Dairy
Vegan alternative to cream cheese
Short answer
Cashew cream cheese is the best all-round replacement for cream cheese — bagels and cheesecake. 1:1 by weight.
Why cream cheese isn't vegan
Made from cow's milk and cream.
Best vegan substitutes
| Substitute | Best for |
|---|---|
| Cashew cream cheese | Bagels and cheesecake |
| Almond-based spreads | Lower fat option |
| Tofu + lemon + salt, blended | Budget homemade |
Conversion ratio
1:1 by weight.
Pro tip
For baked cheesecake, pick a firm block-style vegan cream cheese — tub spreads have too much water and will crack.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the best vegan alternative to cream cheese?
- Cashew cream cheese is the closest all-round swap — bagels and cheesecake. 1:1 by weight.
- Why isn't cream cheese vegan?
- Made from cow's milk and cream.
- How much do I use instead of cream cheese?
- 1:1 by weight.
- Any tips for getting it right?
- For baked cheesecake, pick a firm block-style vegan cream cheese — tub spreads have too much water and will crack.
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