Learn how to make homemade cream cheese from scratch with just two main ingredients: whole milk and lemon! This recipe is highly customizable, and instructions are also provided for Honey Cinnamon Cream Cheese and Pickle Cream Cheese variations.
How to make cream cheese from scratch:
1. In a large pot, warm up 5 cups of whole milk over medium heat until it feels like bath water.
2. Stir in the juice of 1 lemon (approximately 3 tbsp). Cover, turn off the heat, and let this sit for 5 minutes.
3. Once it has curdled, pour through a cheesecloth lined sieve to strain out the curds. Let it sit for 15 minutes to continue straining. Squeeze out any excess liquid using your hands.
4. Transfer the curds + 1/4 tsp of salt to a food processor and blend until smooth and creamy. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Honey Cinnamon Cream Cheese:
In a small mixing bowl, mix together 1 cup of homemade cream cheese, 2 tbsp honey, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, and a pinch of salt until smooth.
Pickle Cream Cheese:
In a small mixing bowl, mix together 1 cup of homemade cream cheese, 1/4 cup finely diced pickle, and 1 tsp of chopped dill until well combined.
