Most recipes for making frosting require the use of cream cheese as one of the core ingredients but the problem about cream cheese is that it is not found in some grocery stores so you might have to resort to finding substitutes. However, the tricky part about cream cheese substitutes is that you will find a lot of alternatives but it doesn’t necessarily mean that they will complement well with whatever you are making. Therefore, this article narrows down all the substitutes of cream cheese and focuses only on substitutes of cream cheese in frosting. So basically this article recommends alternatives for cream cheese when making frosting only.
Contents
Substitute cream cheese in frosting with Neufchatel
When you do not have cream cheese to make frosting you can substitute it with Neufchatel which is a type of cheese. It has a firm, spreadable and grainy texture and in terms of flavour Neufchatel has a nutty, salty and sharp flavour, which is ideal for making frosting. Neufchatel has a lower fat content as compared to cream cheese so it actually a healthier substitute for cream cheese. However, the downside of using Neufchatel as a substitute for cream cheese in frosting is that it is very high in sodium so if consumed in large quantities it can pose as a risk to people suffering with high blood pressure.
Substitute cream cheese in frosting with mascarpone cheese
Mascarpone cheese is a good substitute for cream cheese in frosting this is because it has a similar taste and almost the same texture as cream cheese. Mascarpone cheese is also known as triple cream cheese and it contains a lot of fat and is slightly less acidic as compared to cream cheese. It is very high in fat and low in sodium as compared to Neufchatel therefore you can use it as a substitute in frosting. However, the downside of using mascarpone cheese as a substitute for cream cheese in frosting is that it is very high in fat so if consumed in large quantities it can pose as a threat to people suffering from cardiovascular diseases. Therefore it is safe to say mascarpone is a good substitute for cream cheese in frosting because of the texture and flavour only but not for your health if you have heart problems.
Substitute cream cheese in frosting with ricotta cheese
When you do not have cream cheese and the frosting you want to make requires cream cheese as one of its main ingredients then ricotta cheese can work as a substitute. Ricotta cheese is usually readily available in the stores so that’s a bonus furthermore, ricotta cheese has a flavour which is quite similar to cream cheese therefore it will work well as a substitute. Ricotta cheese is less sweet with a harder and grainer texture as compared to cream cheese. It is not a healthier alternative to cream cheese as it is high in fat and cholesterol, however it is low in sodium so if you have hypertension problems then you can use ricotta cheese as a substitute in frosting. When making frosting using ricotta cheese you can mix it with heavy cream so that the frosting can come out perfectly.
Substitute cream cheese in frosting with Greek yoghurt
Greek yoghurt is a fat-free substitute for cream cheese in frosting. This means that it is a healthier alternative. When using Greek yoghurt to substitute cream cheese you actually have to make cream cheese from the yoghurt you just don’t use it like that. 1 cup of Greek yoghurt produces ½ a cup of cream cheese. So to make the cream cheese you need to find a bowl and a put a strainer inside it. The next step is to take a piece of cheesecloth then pour 1 cup of Greek yoghurt inside and let the whey drip inside the bowl overnight. In the morning you will be amazed of how thick the Greek yoghurt will be and that will be your cream cheese that you can use for frosting.
Substitute cream cheese in frosting with kefir and chia seeds
When you do not have cream cheese and you want to make frosting you can simply substitute it with kefir and chia seeds. Kefir is a fermented milk drink that is similar to drinkable yoghurt and chia seeds are small black seeds that have hydrophilic properties, meaning they have the capability of absorbing water. To make a cream cheese substitute using these 2 ingredients simply pour kefir into a bowl and add ¼ cup of chia seeds into the bowl, mix the 2 ingredients together and allow them to sit for about 30 minutes so that the seeds can absorb all the water from the kefir.
Substitute cream cheese in frosting using tofu and lemon juice
Tofu and lemon juice are also decent substitutes for cream cheese when making frosting. The tofu will help to mimic the texture of the cream cheese which is soft while the lemon juice will help to provide that tangy flavour that is found in cream cheese. When substituting cream cheese in frosting using tofu and lemon, add 1 ½ cups of tofu into a blender and add a tablespoon of lemon. Blend the 2 ingredients together and when they are done you can chill them in the refrigerator so that you get the right consistency.
Conclusion
Cream cheese is a popular ingredient that is used for making frosting. It has a tangy flavour to it and a creamy texture. The problem with cream cheese is that is it very hard to come across it in some grocery since it is on high demand. The article has highlighted the most common substitutes of cream cheese in frosting. The substitutes highlighted include Neufchatel which is low in fat as compared to cream cheese therefore it is commonly regarded as a healthier alternative. Mascarpone is also another substitute of cream cheese and it has almost the same texture as cream cheese. The other substitutes for cream cheese in frosting that were highlighted include ricotta cheese, Greek yoghurt, a combination of kefir and chia seeds and lastly tofu and lemon juice.
