Last Updated on December 7, 2020
Making cream cheese at home had always been on my list and I kept postponing mango cheese cake for the reason of using only homemade cream cheese.Hunting cream cheese wasn’t easy here in CBE though Nilgiris stocks it up rarely but it is too expensive. Now guess Britannia has released cream cheese which costs around 150rs but the one made at home is pretty much cheaper and also you get the self satisfaction of making it at home with the very easy and minimal ingredients. I referred around 4-5 recipes and came with this version.
You can use this for your cheesecakes(which is what I did)or just spread it on your crackers and enjoy…yum!!
NOTE : There were many of the cream cheese recipes which was apt like paneer making and hung curd making. This is slightly different with the add on process. Though the actual cream cheese making involves some culture making and some techie things…..this is only a substitution but works so well.
Homemade Cream Cheese Recipe – Ingredients
Preparation Time : 15 mins | Cooking Time : 30 mins | Makes : 3/4 cup
Recipe Category: Homemade | Recipe Cuisine: World
Recipe Category: Homemade | Recipe Cuisine: World
Milk – 1 litre
Curd(Yogurt) – 1 tbsp
Lemon Juice – 1.5 tbsp (or) Vinegar – 2 tbsp
Method:
- Boil milk, add lemon juice and stir continuously until the whey water and cheese seperates. You can see the whey seperating from milk as seen below.Switch off.
- Now pour this into a muslin cloth and drain water. Then wash it in cold water twice atleast to get rid of the lemon flavour.Leave it aside keeping a container under it for 15mins for the water to drain.
- Then add curd and mix well. Now transfer it to the mixer and grind this mixture to a smooth paste.
- Now transfer this again to the muslin cloth and bring the ends together and tie a knot and hang it on a cupboard handle. Leave it aside for 5-6 hours till all the liquid is drained completely. You can place a container under the hanging to collect the dripping. Then open and collect cream cheese in a bowl and refrigerate it overnight.
Your homemade cream cheese is ready…When you want to use it, bring it to room temperature then use it for your cheese cakes or frosting for cakes.
My Notes:
- You can also use 1/4 cup cream to get a richer version.
- If you use full fat cream milk you will get more quantity and creamier version of cheese.
- You can refrigerate upto 2 weeks for usage. I am not sure whether it will keep well even more than that.
Yes. cream cheese is very costly here. good explanation with stepwise pictures.
Will this work with lactose free milk?
Not really sure
Thatz really a helpful recipe…. :)…thanks for sharing…great going!!
Hey wow this is all there is to it? Love this post dear. Thanks for sharing. I am hosting Kitchen Chronicles Theme Go Nuts…Do send me your entries
wow this is nice. I make Paneer in the same way.
Nice recipe Sharmilee.Thanks for sharing.
Wow….had been searching for the recipe for a very long time….Tk u for posting it….
very useful post…
wow..now waiting for the cheesecake
I've been using the same method for a while now since hunting down cream cheese is actually next to impossible.Lovely pics,I am craving some cream cheese desserts now:)
I could just eat this all up by itself!!
Looks perfect Sharmi. Here we get it in tubs and have never thought about making it at home :).
Vardhini
Event: Kid's Delight
Event: Only Vegan
Event: Zucchini
Well done Sharmi, fortunately we get cream cheese very much easily here..
Lovely recipe!!! It has been on my to do list for long as well. But after seeing yours, I am sure it will be soon enough 😉
Excuse my ignorance, but what is curd and where would I find it in my US grocery store? I can buy a cheap store brand cream cheese for about $1US but I prefer to make all my own food.
Thanks!
Tracee
Tracee, curd is just plain yoghurt. non flavoured, full fat is what you will need!
I never thought of making it at home. Lovely Sharmi. Will wait for the mango cheesecake now !!
Perfect cheese for spread & dips
Very helpful and Handy Recipe for Cream Cheese… Yes I have tried for cream cheese when i was in BLR and gave up…
-Mythreyi
Yum! Yum! Yum!
