, and sugar that are whipped together. The result is the whipped topping that's used to make tiramisu.

Can I use Philly cheese instead of mascarpone? ›

Is Philadelphia cream cheese mascarpone? No marscapone and cream cheese are completely different. There are cases where one may be substituted for the other but as a general rule you should use the ingredient the recipe calls for; otherwise you will end up with a similar but still completely different result.

What can I use in place of mascarpone? ›

After scanning multiple recipes, some suggested that ricotta cheese, cream cheese or heavy cream are good alternatives to mascarpone cheese.

What is a healthy alternative to mascarpone cheese? ›

Greek yogurt is a healthy and tangy substitute for mascarpone cheese. It has a similar texture and can be used in sweet or savory dishes. Keep in mind that Greek yogurt is tangier than mascarpone, so you may need to adjust the amount of sugar or other sweeteners in your recipe.

Is mascarpone cheese good for baking? ›

This decadent cheese is a favorite among bakers, but it's not only for baking. Once you know all the ways you can use Mascarpone cheese and learn about the depth of its flavor and versatility, you'll always want to keep a cup in your refrigerator.

Is mascarpone same as whipping cream? ›

Is mascarpone the same as whipping cream? No. Mascarpone is an Italian cream cheese made with heavy cream, and whipping cream is made with heavy cream that didn't go through the process of cheese making.

Can mascarpone replace cream cheese in baking? ›

Substituting Mascarpone For Cream Cheese

Mascarpone is richer and creamier than cream cheese, but works well in recipes like cake frosting. It's not as salty or tangy as some brands of cream cheese, so taste the frosting to see if it needs a pinch of salt or a few drops of lemon juice for balance.

What is the most similar to mascarpone? ›

1. Crème fraîche: Crème fraîche is likely the closest substitute for mascarpone, both in flavor and texture. Crème fraîche is more acidic than mascarpone and has a slightly pronounced tangy flavor. 2.

Does mascarpone cheese taste like cream cheese? ›

What Does Mascarpone Taste Like? Mascarpone cheese is often compared to cream cheese, ricotta cheese, crème fraiche, and clotted cream; however, mascarpone is a sweeter and less tangy product than its peers. Mascarpone is slightly sweet with a hint of acidity.

Is mascarpone just soft cheese? ›

Mascarpone cheese and cream cheese are both white, soft cheeses with a mild taste, but there are differences between them. Taste: Mascarpone cheese has a mildly sweet, almost nutty flavor with a fresh buttery character. Mascarpone is less tangy than comparable cheeses like ricotta and American cream cheese.

Does Aldi's have mascarpone? ›

Emporium Mascarpone Cheese 250g | ALDI.

Are ricotta and mascarpone interchangeable? ›

Mascarpone is a cream cheese with a 45+% of fat content. Ricotta is a dairy product made by precipitating albumine left in the whey, which is the cheese waste product, and it has a nearly 0% fat content. The two can't be used alternatively to each other. You can't substitute one to the other.

Which is healthier cream cheese or mascarpone? ›

No, mascarpone cheese is not healthier than cream cheese as it contains 25% more fat than cream cheese. Yet mascarpone cheese is only preferred for its extra smooth texture. You can use cream cheese and mascarpone cheese for salty and sweet dishes.

Can I use normal cream cheese instead of mascarpone? ›

Yes, cream cheese makes a great substitute for mascarpone. There are two methods to substitute mascarpone: Substitute 1 cup of mascarpone with 1 cup of a cream cheese and whipping cream mixture. To make this mixture, use 1/4 cup of cream for every 8 oz.

Can you swap mascarpone for cream cheese? ›

Substituting Mascarpone For Cream Cheese

Mascarpone is richer and creamier than cream cheese, but works well in recipes like cake frosting. It's not as salty or tangy as some brands of cream cheese, so taste the frosting to see if it needs a pinch of salt or a few drops of lemon juice for balance.

Which is better for cheesecake cream cheese or mascarpone? ›

Upgrade Your Cheesecake With Mascarpone Cheese

Because mascarpone is made from heavy cream, it has a higher fat content than cream cheese which is made from whole milk.

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