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

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? ›

Best mascarpone recipes
  • Salted caramel mascarpone cheesecake pots.
  • Cannoli.
  • Vanilla and raspberry mascarpone loaf cake.
  • Tomato, spinach and mascarpone gnocchi.
  • Pesto greens and three-cheese lasagne.
  • Spinach, mascarpone and ham hock rotolo.
  • Classic tiramisu.
  • Butternut squash, spinach and mascarpone lasagne.

How long does mascarpone last once opened? ›

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 I freeze mascarpone? ›

You can safely freeze mascarpone for a few months, but it will affect the texture, and it might separate when you defrost it. It's best for use in cooked dishes.

Is mascarpone healthier than cream cheese? ›

No, mascarpone cheese is not healthier than cream cheese as it contains 25% more fat than cream cheese. Yet mascarpone cheese is only preferred for its extra smooth texture. You can use cream cheese and mascarpone cheese for salty and sweet dishes.

Can you use Philadelphia cream cheese instead of mascarpone? ›

Can I Use Cream Cheese as a Mascarpone Substitute? 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.

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? ›

And if you're still looking for ideas on how to use mascarpone, there's always the option of smearing it on crackers or seedy toast. Maybe add a dollop of jam, maybe not—this tangy cheese can shine all on its own.

Can you put mascarpone on pizza? ›

Mimi has given the traditional pizza a HelloFresh twist using creamy mascarpone cheese to replace traditional mozzarella. Topped with sweet caramelised onion, peppery rocket and mushrooms, this pizza is a real treat!

How to tell if mascarpone has gone bad? ›

The cheese may develop a sour smell somewhat similar to sour cream. Rancid mascarpone cheese may also form a tough yellowish crust on the surface. In some cases, you might notice mold growth in different hues – blue, green, or white. Any of these signs mean it's time to toss it out.

What animal is mascarpone from? ›

Mascarpone is a triple-creme cheese made from fresh cream. Traditionally, this was made from the fresh milk of cows that have grazing pastures filled with fresh herbs and flowers. The freshest milk is still the best best option but a great Mascarpone can also be made with cream from the store.

Can you over beat mascarpone? ›

If you overmix this cream, it will curdle and will ruin the creaminess of this cream. Let the mascarpone cheese come to room temperature before mixing, it will incorporate a lot easier.

Is mascarpone 2 weeks out of date safe to eat? ›

Unopened mascarpone typically lasts for about 2-3 weeks in the refrigerator and, if sealed and stored properly, it can be extended up to a month. Once opened, mascarpone must be consumed within approximately 5-7 days when refrigerated, as it's prone to spoilage due to its high moisture and fat content.

How to unfreeze mascarpone? ›

When you need to defrost the mascarpone, place it in the refrigerator to let it defrost without thermal shock. Also remember that you can freeze mascarpone-based desserts such as tiramisu and cheesecake without any problem.

Why did my mascarpone curdle? ›

Fixing curdled mascarpone:One thing I learned while making a Mascarpone Peach Parfait is that mascarpone is very prone to curdling in mixtures if any of the ingredients are different temperatures. This mascarpone cream has 3 basic ingredients: mascarpone, whipped cream and a bit of powdered sugar.

Can you replace mascarpone with cream? ›

Mascarpone cheese is made from cream, so it makes sense that you can use heavy cream instead of mascarpone! It has a rich, smooth flavor however, it has a runnier texture so a few tweaks need to be made. For more info, check out my heavy cream substitute article.

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.

What can be substituted for mascarpone cheese? ›

You can mimic the silky, decadent consistency of mascarpone with an easy DIY recipe. To make this mascarpone substitute, mix together 12 ounces of room temperature cream cheese (1 ½ blocks) with ¼ cup of heavy whipping cream and ¼ cup of sour cream until combined.

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.

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