@Tracee…Np at all…Curd is nothing but yogurt…
Wonderful discovery!!!thanks sharmi!!
Sharmi ..This version sounds great..I have a version which is just hanging curd overnight in fridge which results in a pretty good cream cheese.Try that too..
very nice n useful post ..:)
I never knew cream cheese was so easy to make 🙂 Lovely recipe. Will make it and try some frosting soon which I have always dreamt of making.
Nice n creamy cheese..looks perfect
Wow…that sounds easy to make…looks perfect.
Its so perfectly done.. .love it!
Does it taste similar to store bought? Looks very easy and am going to try soon!!!
Sowmya
http://nivedhanams.blogspot.in/
@Sowmya : yeah almost similar with what I have tasted
Cream cheese… that too homemade… yum yum ! So some cheesecake in drafts too??? 🙂
Wow thats is super easy to make and nice one without any preservatives .neat clicks waiting for the mango cheese cake recipe
That looks yumm! thanks for sharing step by step pics!
necessity is the mother of invention, or in this case, creation 🙂
Super duper like, this post is creative, informative and healthy!
Creamy, cheesy, useful recipe!!
Prathima Rao
Prats Corner
love the sounds of this method!! i make my own cream cheese too, but slightly different way. Love your pics too! Makes me want to go raid my fridge for some cream cheese now! :D. My first visit to your blog and it looks great! I'm not a fan of the Britannia cream cheese. Guess once we try the homemade version, nothing else measures up huh 🙂
Love all the clicks esp the texture of the creamy cheese in d 2nd last pic… Yummy… A must try for this weekend. Could u plz post how to make paneer at home?
@Madhu : Sure that is onto my do list, sure to make and post it soon.
That is so cool you made cream cheese. I so want to try to make some.
sounds gr8 ..liked it
We need to store it in freezer or chill tray?
@Vhithra : Just in the racks is fine…
Okay Thanks Chechi!
And one more thing chechi, does the amount of cheese we get depend on how much we stir after the whey separates??
@Chithra : It does depend on it but mainly depends on the full cream/low fat milk we use….
I had exactly the same problem.. though i used exactly the same quantity as said in the recipe and plus, i used full cream fresh milk directly taken from a neighborhood farmer. So with 1L milk i just had about 150gr (about 5oz1/2) cream cheese.. i was so sad too because i saw your pictures and it seems like you had a lot more cheese.. mine looks so little. But anyway this cheese is soooo good and tasty ! i love it!
So tomorrow i'll try to make another one again.. Do you have some advices ? like more lemon (perhaps?), stirring more or low heat for the stove or anything else? Thank you so much!
oh then may b thats y i didnt get much thou i used full cream milk. i stopped the stove abt 2-3 min aftr the whey water sepearted (as soon as i added vinegar it strted seperating) 🙁 so sad 🙁
Hi, love ur Recipe but can u tell me when to add the Full cream if we want more consistency…?
@Arundati : Not really sure bu guess you can add it while blending…
Great recipe, thanks for sharing. I'm a missionary in Kenya and can't get good cream cheese here. I just made your recipe and it turned out great. I was wondering if you've experimented with flavoring your cream cheeses at all and if you have suggestions.
Thanks!!
Pearl
Sharmi, can't wait to try out this recipe. A clarification before I embark upon the much awaited do-able recipe. The cream will be added along with the curd?
Add the cream along with paste , mix well then transfer it to the muslin cloth.
Awesome. I am so glad I came across your recipe. Had always wanted to make cream cheese at home and wondered how to make it. Thank you so much. Now I am a regular visitor to your site.
-Madhavi
Hey thanks I just made this by using half litre milk. Wanted to check if instead of doing this process can I just buy paneer and throw it in the mixer along with some curd and cream and would it still give me
Cream cheese. I mean if I just use paneer there would. Be more quantity and it's easier as we'll thanks Lemme know.
