Substitute for Mascarpone in Tiramisu | Ask Nigella.com (2024)

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Substitute for Mascarpone in Tiramisu | Ask Nigella.com? ›

Our answer

In a pinch, yes. They're both soft cheeses with a delicate flavour and an Italian name, but they have significant differences you should be aware of before attempting a substitution: Ricotta contains a lot more water than mascarpone (feels lighter) Mascarpone contains a lot more fat than ricotta (feels heavier, richer)

Yes, cream cheese makes a great substitute for mascarpone. There are two methods to substitute mascarpone: Substitute 1 cup of mascarpone with 1 cup of a cream cheese and whipping cream mixture. To make this mixture, use 1/4 cup of cream for every 8 oz.

Mascarpone. For any sweet recipe, this is a great substitution – cannoli, tiramisu, cheesecake — the sky's the limit. Mascarpone's mild, sweet notes will elevate any dessert. You may need to thin it out a bit, but that's no big deal — just drizzle in some cream and whisk until you get it where you want it to be.

Also for the Tiramisini recipe the mascarpone does not need to be at room temperature, you can just leave it out of the fridge for a couple of minutes to soften slightly as it softens very quickly. If the mascarpone is warm then it is actually easier to over whisk it.

The Best Mascarpone Cheese Substitute

To make this mascarpone substitute, mix together 12 ounces of room temperature cream cheese (1 ½ blocks) with ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream and ¼ cup of sour cream until combined.

Ricotta, made from milk and whey, is a much lighter alternative to cook and bake with; it has about half the calories and fat of mascarpone.

Our answer. Mascarpone is a cream cheese with a high fat content and a slightly sweet taste. It is difficult to find a substitute and regular cream cheese has a lower fat content and a more acidic flavour.

No, mascarpone cheese is not healthier than cream cheese as it contains 25% more fat than cream cheese. Yet mascarpone cheese is only preferred for its extra smooth texture. You can use cream cheese and mascarpone cheese for salty and sweet dishes.

Substituting Mascarpone for Heavy Cream

Often referred to as mascarpone cheese, this thick dairy product has a fat content of about 44%. It's made in a similar way to sour cream and crème fraîche, but is much sweeter and thicker by comparison. It makes a great substitute and you can use it in soups, stews, and sauces.

What can I use in tiramisu instead of Kahlua? ›

If you are looking for an alcohol-free option I would suggest omitting the Kahlua entirely from the coffee mixture and replacing it with coffee in the mascarpone mixture.

Mascarpone: Another Italian cheese, mascarpone makes a great ricotta substitute. However, since mascarpone is more tart and flavorful, you should only use it in dishes with other strong flavors.

The other main reasons the mixture would be runny is if other liquid ingredients have been added first, or if the mascarpone has been beaten so much that it has curdled (then you will get water separating out from the cheese curds).

Chill your tiramisu for at least 6 hours.

As it sits, the ladyfingers soften and absorb the moisture and flavor from the cream. When ready to serve, grate more chocolate over the top (because why not), and then enjoy!

Cream cheese, ricotta cheese, Greek yogurt, or a combination of heavy cream and cream cheese can be used as alternatives in recipes that call for mascarpone. These substitutes may slightly alter the taste and texture of the dish but can work well in a pinch.

Mascarpone cheese is similar to cream cheese but more rich. And the ricotta creates a light and fluffy texture and offsets the richness. It's the perfect combination of cheeses to elevate your cheesecake. To further level-up this cheesecake, this recipe incorporates a crust made with granola bars!

Ricotta works well within the full spectrum of baked goods, so as long as you're using your imagination, you'll never run out of ideas for putting it to use. The bottom line is: If a baked good calls for cream cheese, then it can be substituted for ricotta.