Mascarpone recipe | Gourmet Traveller recipe (2024)

Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for mascarpone.

Jan 21, 2011 12:27am

By Lisa Featherby

  • 5 mins preparation
  • 15 mins cooking plus cooling, chilling, setting
  • Serves 6
  • Mascarpone recipe | Gourmet Traveller recipe (1)

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Mascarpone, the spreadable, whiskable, versatile Italian cream cheese, is simple to make. Unlike hard cheeses, it requires no difficult-to-obtain culture or humidity-controlled storage area, and the process of transforming the simplest of dairy ingredients into something luscious is immensely satisfying.

Traditionally, raw milk is the starting point for making mascarpone. The milk is left to stand overnight at cool room temperature, during which time the cream naturally rises to the surface of the milk and acquires a slight tartness from the bacteria that grow spontaneously in the milk. The resulting cultured cream is then mixed with an equal quantity of whole milk, heated, acidified (usually with tartaric acid), and drained.

A more practical method, given that raw milk isn't available for sale in Australia, is to use natural cream with no thickening agents, as we've done here. The resulting mascarpone doesn't have the flavour of cultured cream, but it nevertheless reflects the characteristics of the cream used, whether it's grassy or more neutral, organic or conventional, from King Island or from the local supermarket.

We recommend using heavy cream, because its fat content (45 per cent) will result in a thick, rich mascarpone. You could use a regular pouring cream with a fat content of 35 per cent, but the result won't be as rich, and you'll need to spend more time draining the whey to achieve the thick consistency you're after.

To acidify, we've used lemon juice. Other recipes call for vinegar or tartaric acid - they all work, although the proportions needed are a little different.

Gently heat the cream to 80C, and then add the lemon juice, enough to coagulate the cream but not so much as to result in sourness. Leave the mixture to stand at room temperature to cool gently and then refrigerate it until the mixture coagulates and resembles large, soft, gel-like curds.

Drain the mixture in a sieve lined with four layers of muslin placed over a bowl. This is a gentle way of separating the thick curds from the watery whey, and results in mascarpone of spoonable consistency. The longer it drains, the thicker the mascarpone will be, but overnight is usually sufficient. By making mascarpone yourself, you can control the texture of the finished product: a lighter version is nice for a tiramisù or a fruit tart filling, while a richer, creamier style is perfect for stirring through a wild mushroom risotto.

As there are no preservatives involved, homemade mascarpone is highly perishable and will turn sour after only a few days, so start your cheese-making three days before you need the mascarpone, and serve it within two days. Not that this is likely to be a problem - it'll be almost impossible to resist the urge to eat it straight away.

Ingredients

  • 600 ml heavy cream (45% fat)
  • 1½ tbsp lemon juice

Method

Main

Notes

Note You'll need to begin this recipe 2 days ahead; it makes 2 cups.

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Mascarpone recipe | Gourmet Traveller recipe (2024)

FAQs

What's the difference between mascarpone cheese and mascarpone cream? ›

The difference between mascarpone cheese and cream is mascarpone cream is made from mascarpone cheese, eggs, and sugar that are whipped together. The result is the whipped topping that's used to make tiramisu.

What can I use mascarpone for? ›

Mascarpone can be used in savoury and sweet dishes. It is good for stirring through savoury sauces to thicken and add a distinct rich flavour. Serve it with fresh fruit, use it in cheesecakes, as a cake filling, or as a topping for desserts.

What if I don't have enough mascarpone for tiramisu? ›

However you could try beating together 225g (8 ounces) full fat cream cheese with 60ml (4 tablespoons/1/4 cup) double or whipping cream and 30g (1 ounce/2 tablespoons) softened unsalted butter until just blended. This will give the equivalent of around 300g (10 ounces/1 1/4 cups) mascarpone.

What is the difference between mascarpone and 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.

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.

Can you use Philadelphia cream cheese instead of mascarpone? ›

Can I Use Cream Cheese as a Mascarpone Substitute? 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.

How long does mascarpone last once opened? ›

Keep refrigerated 0°C to +5°C. Not suitable for freezing. Once opened, consume within 3 days.

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!

Can you eat mascarpone straight? ›

Straight up: Spoon some Mascarpone into a small bowl, drizzle with honey, and scatter some fresh fruit on top. This creamy and buttery cheese also makes a great dip for strawberries, raspberries, or any other seasonal fruit.

Can I use Philadelphia cheese instead of mascarpone for tiramisu? ›

Philadephia cheese has a more acidic taste and a consistency that make it suitable for cheesecake but absolutely not for tiramisu. Its very easy to make mascarpone at home (500g fresh cream, 10g lemon juice and 82 degrees centigrade) so look up one of the dozens of recipes and don't try to substitute it.

Why is my tiramisu so watery? ›

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).

Why is my tiramisu falling apart? ›

Ensure the coffee is cool as it can cause the sponge fingers to absorb too much liquid and it will disintegrate. Also… Be quick, submerge for 3- seconds total. Any longer and it will go too soggy and fall apart.

What is the closest cheese to mascarpone? ›

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.

Can I use Greek yogurt instead of mascarpone? ›

Full-fat greek yogurt is another great substitute for mascarpone cheese. Like sour cream and crème fraîche, greek yogurt is cultured, giving it a tangy flavour. Keep in mind that yogurt tends to separate when heated to high temperatures, so I do not recommend using this in a recipe that will be cooked in the oven.

Can I use sour cream instead of mascarpone? ›

8 ounces of full-fat cream cheese blended with 1/4 cup of heavy cream and 2 tablespoons of full-fat sour cream make a decent replacement for mascarpone.

Can I substitute mascarpone for cream? ›

Sour Cream, Crème Fraîche, or Mascarpone

These three ingredients can be used in place of heavy cream with a one-to-one substitution with just a few caveats. Sour cream will add tanginess to your dish, and if you use it for soups or other hot dishes, it's best to add it in at the end to avoid curdling.

Is mascarpone cheese the same as cream cheese in tiramisu? ›

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.

What can be substituted for mascarpone cheese? ›

Crème Fraîche and sour cream bring unique tastes and handle heat like pros. Then there's ricotta, Mascarpone's flavor buddy, perfect for cheesecakes and spreads. Cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese are also the go-to for rich textures.

What is a good substitute for mascarpone cheese? ›

Mascarpone Cheese Substitute
  • Cream cheese.
  • Heavy cream.
  • Heavy cream and cream cheese together.
  • Full-fat sour cream.
  • Crème Fraîche.
  • Ricotta Cheese.
  • Cottage cheese.
  • Requeson cheese.
Jan 2, 2023

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