Homemade Mascarpone

An authentic mascarpone recipe from Italy. (It’s ridiculously easy!)

A thick dollop of mascarpone on a silicon spatula

Mascarpone has long been enjoyed in Italian cuisine. Known for its rich creamy texture, it adds a touch of decadence to both sweet and savory dishes. This authentic Italian mascarpone recipe is unbelievably easy to make yet incredibly delicious.

Bonus: Homemade mascarpone costs significantly less than store-bought!

What is mascarpone

What am I? A cheese or a cream?

Mascarpone, made from cow’s cream, is considered a fresh cream… cheese.

Creamy and spreadable, mascarpone cheese looks and tastes like something between America’s cream cheese and a thick sour cream.

How do you pronounce mascarpone? mas-car-POH-neh

What you’ll need to make mascarpone

A few pieces of equipment

kitchen thermometer + colander (or some sort of large strainer) + bowl (to hold the colander) + cheesecloth

Tip – A hemmed cheese cloth, is so much more of a pleasure to use than the loose gauze commonly found at kitchen shops. It doesn’t fray, and you can reuse it for years.

Bottle of cream next to half a lemon and a small glass bowl of lemon juice

2 Ingredients

cream + lemon Juice

3 steps

Mascarpone is as easy as heating cream, adding lemon juice and letting it drain in the fridge. That’s it: very little hands on time, lots of chilling.

Details are included in the recipe below.

Store

Homemade mascarpone doesn’t last as long as store-bought. Stored properly, homemade mascarpone keeps well for around 3 days. Refrigerate in an airtight container.

Uses for mascarpone

Mascarpone is traditionally enjoyed in both sweet and savory dishes. Here are a few suggestions.

Although mascarpone has been around since the 16th century, one of the things that helped propel this delicacy outside of Italy in the 20th century is tiramisu, the mouth-watering Italian dessert made with mascarpone, ladyfingers and coffee. By the way, I have the best tiramisu recipe! Or you can make mascarpone cream with it and use in many sweet ways.

On the savory side, mascarpone can be used to make creamy pasta sauces (One of my favorite ways is in a nutty garlic pasta sauce – recipe coming!), to enrich the creaminess and flavor of risottos, or even to dollop on pizza.

How to make mascarpone

Mascarpone, long enjoyed in Italian cuisine for its rich creamy texture, adds a touch of decadence to both sweet and savory dishes.
A thick dollop of mascarpone on a silicon spatula
5 from 1 vote

Mascarpone

Print Pin Rate
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes
Resting Time: 12 hours
Total Time: 12 hours 10 minutes

Tools

  • Kitchen Thermometer
  • Cheesecloth
  • Strainer
Makes: 10 (2 Tbsp/28g) portions (about 1⅓ Cups (280-300g)

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups heavy cream, or whipping cream
  • tsp fresh lemon juice, strained

Instructions 

  • In a saucepan, bring cream to a gentle simmer over medium heat. When it reaches 185°F (85°C), add lemon juice, stir, and gently simmer for another minute. (It will not seem thick, and that’s ok.)
  • Let cool at room temperature for around 15 minutes.
  • Line strainer with a cheesecloth, place it over a bowl and pour the cream in. Let cool another 15 minutes, then refrigerate overnight to let any liquid drain.
  • Transfer to a bowl, stir with a fork and refrigerate in an airtight container. Keeps well for about 3 days.
Tried this recipe?Let us know about it! Give a star rating & comment below.
Course: Basics
Cuisine: Italian
Season: Year-Round

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Nutrition Info: Click to Expand
Nutrition Facts
Calories
1218
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
129
g
198
%
Saturated Fat
 
82
g
513
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
6
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
33
g
Cholesterol
 
404
mg
135
%
Sodium
 
97
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
 
11
g
4
%
Fiber
 
0.02
g
0
%
Sugar
 
11
g
12
%
Protein
 
10
g
20
%
Potassium
 
346
mg
10
%
Vitamin A
 
5261
IU
105
%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
 
0.1
mg
7
%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin)
 
1
mg
59
%
Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine)
 
0.1
mg
5
%
Vitamin B12 (Cobalamin)
 
1
µg
17
%
Vitamin C
 
4
mg
5
%
Vitamin D
 
6
µg
40
%
Vitamin E
 
3
mg
20
%
Vitamin K
 
11
µg
10
%
Calcium
 
237
mg
24
%
Folate (Vitamin B9)
 
15
µg
4
%
Magnesium
 
25
mg
6
%
Selenium
 
11
µg
16
%
Zinc
 
1
mg
7
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Please keep in mind that nutritional information is an estimate and varies according to the products used.

Mascarpone can be enjoyed as part of a healthy Mediterranean diet if enjoyed in moderation. I tend to save it as a once in a while treat, like for tiramisu, alongside a wholesome meal.

Make this with your mascarpone

5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)
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