Mascarpone Cheese Substitute: 14 Easy Alternatives + DIY Recipe

If you are looking for a mascarpone cheese substitute for tiramisu or any other dessert, consider this your ultimate guide. There are, in fact, many great mascarpone cheese alternatives from cream cheese, heavy cream, a mix of cream cheese and heavy cream, full-fat sour cream, crème fraîche, ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, requeson cheese, full-fat greek yogurt, English clotted cream, vegan mascarpone, silken tofu and vegan cream cheese, coconut cream and lemon juice or even my easy homemade mascarpone recipe!

Whether you've run out or are working around a dietary preference, I've gathered all the information you need to choose a suitable alternative to mascarpone.

What can I use as a substitute for mascarpone cheese?

First, consider why you need a mascarpone cheese substitute - is it for dietary purposes to avoid dairy, to lower the fat content in your dish, or simply because you have run out?

Each of these options is worth exploring and experimenting with since they do work wonders in many recipes!

1. Cream cheese

Using full-fat cream cheese as a mascarpone alternative is the obvious choice, although their flavor profile are not exactly the same. Cream cheese has a much tangier flavor and will therefore work well as a suitable substitute for mascarpone in cheesecake. You will be compromising on some sweetness, so you may want to add a bit of extra sugar.

2. Heavy cream

Mascarpone cheese is made from cream, so it makes sense that you can use heavy cream as a substitute for mascarpone. However, it has a runnier texture, so a few tweaks need to be made.

How to use it:

Whip high-fat content heavy cream (36%+) until it thickens and chill in the fridge for at least an hour to ensure it is very cold before using heavy cream as a substitute for mascarpone cheese in a 1:1 ratio.

3. Heavy cream and cream cheese together

If you're trying to achieve the same smooth and buttery flavor as well as the thick texture, then mixing cream cheese with heavy cream might be one of the most suitable mascarpone cheese substitutes.

How to use it:

Whip heavy cream (or use heavy whipping cream with 36%+ fat) and mix with cream cheese in a 1-part cream to 3-part cream cheese ratio. Chill before using it to thicken it further. Use it in a 1:1 ratio.

4. Full-fat sour cream

Sour cream is made by fermenting cream and has a high-fat content, making it similarly rich and smooth, but with a much stronger taste, which makes it less well-suited to sweet dishes. As a mascarpone substitute, sour cream can be used mainly in savory dishes.

How to use it:

Sour cream can be used as a mascarpone replacement in equal quantities (1:1 ratio) in savory recipes, but be sure to use full-fat sour cream as low-fat versions contain way too much water.

5. Crème Fraîche

Crème Fraîche is made from soured heavy cream, so it has some similarities. However, it is lower in fat and, as such, does not have quite as thick a texture or as rich a taste as mascarpone cheese. Crème fraîche can be a healthy substitute for mascarpone cheese when stirred into pasta sauces.

How to use it:

Use Crème Fraîche to sub for mascarpone in the exact quantities, in 1:1 ratio.

6. Ricotta Cheese

Ricotta cheese is a good mascarpone cheese substitute in cheesecakes, for example. Ricotta is another delicious cheese often used in desserts like this ricotta pie and is lower in fat than mascarpone and cream cheese, as it is made solely from milk, and no cream. Also from Italy, it is a byproduct made from the leftover whey in the cheesemaking process.

Ricotta is traditionally made from sheep's milk, and sometimes from goat's milk as well, so it can be enjoyed by people with a cow's milk allergy (always check the label).

How to use it:

Blend the ricotta cheese with an immersion blender or electric whisk to get a smooth texture, and then replace the mascarpone cheese with ricotta 1:1.

7. Cottage cheese

Smooth, high-fat content cottage cheese can be a great alternative for mascarpone. Cottage cheese is similar to ricotta in texture but has a less creamy taste. It is lighter and lower in fat, though, so it makes a good low-calorie mascarpone cheese substitute. Some cottage cheese has more of a lumpy texture, which needs to be considered before making the swap and is generally better in savory recipes than sweet.

How to use it:

Like with ricotta, blend the cottage cheese first to remove any lumps and create a smoother texture. Then use it in a 1:1 ratio as a healthy substitute for mascarpone. If using cottage cheese in dessert recipes, you may need to add a little extra sugar.

8. Requeson cheese

Requeson cheese is a Mexican cheese similar to ricotta, but it contains both milk and whey, isn't lumpy, and has a smooth, creamy, and spreadable texture. It has a slightly sweet taste and slightly more moisture than ricotta, too, making it ideal for desserts.

How to use it:

Make a 1:1 substitute when using Requeson as an alternative for mascarpone cheese.

9. Full-fat greek yogurt

If you're looking for a lighter mascarpone substitute, full-fat Greek yogurt can work well. You can use Greek yogurt as a substitute for mascarpone to achieve a creamy and silky texture in dishes, but in a lighter way (like in this mango mousse cake). Greek yogurt is also high in protein, so it has other health benefits, and can add much-needed acidity to cut through intensely sweet dishes.

