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. Learn how to make this mascarpone substitute at home, so that you always have it when you need it. This recipe is easy, cost-effective, and so delicious!

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

Table of Contents

Why We Love This Mascarpone Cheese Recipe

If you can’t find mascarpone cheese at the store, you can make this homemade version with ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen! It’s the perfect substitute for both texture and taste.

  • 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 you’ve mastered this recipe, you can use it in tons of sweet and savory dishes.
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Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

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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 Mascarpone

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.

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!

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.

Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (5)

More Homemade Cheese Recipes To Try

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

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 (Mascarpone Substitute)

4.60 from 75 votes

Author: Becky Hardin

Prep: 5 minutes minutes

Total: 5 minutes minutes

Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (6)

Serves21

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

    Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (8)

  • 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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Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (12)

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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.

Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (13)

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.

Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (15)

Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (16)

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

FAQs

What is a substitute for mascarpone cheese in baking? ›

Crème Fraîche and sour cream bring unique tastes and handle heat like pros. Then there's ricotta, Mascarpone's flavor buddy, perfect for cheesecakes and spreads. Cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese are also the go-to for rich textures.

What are the ingredients in mascarpone cheese? ›

It is a fresh cheese that is most commonly made with pasteurized cow's milk. Unlike some cheeses, which have animal-derived rennet added, mascarpone is vegetarian. It's made by heating heavy cream and adding an acid like tartaric acid (aka cream of tartar), citric acid, or lemon juice to solidify and thicken the cream.

What's the difference between mascarpone cheese and 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. It's also used as a topping for cake, fruit, and coffee drinks.

Can I substitute mascarpone for sour cream in baking? ›

While crème fraîche and sour cream serve a similar purpose, which is to add fat and a slightly tangy flavor to recipes, mascarpone cheese and yogurt are completely different products and should not be used as substitutes for either cream-based staple.

Can I substitute mascarpone for cream cheese in cookies? ›

Try mascarpone, which some people describe as "Italian cream cheese." Although that's not completely accurate, they do perform similarly in recipes. Mascarpone is richer and creamier than cream cheese, but works well in recipes like cake frosting.

Can I replace mascarpone with cream cheese? ›

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 I use Philadelphia instead of mascarpone? ›

Mascarpone and Cream cheese can be interchangeable in some recipes, including cheesecake. If you want a tangy flavored cheesecake, you should use Cream cheese, but if that flavor isn't necessary, either cheese can be used. I like philly for cheesecakes and dips and mascarpone for tiramisu.

What is special about mascarpone? ›

Mascarpone contains 70 to 75% milk fat, giving it a smooth, creamy texture and pale ivory color. Unlike other cheeses, mascarpone is made by coagulating cream (rather than milk) with acid and heating it.

What is special about mascarpone cheese? ›

Mascarpone is an ivory-colored, exceptionally smooth, and easily spreadable fresh cream cheese. The flavor is milky and slightly sweet. The rich, buttery texture comes from the high butterfat content (up to 75 percent).

What is a healthy alternative to mascarpone cheese? ›

Cottage Cheese

Cottage cheese can be a great substitute for mascarpone cheese in various recipes, especially when you're looking to cut down on calories or fat content. To achieve a texture and flavor similar to mascarpone, opt for high-fat cottage cheese and put it through a simple process of straining and blending.

How long can you keep mascarpone once opened? ›

A closed package of mascarpone will last in the fridge until its best-by date. If you've already opened it, the clock starts ticking, and you have around 1 week to use it all up.

Can you use ricotta instead of mascarpone? ›

In a pinch, yes. They're both soft cheeses with a delicate flavour and an Italian name, but they have significant differences you should be aware of before attempting a substitution: Ricotta contains a lot more water than mascarpone (feels lighter) Mascarpone contains a lot more fat than ricotta (feels heavier, richer)

What is a cheaper alternative to mascarpone? ›

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

Why is mascarpone used in desserts? ›

If you think Mascarpone is just like cream cheese, you'll be surprised and probably delighted to learn Mascarpone is richer and sweeter. Mascarpone has a more velvety texture, lending it to easier spreading and opening up possibilities as both a cream cheese substitute and the star of its unique set of dishes.

How do you turn mascarpone cheese into sour cream? ›

Cream cheese and mascarpone cheese are a bit thicker than sour cream. Thin them by whisking in a splash of milk and a bit of lemon juice (for acidity). You should be able to get fairly close to the same consistency of sour cream.

Can I use ricotta instead of mascarpone in tiramisu? ›

Mascarpone lends a subtle tang and creaminess to tiramisu, but I by far prefer the smooth and subtle flavor that ricotta gives it. This is a tiny change, but it makes all the difference in the world. It's what makes this ricotta tiramisu just a bit special.

Is mascarpone just soft cheese? ›

Mascarpone cheese is a soft, slightly sweet and a tad bit tart, spreadable cheese often described as an Italian sweet cream cheese. Mascarpone is probably most well-known as the key ingredient in Italian desserts like tiramisu and cannoli.

What does mascarpone taste like? ›

Mascarpone is a fresh, soft cow's milk cheese with a lightly sweet, rich flavor that is originally from Northern Italy. Mascarpone contains 70 to 75% milk fat, giving it a smooth, creamy texture and pale ivory color.

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