How To Make Homemade Cream Cheese

If you've ever wondered how to make homemade cream cheese this post is for you! Homemade cream cheese only has 3 ingredients and is truly so easy to make. It’s smooth and creamy and can be added to SO many recipes and snacks.

Cream Cheese Recipe Ingredients

4 cups whole milk 

2 tablespoon lemon juice

½ teaspoon salt 

Step By Step Instructions

Step 1: Add the cream cheese to a medium-sized pot. Stir it over medium heat until it begins to simmer. 

Step 2: Once the cream cheese is simmering, add 1 tablespoon of lemon juice. Stir for a minute. 

Step 3: Add the next tablespoon of lemon juice after a minute. 

Step 4: Continue stirring until the milk has separated and there are curds at the top of the pot and a yellow liquid at the bottom. 

Step 5: Line a colander with cheesecloth and pour the contents of your pot into the colander, catching the curds. 

Step 6: Allow the curds to cool for about 10-20 minutes. Then add them into a small food processor, along with the salt. 

Step 7: Run the food processor for about 3-5 minutes until the curds come together and the cream cheese loses its graininess. If the cream cheese is grainy, continue running the food processor until it is not. 

Step 8: Store in an airtight container in the fridge until ready to enjoy!

Does This Recipe Taste Similar To Store Bought Cream Cheese?

The main difference between homemade cream cheese and store-bought cream cheese is the texture. Homemade cream cheese is lighter, smoother, and creamier. Store-bought cream cheese has gum that makes the cream cheese dense. The taste of homemade cream cheese, in my opinion, is so much better than store-bought cream cheese.

Expert Tips

• You can add flavorings to this cream cheese recipe if you’d like (cinnamon, jalapeno, herbs, etc) 
• If you don’t have lemon juice, you can use distilled white vinegar in this recipe, though lemon juice works slightly better. 

How To Use This Cream Cheese

You can use homemade cream cheese for a number of recipes. Here are some of my favorite things to use cream cheese in:

• Cream cheese frosting
• Added into your favorite mashed potato recipe (like my creamy instant pot mashed potato recipe)
• As a bagel or bread spread
• To make a delicious sauce like my vegan alfredo sauce recipe and/or my favorite creamy pumpkin alfredo pasta
• On celery to make a delicious and nutritious snack

Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if you boil the milk?

• If you overcook or boil the milk your cream cheese will still be smooth but will taste gritty or grainy.

Can I use any kind of milk?

• Whole milk or pasteurized milk works best to make homemade cream cheese because of the fat content. 

Do I need to use heavy cream?

• You do not need to use heavy cream. However, if you want your cream cheese to be even thicker and creamier you can use equal parts whole milk and heavy whipping cream.

Storage Instructions

Homemade cream cheese will last in the fridge for about 10 days. 

Try this homemade cream cheese with these recipes!

Creamy Pumpkin Alfredo Pasta

Creamy Instant Pot Mashed Potatoes Recipe

Easy Gluten-Free Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting

Ants on a Log Recipe 3 Ways

If you make this homemade cream cheese, or any other recipe on the blog, please let me know how you liked it in the comments below. I absolutely love hearing from you! You can also FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and TikTok for more nourishing recipes like this, and behind-the-scenes cooking and holistic wellness tips!