Let’s face it, cream cheese is delicious. Whether smeared on a classic bagel or added to a decadent frosting recipe, nothing beats the creaminess and richness of the spreadably cheese.
But as we all know, cream cheese is made from milk (certainly not a bad thing, unless you’re intolerant) and is packed with calories. Unless you are strictly adhering to a specific food plan that encourages it, cream cheese is certainly no diet food.
Luckily, there’s ways to replicate the texture (and maybe even the flavor) without succumbing to the massive calorie count. Here are five fantastic substitutes for cream cheese that will satisfy the craving without stretching your stomach.
Cottage Cheese
Cottage cheese is a high-protein, extremely versatile milk fat product that is lower in fat and calories than cream cheese. It is also sold “naked” quite often, meaning without processed flavorings or sweeteners that cream cheese brands use to entice bagel lovers.
The texture of cottage cheese makes some people hesitate, but you can easily blend the chunks in a blender with some lemon juice to make a smooth, savory spread or dip. And if you plan on baking with cottage cheese? Add a little heavy cream to give it some body — it’s still better for you than a processed cream cheese, even with the cream.
Greek Yogurt
No, you probably won’t spread Greek yogurt on your bagel. But you can use it for any of the other many recipes you love that call for cream cheese. A cream cheese frosting for a carrot cake made with greek yogurt, instead, will knock your socks off. You can also use the yogurt to thicken up cheese sauces like queso blanco.
Mascarpone
Ok, so this ingredient is not a healthier substitute for cream cheese — but it elevates any dish that calls for cream cheese into something truly special. And remember, we’re talking about substitutions, not necessarily just healthier alternatives.
Mascarpone is richer, more velvety, and denser than cream cheese. It’s high fat and calorie count make it the pro’s preference in any dessert that calls for cream cheese. To take it to the next level, add a pinch of salt or some lemon juice to your mascarpone for restaurant-quality flavor.

Kefir with “everything” seasoning
Remember how you wouldn’t spread Greek yogurt on your bagel, but you would cook with it? Kefir is the opposite. You don’t want to cook with it, but you can make a killer bagel spread with this probiotic delight.
Kefir is a sour, fermented beverage that’s made by adding kefir grains — clusters of lactic acid bacteria and yeast — to milk. To make the spread, just add your favorite bagel toppings (chia seeds, dried onion, etc.), and let the kefir sit on the counter for a half hour or so. It will thicken naturally, and provide much more calcium and protein than cream cheese alone.
Cashew cheese
The dairy-free crowd will appreciate this addition to the list, as it is made with nuts, nutritional yeast, and spices. The nutritional yeast is also a good source of vitamin B12, making it a healthy substitute for cream cheese.
You won’t want to bake a dessert with cashew cheese, but you can easily add it to soups, sauces, or spreads for a dairy-free, tangy flavor. You can even make your own cashew cheese at home by food processing cashews, the yeast, lemon juice, and some garlic powder.
Try experimenting with all of the cream cheese substitutes above and let us know which worked best for you.

I discovered your blog website on google and verify a few of your early posts. Proceed to maintain up the excellent operate. I simply extra up your RSS feed to my MSN Information Reader. Looking for ahead to studying more from you afterward!…
I like this blog so much, saved to favorites.
I got good info from your blog
There may be noticeably a bundle to learn about this. I assume you made certain nice points in features also.
Great web site. A lot of helpful info here. I¦m sending it to several friends ans also sharing in delicious. And obviously, thank you for your sweat!
Those are yours alright! . We at least need to get these people stealing images to start blogging! They probably just did a image search and grabbed them. They look good though!
I simply wanted to jot down a message to say thanks to you for these unique guidelines you are sharing at this site. My incredibly long internet lookup has at the end been recognized with beneficial facts and techniques to go over with my best friends. I would say that most of us website visitors actually are truly blessed to be in a useful site with very many wonderful individuals with beneficial tips and hints. I feel very privileged to have discovered the website and look forward to tons of more thrilling times reading here. Thank you again for a lot of things.
I loved up to you’ll receive carried out proper here. The cartoon is attractive, your authored subject matter stylish. nevertheless, you command get got an shakiness over that you want be delivering the following. ill for sure come further in the past again as precisely the similar just about very continuously within case you shield this increase.
I got what you mean , thankyou for putting up.Woh I am pleased to find this website through google.
I used to be suggested this blog by way of my cousin. I’m now not positive whether this publish is written through him as nobody else recognize such specified about my difficulty. You’re amazing! Thanks!
I’m not sure exactly why but this weblog is loading incredibly slow for me. Is anyone else having this problem or is it a issue on my end? I’ll check back later on and see if the problem still exists.
125451 123802Thankyou for all your efforts that you have put in this. very interesting info . 410059