An easy recipe for making your own American Cheese at home!
Prep time: PT20M
Total time: PT200M
Rating
4.33 stars (59 reviews)
Keywords
easy recipe, homemade cheese
Ingredients
1½ teaspoons unflavored gelatin
1 tablespoon water
12 ounces Colby cheese (shredded fine (about 3 cups))
1 tablespoon whole dry milk powder
1 teaspoon salt
⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar
½ cup + 2 tablespoons whole milk
Categories
Cheese
Cuisine
American
Steps
1. Line a 5x4-inch disposable aluminum loaf pan with plastic wrap, using enough so that excess hangs over the sides.
2. Sprinkle the gelatin over the water in a small cup and let sit until the gelatin softens, about 5 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, pulse together the shredded cheese, dry milk powder, salt and cream of tartar in a food processor until combined, about 3 pulses.
4. Bring the milk to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and immediately whisk in the softened gelatin until it is completely dissolved and the mixture is smooth.
5. Turn the food processor on so it is running, then slowly add the hot milk mixture to the cheese mixture until smooth, about 1 minute, scraping down the bowl as needed.
6. Immediately transfer the cheese to the prepared pan. Working quickly, pack the cheese firmly into the loaf pan to eliminate most air pockets, then smooth the top. Fold the overhanging plastic tightly against the surface of the cheese and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. The cheese can be stored in the refrigerator, wrapped tightly in plastic wrap, for up to 1 month.
Nutitrion
Serving Size: 1 serving
Calories: 1473 kcal
Carbohydrates: 17 g
Protein: 91 g
Fat: 115 g
Saturated Fat: 72 g
Cholesterol: 342 mg
Sodium: 4473 mg
Sugar: 10 g
Reviews
Cassie on 2026-05-05 (5 stars): I have been making your recipe here for this cheese for years and it's delicious and never fails. I've seen other recipes but they have complicated ingredients. This one is wonderful. I use a stronger cheddar for a more pronounced flavor but whatever cheese you like would probably work. Yum!
Susan L. on 2024-09-09 (5 stars): I made this cheese today. It was easy as pie to follow and I used my Vitamix because I don't have a food processor. I was a little nervous, but everything came out fine. I'm sure I'll enjoy this cheese. And I know I'll make it again. But my taste buds say it's not American cheese. It's Velveeta. I was hoping for a "Kraft" American cheese recipe. For Velveeta it is spot on! I will make this again. But it's Velveeta. But there's nothing wrong with that! (Y)
Hawwah on 2023-05-17 (5 stars): I made this to use in breakfast burritos. Awesome!
Osman on 2022-05-14 (1 stars): Exactly my thoughts. I want to make Am cheese from scratch, not convert one cheese to another. This is not a good recipe
