We’ve all experienced the delicious tang that cream cheese adds to foods.
It’s widely used as an ingredient in scrumptious desserts like cheesecake or as a spread over the top of a warm, toasty bagel – it’s hard to beat!
However, cream cheese is one of those ingredients that you might not keep on hand very often. Another problem is that cream cheese, like all other fresh cheese, is perishable. Once you slice into it, the clock starts running so if you’re not able to use it up quickly; it winds up going to waste.
The good news is that food technology has come a long way and today, it seems like almost everything is available in a freeze-dried or powdered form.
From powdered milk, to powdered potatoes and even powdered food coloring, there’s something to meet almost any need.
Not only do powdered foods offer longer shelf lives than their fresh counterparts but the taste profiles are quite comparable and one that’s grown a lot in recent years is cream cheese powder.
In this article, we’ll talk about this tasty and easy-to-use ingredient. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll wonder why you’ve waited so long to try it out!
What Is Cream Cheese Powder?
Simply, cream cheese powder is cream cheese that has been dehydrated, usually with low heat methods, or air drying the cheese into a slurry spray. Other ingredients in cream cheese powder might include carob bean gum and enzymes as preservatives. Once the cream cheese has been dehydrated, it’s packaged in plastic bags, reusable plastic jugs or cans.
How Long Does Powdered Cream Cheese Last?
The shelf life of powdered cream cheese is usually between 10-12 months. As always, you want to be sure and check manufacturer’s labels. Best of all, cream cheese powder doesn’t require refrigeration like fresh cream cheese does.
How Much Cream Cheese Powder Does It Take to Make Cream Cheese?
Recommendations for reconstituting cream cheese powder varies slightly from one manufacturer to the next but we’ve got some general recommendations for you.
To make three ounces of cream cheese, use approximately ten tablespoons (about 3/4 cups) of cream cheese powder and three tablespoons of water. This will result in a yield of about 3/4 cups of reconstituted cream cheese.
To make eight ounces of cream cheese, use approximately twenty-eight tablespoons of cream cheese powder (about 1 3/4 cups) and a half a cup of water. This will result in a yield of about two cups of reconstituted cream cheese.
To make sixteen ounces of cream cheese, use approximately thirty-six tablespoons of cream cheese powder (about 2 1/4 cups) and a cup of water. This will result in a yield of about four cups of reconstituted cream cheese.
If you’re going to be using cream cheese powder as a replacement in recipes, you’ll want to use a 2:1 substitution ratio of cream cheese powder to milk or water until the desired consistency is achieved.
Amount of Cream Cheese | Cream Cheese Powder | Water | Yield of Reconstituted Cream Cheese |
---|---|---|---|
3 oz | 10 tbsp (3/4 cup) | 3 tbsp | 3/4 cup |
8 oz | 28 tbsp (1 3/4 cups) | 1/2 cup | 2 cups |
16 oz | 36 tbsp (2 1/4 cups) | 1 cup | 4 cups |
Where to Buy Cream Cheese Powder
Finding dehydrated products like powdered cream cheese can be difficult to find in most grocery stores since it is a specialty food item. You’ll have better results by searching online for some popular brands.
Some makers of powdered cream cheese are:
Hoosier Hill Farm Cream Cheese Powder
Olive Nation Cream Cheese Powder
Firehouse Pantry Store (Firehouse Flavors)
Does Powdered Cream Cheese Taste Like Cream Cheese?
Most people think that the taste is close, but not exactly the same.
If you think about it, this makes sense because fresh cream cheese has not been altered to extend shelf life. Anytime you dehydrate foods, especially dairy products, a slight difference in taste will be apparent.
However, when used in recipes, you shouldn’t notice much difference in the taste but some the texture could be slightly grainy as a result of dehydration.
What Do You Use Cream Cheese Powder For?
Cream cheese powder can be used for anything that you’d normally use fresh cream for – it’s really up to you.
Here’s a few ideas for you to try!
Cream cheese powder can easily be added to cake or muffin mixes that call for fresh cream cheese. Doing so will impart a rich creaminess to any of your baked goods.
Dips for chips, vegetables or pretzels are also another great use of cream cheese powder. Grab your favorite snack, dip it in and enjoy.
Cream cheese powder can be used to enhance the flavors of creamy sauces and add a layer of smooth deliciousness.
Frostings and icings are also a great use for cream cheese powder. It works great on things like carrot cake, pumpkin muffins or other desserts that require a cream cheese frosting.
Last, cream cheese powder can be used like a condiment and sprinkled on foods like eggs and popcorn.
Use of Cream Cheese Powder | Examples |
---|---|
Baked goods | Cake, muffins, bread |
Dips | Vegetable, pretzel, cracker |
Sauces | Alfredo, mac and cheese, white sauce |
Frostings and icings | Carrot cake, pumpkin muffins, cupcakes |
Condiments | Eggs, popcorn, sandwiches |