Cream cheese is a weakness in my home. Learn how to make homemade cream cheese that is ultra-creamy, and requires 3 ingredients. Using your pressure cooker for cream cheese speeds up the process and gives you a hands off approach.
I share directions for homemade cream cheese in your Instant Pot or on the stovetop. Velvety smooth homemade cream cheese.
Table of contents
Use this cream cheese in dips, spread on bagels, toast, use in recipes, and more. A homemade whipped cream cheese that is ultra creamy! Use this cream cheese for my pickle wraps.
This DIY cream cheese was fun to make. I used my pressure cooker and it made this cream cheese from scratch a quick recipe.
Why You Will Love Making Homemade Cream Cheese ..
- 3 Ingredients
- Toss in blender to whip it up to an ultra creamy texture
- So easy to make
- Can make your own cream cheese on stove or pressure cooker
- Stores well
- A cream cheese substitute to use in recipes
🥯 Cream Cheese Ingredients
- Whole Milk
- Heavy Whipping Cream
- Vinegar
🍋 How to Make
Full directions for this cream cheese recipe are featured below in the printable recipe card. This is a quick walk-through.
Step 1: Start by adding your heavy cream, milk, and vinegar into the Instant pot. You can use lemon juice to replace, but it will create smaller curdles.
Step 2: Give it a quick stir, place the lid on the pressure cooker, and make the valve set to sealing.
Step 3: Pressure cook 5 minutes on low, with 10 minutes of natural release. Then open the lid carefully.
Step 4: Strain the mixture in a fine-mesh strainer that is lined with a cheese cloth. The liquid will be a greenish color, this is normal.
Step 5: I then transfer the mixture once drained into my Ninja Foodi blender. Give it a good blend, till it is creamy.
Step 6: Pour into a container, store in the fridge until you are ready to eat it.
How is cream cheese made on the stove? Check out the printable recipe card with those directions.
🥐Storage
The cream cheese needs to be refrigerated, in an airtight container. You can store your cream cheese for around 7-14 days.
Stir and use as you would like. Spread on toast, bagels, use for mixing up a dip, in casseroles and any other way you would use a classic cream cheese in a recipe.
🍽️ Variation To Recipe
- Instead of vinegar you are more than welcome to swap with lemon juice. You will find the texture alters a bit.
- Add a sprinkle of salt to taste once the cream cheese is done.
- I prefer the cream cheese ran through a blender to get the right texture. You can use a food processor as well
- Add in fresh herbs or even fruit to flavor the cream cheese the way you would like.
👩🍳 Recipe FAQs
Cream cheese is a high fat and calories. Cream cheese is delicious but should be eaten in moderation.
Cream cheese is a dairy that is a spreadable creamy cheese mixture. It is often used to top muffins, waffles, bagels, and more. You can also use this cream cheese in recipes.
Cream Cheese vs. Neufchâtel are similar. You will find that Neufchâtel is a lower calorie cream cheese. They are interchangeable in most recipes.
The closest thing to cream cheese is cottage cheese or mascarpone cheese. You will find that these two are alternatives to the classic cream cheese.
Cream cheese can be frozen for up to 6 months if you store it properly. Just thaw in the fridge for 24 hours to allow it to slow thaw.
Recipes To Use Cream Cheese In
- Cream Cheese Deviled Eggs
- Bacon Wrapped Pickles
- Blueberry Cream Cheese Pie
- Cheesecake Stuffed Apples
- Cream Cheese Chicken
Have you tried the recipe? If so, please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating in the recipe card below or drop a comment. Also stay in touch with me through social media by following me on Facebook, Pinterest, or My Facebook Group
Homemade Cream Cheese
Ingredients
Supplies
Cream Cheese Ingredients
- 3 cups whole milk
- 1 1/2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 2 1/2 tablespoons vinegar
- Salt optional
Instructions
- Start by pouring your heavy whipping cream, milk, and white distilled vinegar into the Instant Pot. Give it a gentle stir.
- Place the pressure cooker lid on, and then close the sealing valve. Do 5 minutes low pressure, followed by 10 minutes of a natural release to let it sit.
- Open the lid after 10 minutes, and then pour the mixture in a cheesecloth-lined fine-mesh strainer. I let it strain for around 5 minutes.
- Transfer the cheese curds into the blender and process for 3-4 minutes or until the mixture is creamy like cream cheese. You might need to scrape down the sides.
- If you find the cream cheese mixture is a little dry, add a little of the whey liquid in. Add salt to taste if you would like.
- Place the whipped cream cheese in an airtight container and place in the fridge until ready to use.
Video
Notes
Stovetop Directions For Cream Cheese
- In a heavy pot pan, you are going to pour your milk and the heavy cream in (med-high heat) and bring it to a rolling simmer. Make sure to stir constantly.
- Reduce the heat to medium and then pour in the white distilled vinegar. Do 1 tablespoon at a time when you pour it in.
- The cheese mixture will begin to curdle at this point, that is what you want to see. Stir continuously, until greenish liquid is on the bottom and you have larger curds on top.
- Line your fine mesh strainer with the cheesecloth and pour the mixture into the strainer. It will catch all the cheese curds.
- Allow the mixture to drain for about 5 minutes, then transfer the cheese to a blender, and mix 2-3 minutes till creamy!
- Lemon Juice – You can use lemon juice in replace of vinegar, but it will alter the texture. Your curds will be smaller in size.
- Salt is optional. you can add up to a 1/4 teaspoon to flavor.
- Add in herbs or spices to season your cream cheese, or even whip up with fresh fruit.
Nutrition
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Comments & Reviews
Melinda A Russell says
Can you double the recipe for making more cream cheese at one time? Would the cooking time in the Instant Pot be the same or longer? One batch doesn’t seem enough for making a cheesecake.
I just made my first batch. Looks great!
Thank you!
Kelsey says
Yes, you can double the recipe. Or even triple, just don’t go over the max fill line on your Instant Pot.
Andal says
+++++
Would love to try this recipe, but is there a way to make it thicker, so it holds sort of similarly to commercial cream cheese? Is it simply a matter of blending it longer? Thank you!
Kelsey says
So you can control the texture. If you want it thicker strain longer, if you want it thinner, add some whey in when you run in the blender. It is all about the personal preference of the texture.