How to use it:

Substitute mascarpone for yogurt by using the same quantity of full-fat Greek yogurt. If your yogurt is too liquid, strain it through a double layer of cheesecloth to further thicken it.

10. English Clotted Cream

Have you ever had a traditional English cream tea? Then you will have tried clotted cream, which is an incredibly rich, thick, and decadent cream that the British spread onto their version of scones, with strawberry jam. It's made by heating whole milk in a water bath and cooling slowly so that it clots. Clotted cream makes a delicious alternative to mascarpone in desserts, but it has a thicker and even denser texture.

How to use it:

Use clotted cream instead of mascarpone in equal amounts. You may need to skim off the clotted top as well, as this is hard to re-incorporate. Eat it by itself instead!

11. Vegan mascarpone

Many people choose to follow a plant-based diet, perhaps because they are vegan or for health reasons. They may suffer from an allergy or intolerance and need to go dairy-free, but the good news is that there are now plenty of vegan cheese substitutes available in stores or to purchase online.

You can buy vegan mascarpone cheese, which is usually made from blended raw cashew nuts, so it is not suitable for those with a nut allergy.

How to use it:

Use vegan mascarpone cheese in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute for traditional mascarpone cheese.

12. Silken tofu and vegan cream cheese

There are also vegan cream cheeses, but their flavor can be quite strong. One option is to blend them with silken tofu to achieve the right texture, as well as a softer, smoother taste. Again, this mascarpone cheese substitute is not usually suitable for individuals with nut allergies; please check the label.

How to use it:

Blend 3 parts vegan cheese with 1 part silken tofu to substitute tofu and vegan cream cheese for mascarpone.

13. Coconut cream and lemon juice

Coconut cream is thick, smooth, and rich, making it a great plant-based alternative to mascarpone. The coconut flavor is strong; however, use this vegan substitute for mascarpone only in dishes where it will be an asset and not detract from other ingredients. This is a great nut-free vegan alternative to mascarpone.

How to use it:

Blend coconut cream with a squeeze of lemon juice to achieve a smooth consistency, then use it as a direct 1:1 substitute for the quantity of mascarpone cheese in the recipe.

It is essential to remember that mascarpone cheese has a distinct taste and texture, and no substitute can ever be exactly the same in every way. Consider carefully which of mascarpone's properties are the most important in the recipe you're making, and choose your substitute accordingly.

Alternatively, make your own!

Homemade mascarpone cheese recipe

If you're wondering how to make mascarpone cheese for tiramisu, I've got you. Making your own homemade mascarpone cheese is easy, and you only need two ingredients and a bit of time. It's so worth making your own to get that incredibly buttery flavor, and you can season it with salt or a touch of powdered sugar to use in either savory or sweet dishes. Use a thermometer for the most accurate results.

Ingredients for homemade mascarpone cheese

1. 2 cups or 480 grams of heavy cream (at least 40% fat content)
2. 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for the acid)

The recipe yields 300g of mascarpone cheese, equivalent to 1 ¼ cups. You can easily double the recipe by doubling both ingredients.

How to make mascarpone from scratch

1. Heat the cream in a saucepan over medium heat until it reaches a temperature of 185-190°F / 85-87°C, which is just below the point at which it will begin to simmer.
2. Turn the heat down to low and stir in the lemon juice.
3. Whisk gently for 3 minutes, maintaining a temperature of 185-190°F (85-87 °C). The mixture will thicken slightly and coat the back of a spoon.
4. Remove from the heat and allow the mascarpone cream mixture to cool down to room temperature for 2-3 hours.
5. Place a sieve over a bowl and lay a clean kitchen towel over the top. Pour the mascarpone cheese in.
6. You will want to strain the water out of the mixture overnight.
7. Cover the surface of the cream with plastic food wrap to prevent it from forming a skin, and transfer the entire set to the fridge to chill overnight. Any excess water will drop into the bowl and the remaining cream will thicken.

Please note that homemade mascarpone will have a slightly more sour flavor profile than store-bought, simply because of the process of making it. However, when you use it with powdered sugar for tiramisu, the flavor will be perfect, and the texture is incredibly silky.

Use homemade mascarpone cheese in the exact same way you would use store-bought!

So what is the best mascarpone substitute for tiramisu?

Personally, I find that making my own homemade mascarpone cheese from scratch is always the best substitute for mascarpone in tiramisu. However, for a more readily available alternative, in my view, the best is a mixture of cream cheese and heavy cream with added powdered sugar to sweeten it. The heavy cream and sugar will soften the savory taste of the cream cheese somewhat, and the texture is identical to mascarpone once it is whipped.

I have found that vegan mascarpone is the best plant-based alternative for mascarpone, and it works exactly the same way, although the flavor is slightly different. However, it isn't too overpowering considering the deliciously strong flavors of coffee and cocoa in tiramisu that take center stage.

Mascarpone cheese substitute FAQs

Tiramisu recipes to try with my mascarpone alternatives

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