Is Cream Cheese Gluten
Question: Is cream cheese gluten-free?
Answer: Cream cheese naturally does not contain gluten. Gluten is found in wheat, rye, barley, spelt, and other grains. The typical ingredients in cream cheese are milk, cream, cheese culture, salt, and locust bean gum, xanthan gum or carob bean gum . These ingredients are gluten-free. Gluten is not a necessary ingredient to make cream cheese.
We took a look at a few cream cheese brands to see if the companies indicated that their cream cheese is gluten-free. Here is what we found:
- Organic Valley The cream cheese and Neufchatel are gluten-free.
- Challenge Dairy Gluten-free per contact with the company.
- Cabot Gluten-free per their website.
- Daiya Their cream cheese style spreads are gluten-free. Flavors include plain, strawberry, and chive & onion.
- Nancys Gluten-free per their website.
- Green Valley Organic No gluten in the cream cheese per the company.
- Philadelphia The manufacturer will list gluten containing ingredients, if any, on the label. For example, natural flavor . They will not label products gluten-free unless they have been tested to meet the FDA definition of gluten-free . See here for additional details. We could not find gluten containing ingredients in the cream cheese we reviewed. However, we also noticed that the products were not labeled as gluten-free on the packaging.
How To Make A Dairy Free Cream Cheese Board
Here are the steps to make your dairy free cream cheese board. This is just an overview of steps, the full recipe card with ingredients is at the end of the post.
Savory cream cheese board
Since this will be sitting out at room temperature for a little while, try to use this all up by the end of the party or gathering. You can store any leftovers in the fridge, but try to use leftovers within 1 or 2 days if it has been left at room temperature for quite a while.
Recipe: How To Make Dairy
I love this Paleo cream cheese recipe!
Its so simple and versatile, the perfect addition to your next breakfast. Its free of inflammatory gluten, dairy, and soy, which is great news for your health. Its also a great option for anyone with nut allergies.
And as with all my favorite recipes, you have tons of options to customize it and make it your own!
Youll notice one of the choices in the recipe is to add nutritional yeast. Nutritional yeast gives it a savory, cheesy flavor that makes it perfect for wraps or melted into gluten-free, corn-free pasta.
Nutritional yeast has a lot of health benefits, including fiber and B vitamins. However, it causes tummy upset for some folks, so test it out first to be sure it agrees with you.
You can dial up the savory notes even more by adding 1/2 teaspoon of garlic powder and 2 teaspoons of freeze-dried chives to your cream cheese. The garlicky onion flavor makes it the perfect dip for fresh veggies or lentil chips.
Or take it in a totally different direction! Leave out the nutritional yeast and stir in 2 tablespoons of chopped organic strawberries or blueberries and a dash of monk fruit sweetener.
Then use your fruity cream cheese to top a gluten-free English muffin, Paleo Pancakes, or stir 2 tablespoons into your next smoothie for some healthy fats!
No matter what version you make or how you use it, youre going to come back to this quick, adaptable recipe again and again!
Recommended Reading: Gluten Free Alfredo Sauce Brands
Can It Be Used For Piping
Yes, it’s pipeable, just make sure that it’s very cold. You can add the frosting to your prepared piping bag , refrigerate it for 30 minutes, and then pipe.
If it gets too warm while you are piping, return the bag to the fridge for 15-20 minutes and then continue.
You can use it for piping simple designs, like the cupcakes you see in this post, but it’s never going to be as firm as a buttercream.
If you are looking to make fancier, more complicated designs, I would stick to using vanilla buttercream frosting for those types of jobs.
How To Make It
NOTE: For the best texture and consistency, a stand mixer or an electric hand mixer is best to make your frosting. If you dont have either, you can still make it by hand, just use a wooden spoon, and keep in mind that youll need to beat it a little longer to get the proper texture and consistency.
If your powdered sugar has any large lumps in it, sift it before starting.
1. Add the butter and salt to a bowl and mix for a few minutes, until it’s light and creamy.
2. Next, add the cream cheese and mix at low speed, just until it has mixed together with the butter, don’t over mix!
3. Next, add half of the powdered sugar and mix at low speed. When everything has been combined, add the second half of the powdered sugar.
4.Stop the mixer occasionally to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Again, don’t over mix, stop once all the ingredients have been combined.
5.Add the vanilla.
6.Add the lemon juice and mix again until everything has been incorporated into the frosting.
The final step is to chill it so it firms up since at this point, it’s going to be very soft.
Scoop the frosting into an airtight container, cover and chill for at least 1 hour OR place a piece of plastic wrap directly on top of the frosting while it’s still in the mixing bowl and place it in the refrigerator to chill and firm up for at least 1 hour.
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Main Gluten Concern With Cream Cheese
If you live in a home where others eat food containing gluten, watch out for cross contamination or implement measures to keep your cream cheese pure.
