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

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

By: Becky Hardin

This post may include affiliate links that earn us a small commission from your purchases at no extra cost to you.

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.
Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (3)

Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (4)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

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.

Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (7)

Email This Recipe

Enter your email and we’ll send the recipe directly to you!

By submitting this form, you consent to receive emails from The Cookie Rookie.

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!

Mascarpone Cheese (Mascarpone Substitute) Recipe - The Cookie Rookie® (11)

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

Upload A PhotoTag on
Insta
Leave A Rating

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)

Claim your free ebook!

Subscribe to have posts delivered straight to your inbox!! PLUS get our FREE ebook!

Sign Me Up

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 use Philadelphia cream cheese instead of mascarpone? ›

Can I Use Cream Cheese as a Mascarpone Substitute? 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.

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.

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.

How do I substitute mascarpone for heavy cream? ›

Mascarpone is one of the best substitutes for heavy cream because it's so easy to use — you just have to use it in a 1:1 ratio. Simple! Now you just have to think about the consistency you want as your end goal because mascarpone can be quite stiff and thick.

Are ricotta and mascarpone interchangeable? ›

Due to the differences in texture, taste, and fat content, you should not use mascarpone and ricotta interchangeably in all recipes. You can use ricotta for mascarpone in a pinch—especially for baked goods—but the main difference will be in the texture: Look for a high-quality brand of ricotta with very fine curds.

What's the difference between mascarpone cheese and Philadelphia cheese? ›

Mascarpone is an Italian soft cheese made from cream with no added ingredients. It has 1) a higher fat content, and 2) a sweeter, creamy flavor. Cream cheese is an American soft cheese that uses added ingredients to make the cream a cheese. It had 1) a lower fat content, and 2) a tangy flavor that tastes cheesier.

Is mascarpone similar to heavy cream? ›

Substituting Mascarpone for Heavy Cream

Often referred to as mascarpone cheese, this thick dairy product has a fat content of about 44%. It's made in a similar way to sour cream and crème fraîche, but is much sweeter and thicker by comparison. It makes a great substitute and you can use it in soups, stews, and sauces.

Can you substitute mascarpone for whipping cream? ›

Sour Cream, Crème Fraîche, or Mascarpone

These three ingredients can be used in place of heavy cream with a one-to-one substitution with just a few caveats. Sour cream will add tanginess to your dish, and if you use it for soups or other hot dishes, it's best to add it in at the end to avoid curdling.

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.

What is the American version of mascarpone cheese? ›

8 ounces of full-fat cream cheese blended with 1/4 cup of heavy cream and 2 tablespoons of full-fat sour cream make a decent replacement for mascarpone. A tip: don't try to blend the ingredients when the cream cheese is stone cold!

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.

Which is healthier mascarpone or cream cheese? ›

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? ›

Certain ingredients may be imported or are too pricey for our budgets and we need to find substitutes for them. Here's one quick tip I found to use cream cheese as a substitute for mascarpone cheese, which is generally used in the famous Italian dessert Tiramisu or sometimes in cheesecakes.

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 ricotta or mascarpone better for cheesecake? ›

Mascarpone cheese is similar to cream cheese but more rich. And the ricotta creates a light and fluffy texture and offsets the richness. It's the perfect combination of cheeses to elevate your cheesecake. To further level-up this cheesecake, this recipe incorporates a crust made with granola bars!

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Margart Wisoky

Last Updated:

Views: 5740

Rating: 4.8 / 5 (58 voted)

Reviews: 89% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Margart Wisoky

Birthday: 1993-05-13

Address: 2113 Abernathy Knoll, New Tamerafurt, CT 66893-2169

Phone: +25815234346805

Job: Central Developer

Hobby: Machining, Pottery, Rafting, Cosplaying, Jogging, Taekwondo, Scouting

Introduction: My name is Margart Wisoky, I am a gorgeous, shiny, successful, beautiful, adventurous, excited, pleasant person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.