You may know of mascarpone as the creamy, luscious ingredient in tiramisu—but what is mascarpone? How else is mascarpone used? Is it cheese, cream, or both? Keep reading for answers to all your frequently asked questions, as well as some serious recipe inspiration that will have you rushing to the store to stock up.
What Is Mascarpone Cheese?
Mascarpone cheese is a soft Italian double or triple cream cheese. It typically has 60-75% fat content, depending on the producer, which gives it a super spreadable, silky consistency. Mascarpone cheese originated in Abbiategrasso and Lodi in northern Italy. It is a fresh cheese that is most commonly made with pasteurized cow's milk. Unlike some cheeses, which have animal-derived rennet added, mascarpone is vegetarian. It's made by heating heavy cream and adding an acid like tartaric acid (aka cream of tartar), citric acid, or lemon juice to solidify and thicken the cream. Mascarpone is then strained through a cheesecloth to remove excess liquid whey.
What Is Mascarpone Cream?
Mascarpone cream is a traditional Italian whipped topping. It is made by whipping mascarpone cheese with eggs and sugar and is the tangy, velvety layer in tiramisu. In Italy, mascarpone cream is often served alongside pound cake, fresh berries, or an espresso drink. BelGioioso sells its own version of sweetened mascarpone cream known as Crema di Mascarpone.
To make mascarpone cream at home:
- Whisk together 16 ounces of mascarpone cheese and ½ cup sugar until the mixture is light and fluffy.
- Slowly add in 3 egg yolks until creamy.
- For a flavorful, boozy finish, add in 2 tablespoons of rum, brandy, or cognac.
What Does Mascarpone Taste Like?
Mascarpone cheese is often compared to cream cheese, ricotta cheese, crème fraiche, and clotted cream; however, mascarpone is a sweeter and less tangy product than its peers. Mascarpone is slightly sweet with a hint of acidity. Its rich, creamy texture makes it an indulgent addition to both sweet and savory dishes.
Delicious Mascarpone Recipes
Try it in a classic Italian dish, tiramisu, or as the star of the show in creamy mascarpone mashed potatoes. You can also make savory dishes like creamy parmesan risotto and creamy polenta even more decadent by incorporating mascarpone cheese.
For something sweeter, you can add mascarpone cheese to any homemade ice cream base. Mix in 8 ounces of mascarpone to a heated custard before churning for a rich flavor and an extra-creamy consistency. We love it as a zesty complement to lemon meringue pie ice cream.
Where to Buy Mascarpone Cheese
Mascarpone cheese is sold in most commercial and specialty grocery stores. BelGioioso, Galbani, Cello, and Gelmini are the most prevalent producers of mascarpone cheese, and a 16-oz. package of mascarpone cheese costs approximately $8.
FAQs
It is a fresh cheese that is most commonly made with pasteurized cow's milk. Unlike some cheeses, which have animal-derived rennet added, mascarpone is vegetarian. It's made by heating heavy cream and adding an acid like tartaric acid (aka cream of tartar), citric acid, or lemon juice to solidify and thicken the cream.
What makes mascarpone different? ›
Mascarpone contains 70 to 75% milk fat, giving it a smooth, creamy texture and pale ivory color. Unlike other cheeses, mascarpone is made by coagulating cream (rather than milk) with acid and heating it.
What is the description of mascarpone cheese? ›
Mascarpone is an ivory-colored, exceptionally smooth, and easily spreadable fresh cream cheese. The flavor is milky and slightly sweet. The rich, buttery texture comes from the high butterfat content (up to 75 percent).
What is mascarpone and where do you find it? ›
How is Mascarpone cheese made? This Italian cheese originated in the Lombardy region in the Northern part of Italy, bordering Switzerland. The landscape of this part of Italy boasts large lakes and rolling mountainsides that lend to rich alpine pastures, creating some of the richest cow's milk in the country.
Why is mascarpone so good? ›
Mascarpone is made from heavy cream, while cream cheese is made from whole milk. This gives mascarpone its high fat content and richer, creamier texture. The fat content of cream cheese is 30 to 40 percent, compared to mascarpone's whopping 60 to 75 percent fat content.
What is the difference between mascarpone cheese and normal cheese? ›
Unlike some cheeses, which have animal-derived rennet added, mascarpone is vegetarian. It's made by heating heavy cream and adding an acid like tartaric acid (aka cream of tartar), citric acid, or lemon juice to solidify and thicken the cream.
What is mascarpone similar to? ›
Mascarpone has a one-of-a-kind silkiness and a milky flavor profile but ricotta cheese, cottage cheese, full-fat cream cheese, and Requeson cheese are all similar to mascarpone cheese.
What is the American version of mascarpone cheese? ›
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. The whipping cream will cut some of the tanginess of cream cheese while mimicking mascarpone's smooth, velvety texture.
Can you eat mascarpone by itself? ›
Mascarpone cheese isn't very good to eat by itself (imagine eating a spoonful of butter), but it is perfect to use as an ingredient for savory and dessert recipes alike. Next time you want to try out a recipe calling for mascarpone cheese, give this recipe a try!
What to eat mascarpone with? ›
Add a spoonful of softened Mascarpone to omelets and scrambles instead of crème fraîche, add some to your mashed potatoes instead of cream cheese, or add a few spoonfuls to a pan with frying mushrooms instead of sour cream.
Mascarpone is made similarly to American cream cheese, but it uses a base of whole cream rather than milk. Like cream cheese, it is a fresh cheese that is not aged before it is eaten. Cream cheese contains at least 33% milk fat, and mascarpone may contain 60-75% milk fat.
Does mascarpone separate? ›
Fixing curdled mascarpone:One thing I learned while making a Mascarpone Peach Parfait is that mascarpone is very prone to curdling in mixtures if any of the ingredients are different temperatures.
What's the difference between mascarpone and ricotta? ›
Texture: Ricotta has a grainy texture, like cottage cheese, and mascarpone has a smooth, creamy texture, similar to heavy whipping cream. Mascarpone is a more spreadable cheese than ricotta. Taste: Ricotta is brighter and more acidic than mascarpone. Mascarpone has a slightly sweet, milky flavor.
What are some facts about mascarpone cheese? ›
Mascarpone cheese is a rich and creamy Italian cheese that originated in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy. The name 'mascarpone' is believed to have been derived from the Lombard word 'mascarpa,' which means 'quark' in English. It's a triple-cream cheese made from whole cow's milk.
Does mascarpone go bad? ›
Once opened, mascarpone must be consumed within approximately 5-7 days when refrigerated, as it's prone to spoilage due to its high moisture and fat content. Left at room temperature, the cheese should be used within a few hours to prevent bacterial growth and maintain its quality.
Is mascarpone good or bad for you? ›
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.
Is mascarpone healthier than cream? ›
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.
Does mascarpone taste like ricotta? ›
The unique processes result in two very different products—mascarpone is a rich, decadent, and super spreadable cheese with a slight tang. Ricotta, on the other hand, has a lumpy, soft texture and mild, milky flavor.