I am really not sure Taz…I think it will work, give a try and see…
hi!
ive been looking for a way to make cream cheese frosting! this sounds perfect.. just wanted to know whether i can use the amul taaza etc packaged milk that is available these days?
also taz, please let us know how ure experiment with paneer went! 🙂
What is that taaza…that sounds new to me…sorry couldnt help u in this regard….
wonderful recipe..i had a doubt. your tip says 1/4 cup cream to get a richer version…would that be along with curd or instead of curd????
Add it while blending with curd
I found your recipe when i was craving to eat Cheese cake. I couldn't find cream cheese in stores near my house. This recipe worked fine and I could make a little cheese cake with that cream cheese. Thanks a lot Sharmi. Your recipes have always helped me work out wonders in the kitchen .. 😉
This is extremely helpful. The step-by-step pictures were ofimmense use!
Thankyou so much for sharing!
Now off to cheesecake- making 🙂
Thanks a lot…my boyfriend is a huge fan of cheesecakes but I couldn't find any around my place…I tried the Britannia one…but I found it to be too salty..
you are a life saver..!!:)
will it taste good sharmi?? this is my first time with the cheesecake!
thank u for the recipe sharmi! i wanted to noe how is the taste..i mean to remove the smell of the curd can we add vanilla essence!
It depends on the recipe you are going to use it for….if you are using it for strawberry cheese cake then use strawberry essence.
Hi,
When do I add the 1/4 cup cream if I want a richer version? Is it fresh cream?
Please check Lijis reply I had already given above….:)
Hi Sharmee,
I made one batch of cream cheese according to this recipe (in fact, didn't keep it out for 5 hours, just one or two) and it has become paneer-ish to touch after 12 hrs of refrigeration. Did I do something wrong? should it be softer?
It may be slightly hard soon after you take it out from the fridge but after keeping it in room temperature for 10mins it will become soft.
Dear Sharmilee,
Thankyou for such a nice and simple recipe for cream cheese. I usually used hung-curd as a substitute for cream-cheese. Now I'll use the real thing! Love.
thats a wonderful way to make cream cheese…thanks…i just wanted to know one thing…u said to hang the mixture for 5-6 hours…but as the weather is hot now it may turn sour so can we hang the mixture in the fridge instead n if yes than for how many hours inside the fridge…pls help…
I dont think it will turn sour…but still if you are doubtful then hang for 3-4 hours, but make sure all the water is completely drained…Hope this helps!
Life Saver Sharmilee 🙂 I always wondered if this could be done using milk. Everywhere else I only found recipes using full cream. And full fat cream in the quantities needed for cream cheese are so expensive, it'd be cheaper to buy cream cheese itself directly! Thank You so much!
Wonderful Sharmi
Simple and amazing! Never knew it would be so easy. I have a silly doubt. Can I use it fresh without refrigeration for making cheesecake or is refrigeration mandatory to set it? Please reply soon.
Homemade creamcheese should be refrigerated…I keep it aside in room temperature for few mins before I use it for cheese cakes…hope this helps!
thank you sharmi…. searching for cream cheese in shops and are expensive.Now i make for it for my cheese caake
OMG thank you for the recipe, so far its the most easiest recipe i found and the ingridients so easy to find here.
Hey I wanted to knw if full cream to be replaced for yogurt or milk????
No replacement, just add it while blending or after that and give a quick mix.
Thankx a ton my fiancee loves cakes.. and I love making them… was dreaming soo many days to make cheese cake bt was unable to do so as we dont get cream cheese here in patna.. so now I have the cream cheese recipe im gonna soon make him a cheese cake.. hope ot works
can i use this recpie for baking cream cheese cake? please reply.
yes
Dear Sharmilee,
It is really kind of you to share your knowledge so enthusiastically. I request you please give me recipees for 'Butter shortbread cookies' and 'Dinner rolls(Those eight shaped ones)'.While using all purpose flour for rolls and buns should we use gluten? How much gluten is to be added to the all purpose flour please?
