Vegan Mascarpone Cheese

5 from 1 vote

This quick and easy vegan mascarpone cheese is so creamy, slightly sweet and just a little tart. Made with raw cashews and coconut cream, it makes for a great dairy-free substitute to a classic Italian mascarpone you can use in either sweet or savory recipes. 100% vegan, healthy, soy-free, refined sugar-free and can easily be whipped up last minute.

Prep Time10

Cook Time0

Total Time10

Course: condiment, Dessert

Cuisine: American

Keyword: dairy-free, healthy, Vegan, vegan cheese

Servings:

Calories: 292kcal

Author: Jessica Laroche

Equipment

Food processor

Ingredients

1 cup raw cashews
½ cup coconut cream the top thick portion of a can of coconut milk, see notes
2 tbsp lemon juice or more if you want it more tangy
1 tbsp maple syrup or any sweetener
¼ tsp salt

Instructions

Start by soaking your cashews in cold water for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight. You can also do a quick soak of about 10-30 minutes using boiling water instead. Then, drain, rinse and transfer to a food processor.
To the food processor with the cashews, add the rest of the ingredients and process until smooth. Take a few breaks to scrape the walls, I usually stop-stir-restart about 5-8 times before I reach a smooth texture. Taste and adjust the flavor. If you want a thinner mascarpone, then add 1-2 tablespoons of water and process again.
Transfer to a glass container and either use immediately or store in the fridge. The mascarpone will set and firm up a little bit after chilling. Keep in the fridge for 5-6 days.

Video

Notes

For sweet recipes, try adding more maple syrup to sweeten your mascarpone a little more. Also, try adding a hint of vanilla extract, cinnamon and cacao powder.
For savory recipes, omit or use less of the maple syrup and add more lemon juice for a more pronounced tart flavor. Also, try adding a dash of onion/garlic powder and more salt.
Nutrition: please note that the nutritional information is an estimate per serving provided for informational purposes only (calculated by software) and accuracy is not guaranteed. Consult with your healthcare provider or a registered dietitian if you need precise nutrition calculations for health reasons.

Nutrition