Cream Cheese Substitute
What actually works instead of cream cheese, from frosting to dips.
Real substitutes for 1 cup of cream cheese
Mascarpone
1 cup mascarpone
Richer and slightly sweeter than cream cheese; a strong swap in frostings and cheesecake, less ideal in savory spreads.
Ricotta, blended smooth
1 cup ricotta, blended in a food processor until smooth
Lighter texture than cream cheese; works in baking, but skip the blending step and it'll be too grainy for frosting.
Cottage cheese, blended smooth
1 cup cottage cheese, blended until smooth
Lower fat than cream cheese; best in dips and spreads rather than frosting, where the flavor difference is more noticeable.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of cream cheese?
Mascarpone is the closest in richness, ricotta blended smooth works well in baking, and cottage cheese blended smooth is a lighter option for dips and spreads.
Will a substitute work in cheesecake?
Mascarpone is the best fit -- it's richer and holds structure similarly. Ricotta can work if it's blended completely smooth first, but skip cottage cheese here; it stays too grainy.
What about for a savory dip or spread?
Cottage cheese blended smooth is the lightest option and works well in savory dips, though the flavor is milder than real cream cheese.