Thanking You,
Witrh Regards,
Yasho
Sure will post them in future…Maida(APF) itself has gluten content so no need to add it separately.
Wow thats superb..
My hubby loves red velvet cake, so i searched the net and for that i needed cheese cream, so happy to find it here..
Thanks a Ton Sharmilee for this method to prepare cream cheese ..
Even ur name is so cute 🙂
Nice pose..it's quite hard to find ready made cream cheese in my country..tq..:-)
Thanks! I am gonna make strawberry cheese cake today! :))
Thanks!! m going to make strawberry cheese cake today! :))
Thank you so much for the recipe. The place where I stay does not have ready made cream cheese.So this has come as a blessing. My children love blueberry cheese cake.
This worked so well and I was able to make cream cheese filled cupcakes that tasted amazing! I have been putting aside lots of recipes because cream cheese is rarely available-and very expensive when it is-but I can't wait to try them out with my home-made cream cheese!
hi sharmi ji… even i've been hunting for cream cheese for a while now. but of no use.. can u please tell me which milk did u use ?. one more doubt…do u directly run the cold water onto the paneer while washing, or do u wash it covered with thr muslin ? i hope u r clear…
I used Aavin green pack….you can directly wash it as shown in the stepwise picture
Hi Sharmilee,
Your cream cheese recipe looks awsome. but i still have a doubt, do i use the packed toned cow's milk for this cream cheese making? i get all sorts or milk here, which are skimmed, toned,homogenized, and even straight from the local cowsheds, which is loose unpacked milk. Please guide whats best. We use amul toned milk at home.
Hello liji… as per my experience toned milk will not get that texture
Oh not really sure I used full fat milk that we get here which is toned.You can try with amul toned milk itself…
i just ended up using powdered milk for this and it worked just fine :))
I just ended up using powdered milk and it worked out just fine :))
Can we use paneer as a substitute before adding the curd instead of the wheying process?
Yes you can…just crumble paneer and use it.Fresh paneer is preferred for this recipe
You are my savior!
I hope it comes out as good as it looks here!
hi i was wondering what kind of milk to be used? can i use full cream milk or any kind of milk will do, what are the kinds of milk can i use?? i'm confused… thanks.
I used full fat milk….which will yield more cream cheese
Hi dear read ur cream cheese recp an intend to do the same. just wld like to knw can i use this on red velvett cake?. Pls reply
I am not really sure , I have tried using it for cheese cake and it worked fine for me.Do give a try and see
Hi… Made Ur cream cheese … N it turned out awesome … Thank u
Wow!!
I never thought one could make cream cheese at home… This is great. Going to try it this weekend. 😉 thanks.
Hi, found your recipe and I'm surprised to see such an easy method! Indeed, cream cheese is expensive and good that we get to make it at home.
I just wanted to know, have you tried using this in any baked cheesecake? I'm thinking of trying but am not sure how to go about with a baked cheesecake.
hi sharmi,
thanks for sharing the recipe,but can it be used as the creme cheese which is used to stabilize the whipped cream??i love baking but unfortunately using gelatine(so that it doesnt melt away) creates a lot problem while piping for me.thnking of giving creme cheese or pudding instant mix a try.any idea??
Oh I am not sure of it as I have used homemade cream cheese only for making cheese cake…Havent experimented much
thanks i always wanted cheese with bicuits!!!!!
Hey I used 250 gms of fresh paneer to which I added 2 tbsp curd but still it's giving me the paneer feel instead of cream cheese ……any comment on it?
Oh not really sure Svetha, I followed the exact procedure as mentioned in the orginal recipe.May be you can try adding cream for a richer version.
Thank a millions
Hi mam,
I am just 18 years & i have a passion for cooking and on surfing i found your website which i am following……….As i am in rural area could u plz suggest me some websites for online shopping to get some peculiar stuffs like choco chip..etc….
I am not really sure, havent tried online shopping for buying these items….
