How Much Cashew Nut to Substitute for Cream Cheese
Works for baking, sauteing, and frying. Cashew Nut brings a noticeably different flavor than Cream Cheese.
How much cashew nut equals one cup of cream cheese?
Use 3/4 cup soaked cashews per cup cream cheese.
Health notes
Compared with Cream Cheese, Cashew Nut has: more calories (553 vs 295 per 100g in Cream Cheese), more fat (43.9g vs 28.6g per 100g in Cream Cheese), less saturated fat (7.8g vs 18g per 100g in Cream Cheese), more protein (18.2g vs 7.1g per 100g in Cream Cheese), and more carbs (30.2g vs 3.5g per 100g in Cream Cheese).
Using cashew nut as a cream cheese substitute in baking
3/4 cup per cup in cheesecakes; chill to firm.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
3/4 cup per cup in sauces; keep heat low.
- Frying
3/4 cup per cup in fillings; won't fry like blocks.
- Slow Cook
3/4 cup per cup in creamy soups; stir in late.
- Raw Cold
3/4 cup per cup in frostings and bagel spreads.
- Drinks
3/4 cup per cup in smoothies; blend until silky.
Methods to avoid (2)
- Grilling
Not recommended: soft spread won't hold shape.
- Steaming
Not recommended: separates under steam heat.
FAQ
- How much cashew nut equals one cup of cream cheese?
Use 3/4 cup soaked cashews per cup cream cheese.
- Can I substitute cashew nut for Cream Cheese in baking?
Yes. 3/4 cup per cup in cheesecakes; chill to firm. Not recommended: soft spread won't hold shape.
- How much cashew nut to use as a cream cheese substitute?
Add lemon juice and salt for cream cheese tang.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Cashew Nut for Cream Cheese?
Cashew nut brings a noticeably different flavor than cream cheese.
- How does texture change when substituting Cashew Nut for Cream Cheese?
Cashew nut smooth vegan spread; softer set than chilled cream cheese.
- What else should I know about substituting Cashew Nut for Cream Cheese?
For frostings, dips, and cheesecakes. Expect creamy, mild spread with less tang and salt. Skip recipes needing firm cream cheese structure for piping. Blend cashews until completely smooth. Add lemon juice and salt to mimic tang. Taste as you go and adjust salt or sweetener before serving.
- What still works when substituting Cashew Nut for Cream Cheese?
Cashew nut still works as a fat, binder, emulsifier, and texture builder.
- What won't work when substituting Cashew Nut for Cream Cheese?
Cashew nut won't work as a tenderizer.
- How well does Cashew Nut match Cream Cheese?
Cashew nut is good on structure, good on heat, and okay on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Cashew Nut for Cream Cheese?
Cashew nut has about x2 fewer sat. fat, and about x2 more calories and fat and x3 more protein.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Cashew Nut for Cream Cheese?
The flavor shifts toward more sweet, less acidic, more bitter, and more umami notes.