Remember the cream cheese shortage at the end of 2021 that extended through 2022?? I do, and if it ever happens again or if you prefer homemade, this cream cheese recipe is as easy as it is delicious! Add your favorite flavors and voila…. Flavored cream cheese for your bagel! Also, cream cheese is getting crazy expensive, this is a more inexpensive way to make that perfectly flavored cream cheese spread for your bagel.
Ingredients
Whole milk, heavy cream, filtered water, lemon juice, Kosher salt.
Variations: Mix with Salmon and dill, sun dried tomato with basil and oregano. Sharp cheddar, bacon and green onion. Garlic and chives. Green onion and chives.
Ingredients
1/2 gal 1/2 whole milk, NOT ultra pasteurized milk
1/2 pint 1/2 heavy Cream plus 1 tbsp
1/2 pint 1/2 filtered water
1 1/2 tsp 1 1/2 Kosher salt
1/4 cup 1/4 bottled lemon juice
- Mix ins for flavored cream cheese
1-2 cloves 1-2 Garlic, minced
2 tbsp 2 fresh herbs, minced such as chives, parsley, basil, green onions, dill, tarragon, oregano
2 tbsp 2 bacon, cooked &chopped , cheddar cheese, grated
2 tbsp 2 seasoning mix, such as ranch
2 tbsp 2 smoked salmon, minced
2 tbsp 2 Sun dried tomato, minced
Directions
- Make the Ricotta first: In a large pot ad milk, cream, water and salt. Cook on low until it reaches 200°.
Turn heat off and stir in lemon juice well. Let set untouched for 15 minutes. Then line a fine sieve with cheese cloth and strain ricotta, Try to get most the whey out. - While cheese is still warm, put into a food processor with 1 tbsp of heavy cream and blend for 3 to 4 minutes until smooth. Add in your choice of ingredients to make a flavored cream cheese if desired. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before use.
