Out of Cream cheese, one case
Can you substitute goat cheese for cream cheese?
3 options, ranked, with the exact amount
Use Fresh goat cheese (chevre)
Same amount as the cream cheese
Yes, if it is fresh soft goat cheese, the kind sold in a log: use the same amount as the cream cheese. It is tangier, has a distinct goat flavor and is a little drier and more crumbly, so beat in 1 tbsp milk or cream per 4 oz when it has to spread. It suits savory dishes more than sweet ones, and it makes a soft frosting.
- Verdict —
- You'll taste it
- The tweak —
- Bring it to room temperature and beat in 1 tbsp milk or cream per 4 oz until it is smooth and spreadable.
- Best for —
- dips, spreads and stuffed vegetables
One casethe full cream cheese card
Every option, one card
Ranked| # | Substitute | Instead of cream cheese | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fresh goat cheese (chevre)dips, spreads and stuffed vegetables | Same amountYou'll taste it | You'll taste it |
| 2 | Half goat cheese, half mascarponecheesecake | ½ cup goat cheese + ½ cup mascarpone per cupTweak it | Tweak it |
| 3 | Neufchatel cheesefrosting | Same amountWorks | Works |
| Not a swap | Aged goat cheese | not a swapNot for this | Not for this |
Fresh goat cheese (chevre)
sharper and earthier; you will know it is goat cheese
Soft, rindless goat cheese. It is close to cream cheese in texture once softened, with less fat, more tang and an earthy flavor of its own.
- Best for
- dips, spreads and stuffed vegetables, savory tarts, pasta sauces and mashed potatoes, baked cheesecake where the goat flavor is wanted
- Prep
- Bring it to room temperature and beat in 1 tbsp milk or cream per 4 oz until it is smooth and spreadable.
- Contains
- dairy
- Where it fails
- Sweet frostings and plain cheesecake, where the goat flavor comes through and the texture is softer. It also crumbles instead of melting smooth in a hot sauce unless you whisk it in with some of the liquid.
A 4 oz log is about ½ cup.
Half goat cheese, half mascarpone
mild tang with a faint goat note
Mascarpone is rich and has almost no tang; goat cheese is lean and sharp. Together they land close to cream cheese in both richness and flavor.
- Best for
- cheesecake, frosting, sweet fillings
- Prep
- Beat the goat cheese smooth first, then fold in the mascarpone on low speed so it does not turn grainy.
- Contains
- dairy
- Where it fails
- Still softer than cream cheese in a piped frosting. Chill it before using.
Neufchatel cheese
the same tang, slightly less rich
If the goat flavor is wrong for the dish and you can shop, this is the swap that tastes like cream cheese. It is sold in the same block, with about a third less fat.
- Best for
- frosting, cheesecake, any recipe where the flavor should not change
- Contains
- dairy
- Where it fails
- It sets a little softer in no-bake fillings.
Aged goat cheese
strong and sharp
Firm, rinded or crumbled aged goat cheeses are a different product. They are dry and strong, and they do not beat smooth.
- Best for
- salads and cheese boards, not this
- Contains
- dairy
- Where it fails
- Everything cream cheese does: it will not spread, blend into a batter or make a frosting.
Tips for substituting cream cheese
5 tips- Soften the goat cheese at room temperature for 30 minutes before mixing. Cold, it crumbles and leaves lumps.
- For a spread or dip, beat in 1 tbsp milk or cream per 4 oz. Add more a teaspoon at a time until it spreads like cream cheese.
- Goat cheese is tangier than cream cheese. If the recipe adds lemon juice or vinegar, start with half and taste.
- In a hot sauce or soup, whisk the goat cheese with a ladle of the hot liquid first, then stir it in off the heat so it melts smooth.
- Buy the plain log. Herb, garlic and honey versions carry flavors the recipe did not plan for.
Questions
4 questionsCan I use goat cheese in place of cream cheese in cheesecake?
Yes, in the same weight, and the cake will taste of goat cheese: tangy and a little earthy. It bakes and sets well. For a milder cake, use half goat cheese and half cream cheese or mascarpone. Soften and beat the goat cheese smooth before adding the sugar.
Can I make frosting with goat cheese in place of cream cheese?
You can, with a softer and tangier result. Use the same amount, beat it smooth with the butter before adding the sugar, and chill the frosting before spreading. It suits carrot cake and spice cake more than a plain vanilla cake, where the goat flavor stands out.
How much goat cheese replaces an 8 oz block of cream cheese?
8 ounces, which is two of the small 4 oz logs. For a spread, beat in about 2 tablespoons of milk or cream so it is as soft as cream cheese.
Is goat cheese dairy-free?
No. Goat cheese is made from goat's milk, which is dairy and contains lactose and milk proteins. For a dairy-free swap, use a plant-based cream cheese.