Description
Silky homemade cream cheese brings pure culinary magic to your kitchen with minimal ingredients and simple techniques. Smooth, tangy, and infinitely spreadable, this fresh cheese elevates breakfast toast, bagels, and baked goods with irresistible homemade charm.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 4 cups whole milk
- 3–4 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
Seasoning:
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
Instructions
- Heat whole milk in a robust, thick-bottomed pot until it reaches a gentle, bubbling simmer at medium-high temperature.
- Remove pot from heat and introduce freshly squeezed lemon juice, stirring delicately with a perforated utensil to encourage rapid curd formation.
- Allow mixture to rest for 2-3 minutes, observing the clear separation between white curds and translucent whey.
- Position a fine-mesh strainer lined with clean cheesecloth over a large bowl, then carefully pour the entire mixture into the lined strainer.
- Gather the edges of the cheesecloth and gently press to expel excess liquid, creating a compact bundle of soft curds.
- Transfer the drained curds into a food processor, sprinkle with kosher salt, and pulse until achieving a silky, uniform consistency (approximately 2-3 minutes).
- Scoop the freshly processed cream cheese into an airtight container and refrigerate for a minimum of 30 minutes to enhance flavor and texture.
- Serve chilled, spreading on bagels, toast, or using as a versatile ingredient in various culinary preparations.
Notes
- Choose whole milk for a richer, creamier texture that enhances the final spread’s luxurious feel.
- Use fresh lemon juice instead of bottled for a brighter, more vibrant flavor profile that elevates the cream cheese.
- Experiment with herbs like chives or dill mixed into the final blend to create exciting gourmet variations that transform the basic recipe.
- Allow the cream cheese to sit at room temperature for 15 minutes before serving to soften and improve spreadability, making it perfect for bagels or toast.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Breakfast, Snacks, Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Boiling
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 142 kcal
- Sugar: 12 g
- Sodium: 150 mg
- Fat: 8 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0.3 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 0 g
- Protein: 7 g
- Cholesterol: 30 mg