Orange Cranberry Cream Cheese - easy flavored cream cheese recipe! (2024)

FAQs

What do you mix with cream cheese? ›

Virtually any herbs or spices (and even some vegetables) can be folded into a block of softened cream cheese to make something even more exciting. For topping bagels or serving with bagel chips, try mixing in poppyseeds, scallions, chives, VERY finely minced carrots and celery, and even “everything” bagel seasoning.

Using your mixer, beat the cream cheese until whipped. At this point, you can gradually add in the milk until you get your desired "whipped" consistency.

Cut your block into cubes

Cutting up your cream cheese creates more exposed surface area, allowing warm room-temperature air to break down the cold molecules faster. This also will make it easier to distribute your softened cream cheese evenly throughout whatever you're mixing it into.

It's a good source of vitamin A and doesn't provide much lactose. However, it's low in protein and high in fat and calories, so it's best to use it in moderation. Notably, versions like whipped cream cheese are lower in fat and calories.

Once opened, cream cheese should be eaten within two weeks and kept in the fridge, according to Healthline. Its storage, packaging and processing can also impact the dairy product's longevity. Cream cheese's pasteurization does kill microorganism, but its high water "still poses a risk of microbial contamination."

Unopened cream cheese can go straight in the freezer in its original packaging. The foil wrapping and cardboard box provides more than enough protection from freezer burn. Frozen cream cheese is best kept in the freezer for up to two months.

What is the Laughing Cow made of? The Laughing Cow is creamy and delicious because of its secret recipe that includes skimmed milk and a variety of cheeses (Cheddar, Gouda, Edam, Emmental, Comté …) melted and blended in a way similar to a cheese fondue.

Mascarpone is richer and creamier than cream cheese, but works well in recipes like cake frosting. It's not as salty or tangy as some brands of cream cheese, so taste the frosting to see if it needs a pinch of salt or a few drops of lemon juice for balance.

What is a healthier choice than cream cheese? ›

Greek yogurt is a great alternative to cream cheese. It also gives your favorite dishes a healthy twist because it's rich in protein, calcium, and vitamin B12 ( 3 ). Use an equal amount of Greek yogurt in place of cream cheese to make dips, spreads, frostings, and baked goods.

These differences can be explained by the manufacturing process. Block cream cheese is made by adding a cheese culture to milk and cream, which causes the proteins to coagulate slowly and produces a rich, smooth mass. Whipped cream cheese is coagulated with lactic acid, a process that is quicker (and less expensive).

Answer: It depends on what you are using the cream cheese as an ingredient in. First of all let it soften at room temperature for a couple of hours. Then using the back of a wooden spoon or a very sturdy silicon spatula PRESS little by little the edges of the brick of cream cheese to 'smoosh' it into a paste.

Cream cheese is a soft, neutral-tasting cheese made from cow's milk and cream. Its subtle sweetness, mild tanginess, and silky smooth texture make it extremely versatile: Spread it on a bagel, mix it into cookie dough or cake batter, or use it as a base for your next creamy frosting.

Since this cream cheese dip is full flavor, it's also amazing as a dip for crackers and tortilla chips. We love using Ritz crackers, multigrain crackers, pretzels, pita chips and Kettle chips or Ruffles. You could even scoop some onto a wrap or sandwich, or spread a spoonful over a bagel!