Hey Sharmilee……the recipe sounds really nice! What i wanted to know was in your notes you have mentioned for a richer version add cream….at what stage of making should one add the cream? Pls reply as soon as you can. Thanks a lot!
Add the cream just before transferring to muslin cloth….mix well before you transfer
YOU , Sharmilee, are a LIFE SAVER !
I'm an avid baker, if you see my blog : http://eyeoftheia.wordpress.com/category/dessert-im-a-dessertarian/
And Cream Cheese is my FAVOURITE kind of frosting. But the Britannia one is watery and salty costs Rs. 200 for 180gms. And Philadelphia , Gee, just TOO expensive. And we all know that ONE package cream cheese is just not enough !
I've been dying to make these Red Velvet Cheesecake Swirl Brownie Bars that I found a recipe for, but I couldn't find any cream cheese in the stores near my place, and I'm really tired of whipping out 400-800 rupees every time I want to make a decently size dessert which requires cream cheese!
SO THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH !!!
I'm going to get to this on Sunday! 🙂
Love to you x
I need 500 g of cream cheese how much milk should I use?
I didn't measure the quantity so not really sure…..
How to avoid the grainy texture. ..
I get it every time I use this recipe
How can I avoid it or correct it
Just blend it until smooth thats all
Hi Sharmilee :), thank you for such an easy and genuine recipe.
hi sharmilee, this looks easy. its like making paneer except the dahi part. can we make creamcheese by mixing dahi in paneer and letting it rest?
You can try and see Mansi….
What about the vinegar? Its mentioned up in the ingredients to not mentioned in which step it should be added
It is lemon juice or vinegar, I used lemon juice
Hi sharmille, hmm i do not have a mixer… wat can u advice?. Thank you!
You can try with a blender…
Hi Sharmi,
Thank you for the awesome recipe…
just a query… after the prep, shd it b refrigerated or freezed. …
thanks in advance..
Hugs
Catherine
Just refrigeration is enough……
Thank u so much for the immediate reply…
can i make cheesecake with this?
Yes you can….
can I make red velvet cake with this.?
You can try…..
Was searching for an easy cream cheese recipe…came across this n tried it… Came out really well… Thanks for posting.. 😀
Thanks for sharing dis receipe … i tried it n everyone loved it.
Ur receipe worked so well….thanks for sharing …
Don't throw out the whey! Highly nutritious and useful in baking.
hi sharmi.. can i use fresh milk in making cream chesse? pls. reply
Boil it and use it….
Can i bake this cheese?can i make cheesecake with this?
I haven't tried baking but have used in cheese cake and it worked
thanks for reply
Hello
Thank u so much for the home made cream cheese recipe. I made baked nutella cheese cake and it was so delicious .Thanks
Hi
Hope u r doing good . I just have a query. Do u have any tip about not to make ice crystal in home made ice cream . and any good recipe of home made ice cream with out machine.
Thanks .Waiting for ur reply .
Beating it again and again in intervals is the only way…..Else use fresh condensed milk combo which I will post soon
Hi Sharmi i love ur recipes! Being a journalist my how and why skills alwys want me to try out stuff at home instead of just buying from the store and assembling! Also making at home is very cost effective. I have been looking fr this all along..thank u sooo much for this delectable recipe! I'm surely going to give it a try on a red velvet cake for my parents anniversary!
Hi sarmi,
thank you for the recipe. I search for homemade cream cheese, and i found this. Where i lived now there was no cream cheese but i love to cook and baking, so from you i can make a cheese cake.
anyway, i wanna ask you, in another recipe for making homemade sour cream i also found the same exactly recipe with this one, cream cheese. I never taste both these cream, but i have made cream cheese from your recipe and it tasted plained, and also little bit sour. Is that the cream cheese taste really like? What about the sour cream? Would you explain to me. Thank you for your kindly heart to make it very clear to me?
I have no idea too as I havent tasted raw cream cheese…havent tasted sour cream too so no sure Ika
Hi, At what stages should one use 1/4 cup cream to get a richer version?
