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

  • 1

    Warm cream in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water until it reaches 80C on a sugar thermometer.

  • 2

    Add lemon juice and stir continuously for 2 minutes, keeping mixture at no more than 85C.

  • 3

    Remove from heat and cool to room temperature, stirring occasionally, then refrigerate until cream begins to thicken (overnight).

  • 4

    Transfer mixture to a fine sieve lined with four layers of muslin and placed over a bowl, then refrigerate until whey drains and cream thickens to a spoonable consistency (overnight).

  • 5

    Discard whey and transfer mascarpone to an airtight container. Mascarpone will keep refrigerated for 2 days.

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. It's also used as a topping for cake, fruit, and coffee drinks.

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 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 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 cheese? ›

Q. Is Mascarpone cheese healthier than cream cheese? A. No, mascarpone cheese is not healthier than cream cheese as it contains 25% more fat than cream cheese.

Can you use Philadelphia cream cheese instead of mascarpone? ›

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. To make this mixture, use 1/4 cup of cream for every 8 oz.

How long will mascarpone keep in fridge? ›

What is the shelf life of mascarpone? A closed package of mascarpone will last in the fridge until its best-by date. If you've already opened it, the clock starts ticking, and you have around 1 week to use it all up.

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.

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.

Can I use sour cream instead of mascarpone? ›

Another cool swap for Mascarpone: sour cream! It's a tad different from our Crème Fraîche but still shares many similarities. Sour cream, Crème Fraîche, and Mascarpone are all very thick, but sour cream takes the acidity crown.

Can I use ricotta instead of mascarpone? ›

In a pinch, yes. They're both soft cheeses with a delicate flavour and an Italian name, but they have significant differences you should be aware of before attempting a substitution: Ricotta contains a lot more water than mascarpone (feels lighter) Mascarpone contains a lot more fat than ricotta (feels heavier, richer)

Can you freeze mascarpone? ›

To freeze the mascarpone, you need to add some sugar. In this way the cheese will tend to remain perfect, because the sugar will absorb the liquid part of the mascarpone. Obviously this means that after defrosting we should use mascarpone for the preparation of desserts.

What is mascarpone cheese called in English? ›

What Is Mascarpone? Mascarpone, also known as Italian cream cheese, is a rich, spreadable cow's milk cheese with an especially high percentage of butterfat. Mascarpone is a Renaissance-era invention from the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, and a staple ingredient in Italian desserts like tiramisu.

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 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.

Does mascarpone cheese taste like cream cheese? ›

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.

Which is sweeter mascarpone or cream cheese? ›

Mascarpone is probably most well-known as the key ingredient in Italian desserts like tiramisu and cannoli. If you think Mascarpone is just like cream cheese, you'll be surprised and probably delighted to learn Mascarpone is richer and sweeter.

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