The Ultimate Vegan Cream Cheese Recipe!

Vegan cream cheese – creamy, tangy, all the things you love about cream cheese!  

A few simple ingredients are needed for the ultimate dairy-free cream cheese!

Perfect slathered on crackers, as a spread (add your favorite herbs or seasonings), on baked potatoes, or licked off the spoon!  

 

 

Ingredients For This Vegan Cream Cheese Recipe:

• Raw unsalted cashews
• Fresh lemon juice
• Apple cider vinegar
• Sea salt
• Water
• Optional – dried herbs such as chives, fresh herbs to flavor cream cheese.

How To Make Vegan Cream Cheese:

Step 1 – Gather your ingredients.

Step 2 – Place cashews in a heatproof bowl and add boiling/very hot water to cover them.  Soak for at least 10 minutes.  

 

Step 3 – Drain and rinse the cashews.  They should have a softened appearance.

Step 4 – Place all the ingredients in a small food processor or high-speed blender.

 

Step 5 – Blend until smooth and creamy.  In the below photo, you can see the stages the mixture goes through to get to the creamy stage.

Step 6 – Once creamy, add a little water to thin out if needed.  And check for seasonings; salt, herbs, etc…

• Makes a great dip with sliced veggies, crackers, spread on bagels, etc…

Serve with  Paleo Crackers. (also vegan).  The grain-free crackers are low carb, easy to make and versatile.  I often add herbs, sesame seeds or sprinkle some sea salt on them.  Also, try spreading some almond butter and jam on those crackers. Yum!

Homemade Vegan Cream Cheese:

1. It does not have additives of store-bought vegan cream cheese.
2. It can be made conveniently at home anytime.
3. You can add your favorite flavorings; chives, freshly chopped herbs, etc….

What Is The BEST Vegan Cream Cheese?

• Made with vegan products but has the taste and consistency of traditional dairy cream cheese (and is easy to make!).

What Is Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Made Of:

• This recipe uses cashews and liquid to achieve a delicious cream cheese.
• Some recipes use tofu, dairy-free yogurt, other nuts – all viable options depending on what you want to use.

How Long Does Dairy-Free Cream Cheese Last?

• It lasts about a week stored in the refrigerator.

Tips For Making Cashew Cream Cheese:

1. Use raw unsalted cashews.
2. Before consuming, let is sit in the refrigerator for a few hours.  
3. Add some (2-3 tablespoons) unsweetened dairy-free yogurt to add some creaminess if desired.
4. Serve with vegan chips, sliced veggies (carrot and celery are delicious), 
5. Thin out with some water, add some chopped herbs for a fabulous dip.
6. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
7. You might need to add water and stir to combine when removing from the refrigerator to thin out. (I usually don’t, but on occasion do.)
8. An alternate method to hot/boiling water method is to cover and soak cashews for four hours (then drain and rinse and follow directions).

Vegan Dip:

• Add your favorite flavorings, a variety of chopped vegetables, or vegan crackers and you’ve got a tasty dip!

Cream Cheese Flavors:

1. Chive and onion – simply add about a tablespoon of dried or fresh chives, and a teaspoon of finely diced onion and mix well.
2. Fresh herbs – add a combination of freshly chopped herbs – about a tablespoon and mix well. 
3. Add a pinch of garlic powder and mix well.

Cashew Recipes:

• Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Truffles
• Cashew Cream
• Cashew Butter

Vegan Cream Cheese Frosting:

• I am in the kitchen testing recipes and hope to have one soon!

Vegan Recipes:

• Vegan Scalloped Potatoes
• Gluten-Free Pizza Crust
• Vegan Waffles Recipe
• Gluten-Free Vegan Brownies
• Vegan Donuts (chocolate)
• Maple Pecans
• And many more —-> Vegan Recipes

 

 

 

Update Notes:  This post was originally published on September 14, 2016, but was republished with an updated recipe, new photos, step by step instructions and photos, success tips and a video in November 2018.