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    Home » Recipes » Dips

    Published: Mar 4, 2023 by Willow Moon · This post may contain affiliate links. · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. · I get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.

    Homemade Vegan Cream Cheese

    Jump to Recipe Pin Video

    This Homemade Vegan Cream Cheese is thick and creamy. It has a nice tangy flavor, making it perfect for a bagel or crackers. Made in about 20 minutes.

    Vegan Cream Cheese in bowl with knife.

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    This Homemade Vegan Cream Cheese is made with whole food plant-based ingredients, making it much healthier than store-bought which contain gums and preservatives.

    It has a rich, cheesy, tangy flavor. It has a thick creamy texture that is spreadable. Made with coconut oil, it thickens in the refrigerator.

    It does not taste exactly like dairy cream cheese or even store-bought vegan cream cheese, but it tastes really good! I ate it up in a few days.

    If you love cashew cream cheese, I have a No-Bake Vegan Cheesecake that is sweet, rich, and creamy. It does not use this recipe, but a sweeter cashew cream cheese recipe.

    Other cashew cheese recipes are my Vegan Cashew Fruit Dip, Homemade Larabar Recipe with Cranberries, Easy Candied Cashews recipe, and Vegan Cheese Ball with Smoky Flavors.

    Jump to:
    • 🧾 Ingredients
    • 📖 Variations / Additions
    • 🔪 Instructions
    • 🍽 Serving
    • 💭 Tips
    • 👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs
    • Other Vegan Cheese Recipes
    • 🎥  Video
    • 📋 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    🧾 Ingredients

    Ingredients with labels.
    • Raw cashews: Only raw cashews will work for this recipe. They take on the flavors you mix with them. Another recipe with cashews is my cucumber cashew dip
    • Vegan yogurt: I used unsweetened plain vegan coconut yogurt. Sweetened vegan yogurt will not work in this recipe.
    • Lemon juice: Adds a tangy flavor.
    • Apple cider vinegar: Adds a tart tangy flavor.
    • Nutritional yeast: Adds a cheesy flavor. You could leave it out, but it will change the flavor quite a bit.
    • Coconut oil: Makes it thicker. Helps the vegan cream cheese solidify.
    • Salt: Enhances flavors.

    To see the full list of ingredients with measurements and instructions, see the recipe card at the bottom of this post.

    📖 Variations / Additions

    • Chives, dill, parsley, or other fresh herbs
    • Dried herbs: dried dill, parsley
    • Green onions
    • Onion powder
    • Roasted garlic or garlic powder
    • Everything bagel seasoning
    • Vegetables like in my Vegan Vegetable Cream Cheese
    • Maple syrup and walnuts
    • Sun-dried tomatoes
    • Jalapeño
    • Strawberries

    5 Secrets to Vegan Cooking

    Spicy Tofu Bánh Mì on a cutting board.

    Free 5 Part Email Series to Elevate Your Vegan Cooking

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    🔪 Instructions

    Ingredients in a food processor before and after mixing.
    1. Soak the cashews in hot water for 15 minutes or 4 hours in room temperature water. Drain.
    2. In a food processor or high speed blender, add the soaked cashews along with the rest of the ingredients.
    3. Blend until smooth and creamy, stopping to scrape down the edges.
    Cracker with vegan cream cheese in hand.

    🍽 Serving

    • Bagels
    • Toast
    • Crackers, like my Flax Crackers with Everything Seasoning
    • Cucumber slices
    • Fresh veggies
    • Sandwiches

    💭 Tips

    1. I used solidified coconut oil because I made this recipe during the winter. You could also use melted coconut oil.
    2. Make sure to blend the mixture long enough. The longer you blend it, the creamier it will be.
    3. For a thicker cream cheese, place it in the fridge before serving. You can also stick it in the freezer for an hour before serving.
    Vegan Cream Cheese with crackers and sliced cucumber.

    👩🏻‍🍳 Recipe FAQs

    What is vegan cream cheese made from?

    This vegan cream cheese recipe is made with raw cashews, nutritional yeast, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, vegan yogurt, coconut oil, and salt.

    What does cashew cream cheese taste like?

    It tastes rich, cheesy, and tangy.

    Is cashew cream cheese healthy?

    Yes, this cashew cream cheese recipe is healthy because it is made with whole-food plant-based ingredients.

    Other Vegan Cheese Recipes

    • Tofu Ricotta close up with crackers.
      The Most Amazing Tofu Ricotta
    • Tofu Feta
      Tofu Feta
    • Tofu Nacho Cheese
      Tofu Nacho Cheese Sauce
    • Vegan Cheese Ball
      Vegan Cheese Ball

    🎥  Video

    If you tried this Homemade Vegan Cream Cheese Recipe or any other recipe on my website, please leave a ⭐️ star rating and let me know how you like it in the 💬 comments below. I love hearing from you!

    📋 Recipe

    Vegan Cream Cheese
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    5 from 1 vote

    Homemade Vegan Cream Cheese

    This Homemade Vegan Cream Cheese is thick and creamy. It has a nice tangy flavor, making it perfect for a bagel or crackers. Made in about 20 minutes.
    Course Dip
    Cuisine American
    Diet Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    soaking 15 minutes minutes
    Total Time 20 minutes minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 268kcal
    Author Willow Moon
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Equipment

    • food processor or high speed blender

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup raw cashews
    • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
    • 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • ½ cup unsweetened plain vegan coconut yogurt
    • 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
    • 2 tablespoons coconut oil
    • Pinch salt

    Instructions

    • Soak cashews in hot water for 15 minutes or 4 hours in room temperature water. Drain water.
    • In a food processor or high speed blender mix cashews with the rest of ingredients until smooth and creamy.

    Notes

    This cashew cream cheese recipe will last 5-7 days in an airtight container in the fridge.

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    Nutrition

    Calories: 268kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 8g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 298mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 0.5IU | Vitamin C: 3mg | Calcium: 83mg | Iron: 2mg
    SIGN UP for my newsletter, get a FREE 30 Minute Vegan Dinners 7-Day Meal Plan as a welcome gift! 💌

    *Note: Nutrition information should be considered an estimate only. Different nutrition calculators give you different results.

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