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
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.
What is special about mascarpone? ›
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's the difference between mascarpone and cheese? ›
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 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.
What are the characteristics 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).
Why does mascarpone taste so good? ›
Here, centuries of artisan cheesemakers have created their recipes for some of Italy's best-known cheeses, like Mascarpone. The process for making this cheese usually involves heating heavy cream and adding citric acid to the mixture, which combines to create that signature texture and taste.
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.
Can you eat mascarpone on its own? ›
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 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.
What is a cheaper alternative to mascarpone? ›
After scanning multiple recipes, some suggested that ricotta cheese, cream cheese or heavy cream are good alternatives to mascarpone cheese.
Mascarpone is a cream cheese with a 45+% of fat content. Ricotta is a dairy product made by precipitating albumine left in the whey, which is the cheese waste product, and it has a nearly 0% fat content. The two can't be used alternatively to each other. You can't substitute one to the other.
What is mascarpone cheese compared to? ›
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.
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 better for you than cream cheese? ›
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.
How do Italians eat mascarpone? ›
Most famous for being the creamy hero of the classic Italian dessert tiramisù, mascarpone is used in a myriad of both savoury and sweet recipes. For example, it features as the main ingredient for the filling of the Sicilian fried pastry dessert, cannoli, as well as in decadent, mascarpone filled tarts.
What do you eat mascarpone with? ›
We know that mascarpone cheese can transform sweet things like sorbet, carrot cake, lemon pie, cupcakes, and fruit blintzes. But what about creamy pasta, risotto, soups, and roasted vegetables? Turns out mascarpone can work wonders with savory recipes, too.
Can you eat mascarpone straight? ›
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!
