How Much Cream Cheese to Substitute for Sour Cream
Works for baking, sauteing, and slow cook. Cream Cheese keeps a similar flavor profile to Sour Cream.
How much cream cheese equals one cup of sour cream?
Use 1 cup softened cream cheese per 1 cup sour cream.
Health notes
Compared with Sour Cream, Cream Cheese has: more calories (295 vs 181 per 100g in Sour Cream), more fat (28.6g vs 14.1g per 100g in Sour Cream), more saturated fat (18g vs 8.7g per 100g in Sour Cream), and less carbs (3.5g vs 7g per 100g in Sour Cream).
Using cream cheese as a sour cream substitute in baking
Soften first, then use 1:1 in cakes and quick breads. Denser, richer crumb with less tang.
Other cooking methods
- Sauteing
Soften and stir in at 1:1 off heat. Whisk well to avoid lumps in the pan.
- Slow Cook
Stir in softened at 1:1 near the end. Thickens the dish more than sour cream would.
- Steaming
1:1 as a finishing dollop, not steamed directly.
- Raw Cold
1:1 in dips and spreads, but thin with a splash of milk to loosen.
Methods to avoid (3)
- Frying
Not recommended: too thick and rich to coat or crisp, will scorch instead.
- Grilling
Not recommended: no way to apply it directly on the grill without melting off.
- Drinks
Not recommended: too thick and heavy to dissolve smoothly in drinks.
FAQ
- How much cream cheese equals one cup of sour cream?
Use 1 cup softened cream cheese per 1 cup sour cream.
- Can I substitute cream cheese for Sour Cream in baking?
Yes. Soften first, then use 1:1 in cakes and quick breads. Denser, richer crumb with less tang. Not recommended: too thick and rich to coat or crisp, will scorch instead.
- How much cream cheese to use as a sour cream substitute?
Richer and less tangy; thin with milk or add a squeeze of lemon to bring back brightness.
- How does the flavor change when substituting Cream Cheese for Sour Cream?
Cream cheese keeps a similar flavor profile to sour cream.
- How does texture change when substituting Cream Cheese for Sour Cream?
Cream cheese denser, thicker, and stiffer body with less spreadability unless softened or loosened with liquid first.
- What else should I know about substituting Cream Cheese for Sour Cream?
For dips, cheesecakes, frostings, and baked goods. Expect a denser, richer texture with less tang and more hold. Skip frying, grilling, and drinks where it can't melt or blend in cleanly. Thin with a little milk if the batter turns too stiff.
- What still works when substituting Cream Cheese for Sour Cream?
Cream cheese still works as a fat, texture, and flavor carrier.
- What won't work when substituting Cream Cheese for Sour Cream?
Cream cheese won't work as a acid.
- How well does Cream Cheese match Sour Cream?
Cream cheese is good on structure, okay on heat, and okay on flavor.
- How does nutrition compare per 100g when substituting Cream Cheese for Sour Cream?
Cream cheese has about x2 more calories, fat, and sat. fat. Overall, protein is similar.
- How do the flavor notes shift when substituting Cream Cheese for Sour Cream?
The flavor shifts toward less acidic notes.