Homemade Cream Cheese

Learn how to make cream cheese at home with these easy instructions. All you need is three ingredients to make this rich cream cheese.

Rating

4.92 stars (35 reviews)

creamcheese

In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat 4 cups of milk on medium-high heat. Stir milk constantly until it starts to simmer and then boil for a bit.
Reduce the heat to medium. Add the lemon juice 1 tablespoon at a time with a minute in-between. Continue cooking and you will see it curdling.
Stir constantly till the mixture has separated completely, this should take just a few minutes. There will be a green liquid on the bottom and thick curdles on top. Remove from the heat. This all happens real quick. I am talking only a couple of minutes.
Place a strainer with a cheesecloth over a large bowl. Pour the curd mixture into the sieve. Let it strain and get rid of the whey, then let the curds cool for about 15 minutes.
Transfer the curds to a food processor or blender and mix until they are now a totally smooth and creamy creation. It will take around 3 to 4 minutes. Keep going if your cream cheese is grainy.
Add salt, mix, and taste. Add more if you want more flavor. Now is when you can add herbs too, like garlic or any other flavors you like.
Store this cream cheese in the fridge. Use it within 7 days, but if stored properly it will probably keep for up to 2 weeks.

A breeding on 2024-08-08 (3 stars):
mine tastes more just like cottage cheese
Robin on 2024-07-27 (5 stars):
I just made this and it turned out great! My question is- did I use too much lemon juice? It kind of has a lemon after taste but I only used two tablespoons. Thanks!
Dee Dee on 2024-04-11 (5 stars):
Hello, thanks for the recipe. Can I use coconut milk or coconut cream instead of milk?
Yogirider on 2024-03-06 (5 stars):
It's about the quantity for me. I can't eat all of a 8 oz. package from the store before it goes bad, so, I make a portioned size that I can use before it does. I wish I could buy individual portion size packets at the store.
Faridamel on 2024-02-16 (5 stars):
I just want to know if it should be only fresh milk or store-bought milk?
Bobbi Raffin on 2023-11-08 (4 stars):
I tried this tonight, but it turned into ricotta instead of cream cheese. lol Still pretty yummy, but no cream cheese. I'm sure I messed it up. :) It was fun though. I'll be giving it another try for sure. ~ Bobbi
Evelyn Arnold on 2022-12-30 (5 stars):
This is probably the best recipe I have found yet! I use a lot of cream cheese and ALWAYS finding myself running out. Never again! Thank you thank you
LORI on 2022-04-13 (5 stars):
I AM DEFINITLY GOING TO TRY THIS! THANK YOU FOR THIS RECIPE. ITS A KEEPER!