Add it in step 4
Great recipe! For sure if we make cream cheese ourselves, it's way better that this from the store. For those of you, who are afraid of fat or cholesterol i would recomment checking Cream cheese substitute page. You will find something matching for yourself. Peace!
Hello sharmili, I made cream cheese with yr recipe. Then used it to make Cream Cheese Swirl Brownie, it turned out awesome.
Hi Sharmilee,
I have been following your website and trying out quite a few of your recipes! I am so delighted to find such an easy recipe for Cream cheese here….Its awesome…thanks so much for posting this!
Warm Regards,
Vishakha
Hi Sharmilee
Was wondering if you used the UHT or pasteurised milk? as these has different effects during cheese making.
Thanks
I used Aavin full cream milk
Thank you, will surely try it 🙂
Hey. .thnq sooooooo much. This is really easy and helpful. Love ur recipes.
Hi sharmilee.. can I use this v
cream cheese for pasta?
Yes you can add it to white sauce pasta
Thank you so much for sharing this! 🙂
its a big relief as finding a good quality and cheaper cream cheese is very difficult..
Making cream cheese is so easy.. thank you so much for sharing
Hi. Thanks for sharibg. My only question. Can i make a baked cheese cake with this homemade cream cheese
Not really sure whether it will work, you can give a try and see
can i use this cream cheese for red velvet cake frosting
Yes
Hello. I tried making this. The lime flavour dominated the cream cheese 🙁 I did wash it as instructed. is there anything else I could do?
Oh may be use it for any curry, or any lemon based desserts
Hi.can we use this recipe for cream cheese frosting? Pls reply
Yes you can
How much cream cheese does your recipe make?
Makes 1 cup
Wonderful recipe. Have been looking and there it is. Shall try and let you knw for sure. Thanks Sharmi.
No sugar needed???
Mate, this is a fantastic cream cheese recipe i have found on google. Looks amazing! I'm making this at home! Thanks so much for sharing!
Hi Sharmilee, I Can't thank you enough. Your blog is a treasure trove of recipes.You've mentioned in your note at the bottom to "add 1/4 cup of cream for a richer version". Could you please specify when to add the cream?
Thanks much for the recipe. could you please specify when to add the 1/4 cup cream that you mentioned in your notes?
You can add it in step 4 whisk it well and use it
Hey Sharmilee, when do I add the cream to it? Do I add along with the curd? TIA!!
Thank you so much for the recipe.. I've been looking for this for a very long time.. Thank you again.. but someone please help me in explaining why my yield is very less? I'm getting 115 gm to 122 gms on different qualities of milk. The 122 gm yield is from milk freshly squeezed from a cow. Please help..
wow interesting recipe 🙂 Your instagram posts made me visit your blog and i found many good recipes 🙂 Lovely pictures too.. Will try this out
Hie, nice recipe. But I would like to know why you added curd ?
Hi sharmi… nice recipe will definitely try it … my son loves cakes.. cream cheese is very easily available in US… but in india i was not sure about availability. But looks like this recipe came out for another celebration.. thanks
Just one question is 1TBS curd is enough oufor that texture?
yes it is enough
Yah its really a unique way to make cream cheese. This is really new to me. I will surely try. Thanks for your idea.
Hi Sharmilee I tried it today, I think I have added little more curd, it has slight smell of it and also it is little paste like. Couldn’t get a mass like cream cheese. What to do with it now. Can I still use it in layering cakes?? Can I make cheese cake out of it. Since I am not a regular Baker I can’t think of anything. I wanted to try a cheese cake. If you can suggest something , will be glad to know. Thank you💖
I think you can because the flavouring will mask the curd taste
Can we freeze leftover cheese?
You can but consume it atleast within a week.
Thank you so much. Please can we see the cheesecake you eventually made with this homemade cheese??
Or please tell me how it turned out or tag me please. Its so expensive here!
I havent tried it…will post it when I try