When buying snacks with cream cheese, verify that the entire platter is gluten-free. If not, assume that it is not and find a better alternative. Some snack packs seal the cream cheese off, but there is still a slight chance of cross-contamination.
Ordering cream cheese on your bagels or other food when youre at a cafe or restaurant is trickier. Most places will have gluten-free accommodation in place, but you need to make a request or ensure this is standard practice.
You may need to request they open a new package to make sure there is no chance that someone double dipped in the spread.
Depending on how much you love cream cheese, it may be well worth the additional work to keep your cream cheese pure and gluten-free.
How To Avoid Runny Cream Cheese Frosting
Vegan cream cheese is very different from regular cream cheese. It’s much softer and never gets as firm, so to adapt and ensure this recipe works well for you, make sure to always do the following:
- Add the cream cheese to the recipe straight from the fridge. Don’t let it sit at room temperature and don’t soften it. Add it while it’s still hard.
- Don’t overbeat the mixture once the cream cheese has been added. Doing this, for some reason, makes the cream cheese runny. I tested this recipe with a few different vegan cream cheese brands and it was the same thing every time. After mixing the butter and adding the cream cheese, mix for only about 30 seconds or until it has fully mixed into the butter. Once the powdered sugar has been added, be careful not to over mix at that stage either.
- Make sure your vegan butter is not too soft and not melted. See the Ingredient Notes and Substitutions section above for info on figuring out if your butter is at the right temperature.
- Use vegan stick butter and not margarine that comes in a container. They are too soft for this recipe.
- Don’t skip the chilling time! This step cannot be skipped or your frosting will be too soft.
Don’t be tempted to add extra vanilla or any other liquid to the recipe.What the recipe calls for is all it can take. If you are adding colour, use a VERY SMALL AMOUNT of a colour gel, don’t use water-based colours. See above for more info on adding colour.
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What Cheeses Are Gluten And Dairy Free
Although many people prefer vegan cheese options to replace traditional dairy cheese. Some of the most popular gluten and dairy free cheeses are made from nuts, such as almond, cashew, and macadamia nut cheeses.
These vegan options are a great way to get the creamy texture and flavor of cheese without the gluten and dairy. Other dairy and gluten free cheeses are made from coconut or soy milk, or even tapioca and arrowroot.
These cheeses usually have a mild flavor, and they are most often used in vegan dishes such as vegan quesadillas and vegan pizzas. There are also lactose-free processed cheeses made from vegetable oils and calcium caseinate, as well as aged and processed cheeses made from goat or sheep milk.
If youre looking for a spreadable cheese, you may want to try some of the vegan options such as vegan cream cheese, vegan boursin cheese, or vegan goat cheese made from soaked cashews and nutritional yeast.
No matter what type of gluten and dairy free cheese you choose, they all make great replacements for traditional cheese.
Troubleshooting Common Problems & Questions
If It Cracks…Don’t worry about it! It happens to me too. It’s usually from overmixing. If it does happen, use it as an excuse to dollop on fresh dairy-free whipped cream, caramel sauce, or fruit compote!
Cooking MethodMost classic cheesecake recipes recommend using a springform pan and a hot water bath, and I recommend the same for this dairy-free treat. I can’t speak to other methods!Cooling CheesecakeWhen it comes to cooling the dairy-free cheesecake after it’s done baking, I found that the best method was to allow the cheesecake to cool with the oven slightly cracked for 1 hour, then cool at room temperature, before moving to a refrigerator to cool overnight. You don’t want to shock the cheesecake with drastic temperature changes.
Give yourself a good amount of time.This recipe has many steps and a good amount of time required for baking and cooling the cheesecake. Don’t rush!
Follow. The. Recipe.This recipe is specifically formulated using the ingredients you see listed here. If you decide to change anything or substitute other ingredients, they may come out differently than expected and I cannot speak to your results. My experience is in gluten-free and some dairy-free baking, but not allergy-free, vegan, or egg-free. You can always email me: with any questions and I’m happy to help troubleshoot the best I can.
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Gluten Free Spice Cake With Dairy Free Cream Cheese Frosting
Send your tastebuds into overdrive with this gluten free spice cake! It’s topped with a delectable dairy free cream cheese frosting that’s a perfect combination of sweet and spice. This one-bowl cake makes a beautiful birthday, anniversary or anytime dessert!
And another bonus for this tasty, Fall-inspired cake – there are no eggs in the recipe! That’s right, no eggs, but still a fluffy, high rising cake… sounds impossible? Check out the tips for helping it to get that gorgeous height!
This post contains affiliate links. Affiliate links support Zest For Baking at no additional cost to you. I receive a commission if you choose to make a purchase through these links.
