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    Home » Recipes » Vegan Basics

    BEST Vegan Mascarpone (no nuts)

    Published: May 11, 2022 · Updated: Feb 17, 2023 by Jacqui Wormington · This post may contain affiliate links. · 5 Comments

    Are you looking for a dairy-free substitute for Mascarpone cheese? This vegan mascarpone recipe is the best choice!

    Jump to:
    • 💡 The recipe in a nutshell
    • 🇮🇹 What is Mascarpone cheese?
    • 💭 What is Mascarpone used for?
    • 🌱 Is Mascarpone vegan?
    • 🍽 Ingredients
    • 👩🏽‍🍳 How to
    • 🧀 What’s the difference between mascarpone and ricotta?
    • 📋 Vegan substitute for mascarpone
    • 🥣 Storage and freezing
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Reviews
    creamy saucy mascarpone dairy free

    💡 The recipe in a nutshell

    • Vegan (eggless and dairy free)
    • Nut free
    • Made from scratch
    • Healthier cheese alternative
    • Easy and quick to make
    • Creamy, lightly sweet and tangy

    🇮🇹 What is Mascarpone cheese?

    Mascarpone is an Italian dairy cream cheese that is slightly sweet, nutty, and tangy. It has a high butterfat percentage. Mascarpone is used in many recipes including tiramisu, tarts, and frostings.

    💭 What is Mascarpone used for?

    Mascarpone can be used for both savory and sweet dishes. One of the most popular desserts using mascarpone is Tiramisu. Some other ideas for usage include:

    • Use as whipped cream substitute
    • Mix with fresh fruit for a creamy, light summer dessert
    • Spread on toast with fruit, or drizzles of syrup
    • Use as creamy pizza sauce
    • Use as/add to pasta sauce
    • Add to your casserole dishes
    • To top your soup, instead of sour cream or créme fraîche
    • Add to your cheesecake, tarts or pies
    • Use in dessert cups

    🌱 Is Mascarpone vegan?

    No, it is not vegan. Commercial Mascarpone cheese is made out of dairy-based heavy cream, and citric or tartaric acid. However, this recipe uses tofu and chilled coconut cream instead, which makes it entirely vegan! Woo-hoo! You can use it as a dairy-free substitute for regular mascarpone.

    🍽 Ingredients

    To make this dairy-free mascarpone cheese you need the following ingredients:

    • silken tofu
    • chilled coconut cream
    • fresh lemon juice
    • a pinch of salt

    If you want to sweeten your mascarpone add organic cane sugar and vanilla sugar, or vanilla extract.

    Ingredients for vegan mascarpone without nuts

    👩🏽‍🍳 How to

    Making vegan mascarpone from scratch is crazy simple! All you need is a food processor (or blender) and your ingredients. Blend them all together until smooth, transfer them to a jar or air-tight container, and refrigerate.

    Looking for more vegan basics and dairy-free cheese recipes? I have lots of recipes teaching you how to! How about vegan ricotta or whipped cream?

    🧀 What’s the difference between mascarpone and ricotta?

    The main difference is the flavor and texture. Mascarpone is sweeter, with a milkier and nuttier flavor than ricotta cheese. The texture of mascarpone is very creamy and smooth. It is similar to whipped cream but a bit denser. Ricotta cheese on the other hand is more textured and not smooth.

    📋 Vegan substitute for mascarpone

    If you don’t have mascarpone, you can substitute with vegan cream cheese. Mix it with a touch of plant milk to make it a bit smoother and remove the tartness. Another option is coconut whipped cream, which is good to use in desserts and when you don't mind the fluffier texture. For savory dishes use a plain plant yogurt or vegan sour cream.

    Other than that, the recipe below is of course a perfect 1:1 substitution, imitating the flavor and texture of regular mascarpone.

    🥣 Storage and freezing

    Store in an airtight container or jar in the fridge for up to 7 days. You can freeze it for longer shelf life in a freezer-friendly container for up to 3 months. Defrost in fridge overnight and blend up again once defrosted to get back some of the texture.

    📖 Recipe

    best vegan mascarpone

    BEST Vegan Mascarpone (no nuts)

    Jacqui Wormington
    Are you looking for a dairy-free substitute for Mascarpone cheese? This vegan mascarpone recipe is the best choice! It’s easy, versatile, and does not use cashews or other nuts. Instead, it uses a mix of nutritious silken tofu and coconut cream.
    5 from 5 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Rest in fridge 8 hours hrs
    Total Time 10 minutes mins
    Cuisine Dairy-Free, Egg-Free, Italian, nut-free, Vegan
    Servings 1 batch

    Equipment

    • food processor, or high speed blender

    Ingredients
      

    • 16 oz firm silken tofu* (450g)
    • 5.2 oz coconut cream, chilled overnight* (200g)
    • 1-2 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
    • a pinch of salt

    for sweet version

    • ¼ cup organic cane sugar, you can add more if you want it even sweeter (60g)
    • 1 tablespoon of vanilla sugar ca. 2 packages, or 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract

    Instructions
     

    • To a food processor (or blender) add silken tofu and blend it smooth. Scrape down sides if needed. Then add all other mascarpone ingredients and blend until smooth. When using the chilled coconut cream, make sure to only use the hardened cream part on the top. Discard liquid, or use in smoothies. For a sweet Mascarpone add cane sugar, and vanilla sugar (or extract).
    • Transfer into a jar or air-tight container and refrigerate Mascarpone in the fridge overnight. This will thicken it even more. If you need the Mascarpone quicker, stick it into the freezer for 15-20 minutes.

    Video

    Notes

    *Silken Tofu: It is best to use firm silken tofu, however, regular silken tofu works also.
    *Coconut Cream: You’ll need 1-2 cans depending a bit on the brand and how much cream actually is in there. Use only the hardened part on the top and discard liquid on the bottom, or use it for smoothies.

    The provided nutritional information is an estimate per serving. Accuracy is not guaranteed.

    Tried this recipe?Leave a comment & tag @thesimplesprinkle on Instagram
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    PS: Don't forget to rate this recipe and leave a comment on your experience - this helps improve my recipes and serves you with the best instructions, tips, and substitution ideas. Plus, I love hearing about your takes on my recipes! Tag me on Instagram @thesimplesprinkle to show me your pictures

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Lucy says

      May 18, 2022 at 8:43 am

      5 stars
      This vegan mascarpone recipe is so good and requires so little time and effort, thank you! I've been struggling to find recipes without nuts so this is perfect!

      Reply
    2. Jerika says

      May 18, 2022 at 11:11 am

      Wow! I would love to put this vegan mascarpone on my tiramisu and tarts.:) I'm excited to prepare this together with my kids. Thanks!

      Reply
    3. Marcellina says

      May 18, 2022 at 12:47 pm

      5 stars
      What a great substitute for mascarpone! This recipe is so quick and easy and ideal for so many desserts!

      Reply
    4. Keri Bevan says

      May 18, 2022 at 6:05 pm

      5 stars
      I made this yesterday, and had to come back and let you know that I ate the whole batch:)

      Reply
    5. Natalie says

      May 19, 2022 at 8:12 am

      5 stars
      I made this vegan mascarpone for the first time. It's so delicious and healthy, you are amazing!

      Reply

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    Hey there, I am Jacqui! I'm a self-taught vegan recipe developer, content creator and food photographer. My goal? To make veganism easy-peasy-lemon-squeezy! With my drool-worthy recipes and savvy tips, I'll prove that going plant-based doesn't mean giving up your favorite meals.

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