Buzz
2021 has presented its fair share of challenges, and now, even your holiday menu requires a little creative thinking. In case you haven’t heard, there’s a nationwide shortage of cream cheese. Prices are rising, and it’s becoming difficult (or even impossible) to find. If you’ve managed to score some, be prepared to pay more—and maybe even feel a bit guilty about it. Making that classic New York Cheesecake shouldn’t come with a hefty price tag, a scavenger hunt at five stores, or a sense of guilt. (Plus, Kraft will pay you to avoid making it.)
The holidays are no time for subpar substitutes, but don’t worry—we’ve got a variety of delicious sweet and savory swaps for your holiday menu to help you forget all about the missing bagel topping. As we always say in our house: Let’s begin with dessert.
The alternative cheesecake
Ricotta cheesecake may be the new star of your dessert table, replacing the traditional American cheesecake. Often called 'Italian cheesecake,' this version looks remarkably similar to its cream cheese counterpart—pale in color with a slightly browned top, and it can be made crustless or with a crumb crust. Ricotta has a lighter, more crumbly texture, which means you can likely fit more slices onto your plate. A helpful tip: Check the recipe ingredients before falling in love with the photos to ensure it’s made entirely with ricotta, like this classic one from the Food Network or this orange ricotta version from Vintage Kitchen, which features a more basque-style browned crust.
The hybrid cheesecake
For those who insist on making their traditional cheesecake, there’s a way to make it work. You can mix and match soft cheeses in equal amounts with cream cheese. Mascarpone, Neufchâtel (a French cream cheese), or ricotta can join the mix, lightening the overall texture and enhancing the flavor. If using ricotta, make sure to drain it well—either through cheesecloth for a couple of hours or overnight in the fridge—to remove any excess moisture. Mascarpone doesn’t need draining but gives a creamier texture, especially in the center when blended with another cheese. While you may still use some cream cheese, the amount will be significantly reduced, and your guests will enjoy the familiar tang paired with the smoothness of mascarpone or the light, airy quality that ricotta adds.
The plant-based cheesecake
Even if you don't have dietary restrictions or follow a vegan lifestyle, you can still enjoy vegan desserts. In fact, you might really enjoy them! Vegan cream cheeses have come a long way, evolving from bland to creamy, tangy, and delicious. With increasing demand for vegan recipes, talented chefs are creating dishes for everyone’s benefit. Look for recipes using a mix of vegan cream cheese with rich, saturated fats like coconut oil and, even better, soaked cashews. (I recommend this Vegan Cheesecake from Delish or this raspberry vegan cheesecake with two different filling options.) Soaking the cashews makes them soft and easy to blend, transforming them into luxurious, creamy textures, perfect for your holiday cheesecake batter.
The brownie cheesecake variation
Perhaps you're in the camp that doesn't bake a full cheesecake (who needs the hassle of a water bath?), but still loves the rich cream cheese swirl in your brownies. Many of the substitutions listed earlier will work here too. Since the swirl typically uses a few ounces of cream cheese, you’ll have the best results replacing it with mascarpone and a dash of lemon, or opting for a vegan cream cheese. If you're feeling adventurous, you can skip the cheese altogether and take this shortage as a chance to experiment with other options like peanut butter (or any nut butter), Nutella, cookie butter, or even crushed candy canes for an extra festive touch.
Now that you have some sweet alternatives, let's explore savory options.
The cheeseball
While many cheeseball recipes traditionally call for cream cheese, you have other choices. Since you're after a soft, spreadable texture, you can easily swap in an equal amount of a different soft cheese. Consider using goat cheese as the star of your cheeseboard this year. Opt for the creamy variety instead of the drier, chalkier one to ensure it spreads smoothly.
Another great choice is soft, tangy Gournay cheese, which you may recognize as garlic and herb Boursin. It's an ideal option for simple cheeseballs since it's already seasoned. Other solid alternatives include vegan cream cheese, ricotta, or Greek yogurt. If you opt for ricotta or Greek yogurt, be sure to drain them and add stabilizing ingredients like shredded cheese. Both of these have moisture that could affect the consistency of your cheeseball. Drain them overnight through cheesecloth, weighted down, to get rid of excess moisture before combining with your other ingredients.
Creamy dips
Nothing screams New Year’s Eve like a good dip. It's the best companion for all finger foods, and the only thing that can get me to eat raw broccoli. When it comes to substituting cream cheese in dips, your best bet is sour cream, plain yogurt, or mayonnaise. Sour cream and yogurt add tanginess, while mayo brings a rich, salty flavor. Combine one tangy ingredient with mayo for a balanced dip, and then add your other ingredients. Keep in mind that these substitutes contain more water than cream cheese, so adjust the recipe accordingly or strain your sour cream or Greek yogurt to reduce excess liquid.
Cream cheese-stuffed snacks
Party appetizers like crab rangoon, jalapeño poppers, or cream cheese-stuffed mushrooms are little bites of melty, cheesy heaven, and you shouldn't have to miss out on them. These snacks typically have a delicate exterior (like thin pastry, soft vegetables, or breadcrumbs) and are cooked at high heat, so it's crucial that the filling holds together. If you're using Greek yogurt or sour cream, mix in something to help bind the filling and prevent it from oozing out. Try adding shredded cheddar, goat cheese, or feta, along with an egg yolk for a rich, satisfying bite that'll make you forget all about The Great Cream Cheese Shortage of 2021.