Tips And Tricks For Perfect Cheddar Drop Biscuits
- Do not over-mix the dough- Just mix enough until everything is combined.
- Remember, these are DROP biscuits, so they arent supposed to look pretty or uniform in size and shape.
- For ultra cheesy biscuits, add 2 full cups of cheese. You only need 1 to mix the ingredients around, but two takes it up a notch!
- You can also make these biscuits slightly larger and used as rolls or burger buns.
- Remember, if using vegan and dairy-free cheese, PLEASE use torn up slices or self-shredded cheese. Packaged vegan shredded cheese does not melt well at all .
Read Also: Bob’s Red Mill Gluten Free Oatmeal
Love This Recipe Save It For Later
Cuisine: Category:
If youve been looking for a dairy-free cheesecake option without eggs or gluten, I hope you love this recipe. With nuts, maple syrup, and coconut milk and oil, you know this recipe is full of healthy fats without any of the dairy or refined sugar that normally comes with cheesecake.
Love this recipe? You might love some of my other gluten and dairy-free recipes!
If you loved this post, I hope that youll share it with your friends on and pin it for future reference on .
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More Facts On Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese
- Price: $4.49 per 8-ounce tub
- Availability: Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese is sold refrigerated at Whole Foods, Albertsons/Safeway stores, and various other grocers and small chains in the U.S.
- Certifications: Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese is Certified Kosher Parve.
- Dietary Notes: By ingredients, Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese is dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, nut-free, peanut-free, vegan, and vegetarian.*
- For More Product Information: Visit the Tofutti website at www.tofutti.com.
*Always read the ingredient and nutrition statement prior to consumption. Ingredients, processes, and labeling are subject to change at any time for any company or product. Contact the company to discuss their manufacturing processes if potential allergen cross-contamination is an issue for you. No food product can be guaranteed safe for every individuals needs. You should never rely on ingredient and allergen statements alone if dealing with a severe food allergy.
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To Fix Frosting That’s Too Thick:
This will likely not be an issue with this recipe, but just in case it is, you can fix it by adding a very small amount of dairy-free milk, a quarter teaspoon at a time until you get the consistency you want.
Are you new to vegan gluten-free baking? If so, be sure to read all of my vegan gluten-free baking tips!
What Can I Eat If Im Dairy
If you are dairy-free and gluten-free, there are still plenty of foods you can enjoy! To make sure your diet is balanced and nutritious, focus on including a variety of nutrient-dense foods and avoiding processed foods as much as possible.
When it comes to proteins, stick with lean meats like chicken and fish, tofu, beans, and eggs. You can also get protein from quinoa, which is both gluten-free and dairy-free. Fruits and vegetables are also essential to a healthy diet.
You can enjoy leafy greens, berries, melon, pineapple, squash, potatoes, carrots, and more.
Additionally, you can enjoy gluten-free grains like millet, amaranth, buckwheat, and teff. Nuts and seeds are also great options to incorporate into your diet if youre dairy-free and gluten-free. Almonds, walnuts, sunflower seeds, chia seeds, and pumpkin seeds can all be enjoyed as snacks or added to various dishes.
When it comes to snacks, look for gluten-free and dairy-free cereal, gluten-free crackers, popcorn, gluten-free and dairy-free chips, corn chips, and nut and seed snacks.
As you can see, there are plenty of delicious foods to enjoy if you are dairy-free and gluten-free!
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Ingredients For Vegan Ricotta Cheese
Cashew NutHimalayan pink saltOat milk
Yes, you got it right! I made this with only 5 easily available ingredients. Most of the time, I try to use simple and inexpensive ingredients. So, therefore, this delicious vegan ricotta recipe is quick, easy and within the budget.
Ingredients Notes:
- Cashew Nuts I used this to bring pit the sweet flavor without too many processing. Cashews have their own sweet nutty flavor which makes this ricotta cheese recipe appetizing and looks beautifully white too.
- Nutritional yeast it adds cheesy flavor to it. At the same time, it has a nutty savory flavor to it which enhances the flavor of any recipe. Moreover, it high in fiber and vitamin B-12.
- Lemon juice this not only adds vitamin C but adds a subtle tang to it.
- Himalayan pink salt This gives a nice salty flavor to it. Moreover, it is said that pink salt is higher in minerals.
- Oat milk Even though you may use any dairy free milk in here but I personally liked the taste of oat milk in this recipe. It gave a nice smooth sweet flavor to this ricotta.
How to make Vegan Ricotta Cheese
Firstly, I soaked cashew nuts in warm water followed by draining. This process helps this nut to soften which in turn enables easy blending.
Secondly, I combined all the ingredients in the blender and blended it smooth. Its ok if this cheese is slightly grainy.
Next, I wrapped a bowl with kitchen towels and spooned the cheese out of the blender into it.
Later, I refrigerated it for only 10 minutes.
