11 Cream Cheese Substitutes to Try if You're All Out of Schmear

Neufchâtel Cheese

Cream cheese's lower-fat cousin is often used interchangeably with regular cream cheese and works beautifully in most cream cheese recipes.

Greek Yogurt

Plain Greek yogurt has the same creaminess and tang as cream cheese—and straining it overnight gives it a more solid texture. It's a great alternative for many recipes requiring cream cheese.

Mascarpone Cheese

This sweeter, creamier cheese is an easy swap in most recipes—in fact, cream cheese is often cited as a mascarpone substitute. If you miss the tang, add a little squeeze of lemon.

Vegan Cream Cheese

Vegan cream cheese is a good substitute (we love Kite Hill, in particular). For best results in baking, use a recipe specifically for vegan cheese. (The manufacturers' websites have some great options!)

Labneh

This tasty, creamy Middle Eastern cheese made of thickened yogurt is a wonderful replacement for cream cheese. (Try our tasty labneh dip recipe.)

Cottage Cheese

The texture may not seem right, but a quick whirl in the blender or food processor gives cottage cheese a smoother texture. Add lemon for a little tang and drain in a cheesecloth if it's still too runny. (Using full-fat cottage cheese helps with thickness.)

Ricotta Cheese

Just like cottage cheese, this swap requires a little effort to be cream-cheese perfect. Blend, drain, and add a squeeze of lemon and a few pinches of salt to make it more cream cheese-like. Bonus: Make ricotta cheese at home with milk and ingredients you probably already have on hand.

Silken Tofu

Another plant-based alternative to cream cheese, silken tofu needs a little lemon and salt to achieve the same flavor profile. For cheesecake, swap your usual recipe for a vegan one that calls for tofu.

Goat Cheese

Goat cheese tends to be more crumbly than cream cheese. For it to work as a substitute, mix in a little heavy cream to get that cream cheese consistency.

Cashews

Nuts seem like an odd choice to replace cream cheese, but once they're softened and blended, you get that same creamy texture. To soften cashews: Soak them overnight or, if you're in a hurry, soak them in boiling water for 30 minutes. (Check out our cashew ricotta recipe, which makes a nice substitute.)

Many vegan cheesecake recipes use softened cashews—and it's best to follow one of those rather than your favorite dairy cheesecake recipe.

Sour Cream

Sour cream makes a great cream cheese substitute in dips and spreads—but it may not be suitable for dessert recipes.