Can I Use Neufchâtel Cheese For Cheesecake?
Yes, you can use Neufchâtel Cheese for different types of cheesecakes instead of cream cheese and other types of cheese. However, for vegan cheesecake, you can use it and for some other types of cheesecake, it’s not recommended. A table is given below for a better understanding.
| Types of Cheesecakes | Can You Use Neufchatel Cheese |
| Baked Cheesecake | Yes |
| No-Baked Cheesecake | Yes |
| New York-Style Cheesecake | Yes (Recommended) |
| Ricotta Cheesecake | Yes (Not Recommended) |
| Japanese “Cotton” | Yes (Not Recommended) |
| Vegan Cheesecake | No |
Pros And Cons of Using Neufchâtel Cheese For Cheesecake?
You can certainly use Neufchâtel cheese in your cheesecake recipe. If you do, here comes the pros & cons-
Pros
- If you are on a diet, making cheesecake with Neufchâtel cheese can be a bonus. Neufchâtel cheese is exceptionally low in fat, so enjoy your cheesecake with heart content.
- If you like the extra tanginess in your cheesecake, then you’ll love cheesecake made of Neufchâtel cheese. This cheese is tangier than other cheeses.
Cons
- Neufchâtel cheese is softer and lighter than other cheese. So, even if you make a cheesecake with this cheese, it won’t be amazing. The use of Neufchâtel cheese in cheesecake should be limited, otherwise, the cake won’t even take the shape as the cheese is way too soft.
- As the texture of Neufchâtel cheese is grainy, so unlike cream cheese cheesecake which is smooth and melts in the mouth, this cheese cheesecake won’t be smooth, but rather grainy.
- If you don’t like stronger tangy flavors, then you won’t love Neufchâtel cheese cheesecakes.
Can I Use Neufchâtel Cheese For Baked Cheesecake?
Yes, you can use Neufchatel Cheese for baked cheesecakes instead of cream cheese. There won’t be any difference in taste and the tone of the cake will also remain as usual.
Pros
- Very low-fat content.
- Tastes the same as cream cheese cheesecake.
- Looks also similar to cream cheese cheesecakes!
Cons
- Don’t use too much neufchâtel cheese than mentioned in the recipe, otherwise the cake will be deformed.
- Use extra sugar if you want to avoid the extra tanginess of Neufchâtel
How much to Use?
First I’ve mentioned that neufchâtel cheese is softer and thinner than cream cheese. So, you can use an equal quantity of Neufchâtel cheese instead of cream cheese. Use a small amount of neufchâtel cheese for your recipe. Don’t use more than 2 packs(8 ounces). It’ll serve 10 people.
Is it recommended?
Well, it depends on your choice now. If you’re on a diet and craving cheesecake, then neufchâtel can help you. You’ll get the chance to enjoy your cheesecake to your heart’s content. Though, to be very honest, the taste won’t be as similar or as amazing as cream cheese cheesecakes. So, the choice is yours!
Can I Use Neufchatel Cheese For No-Baked Cheesecake?
Yes, you can! Just like the traditional baked cheesecake, you can use Neufchatel cheese in no-baked cheesecake too. The difference between baked cheesecake and no-baked cheesecake is, baked cheesecake is dense and creamy. Whereas, no-baked cheesecake is soft, light, and like mousse.
For non-baked cheesecake, all you have to do is beat all the ingredients like neufchâtel cheese, granulated sugar, heavy cream, vanilla extract and lime juice at medium speed. Make sure the texture is like mousse-like consistency. Then, simply place the cake in the fridge for 6-8 hours to solidify! There you go with your delicious no-bake cheesecake!
Pros
- Very low in fat, so diet-friendly cheesecake!
- Very easy to make and delicious to taste!
Cons
- Don’t overuse the neufchâtel cheese, as it’s soft, and it may deform the shape.
- Slightly tangier taste than the other no-baked cheesecakes.
How much to Use?
I’ve used 2 blocks of neufchâtel cheese, 8 ounces both. That was perfect for 5 servings. I hereby mention that, don’t overuse the neufchâtel cheese as it’s very soft and thin in texture. Overusing this cheese will deform your precious cake.
Is it recommended?
Well, it certainly depends on you. If you want, you can use the neufchâtel cheese for your no-baked cheesecake. It’ll taste quite similar and look almost similar.
Can I Use Neufchâtel Cheese For New York-Style Cheesecake?
Yes, Neufchâtel Cheese can be used for New York-Style Cheesecake. When we talk about New York-style cheesecake, it’s just that the cake will be smooth, soft and rich in cheese. Most of the time cream cheese is the main ingredient as it gives a smooth texture with heavy thick creaminess. However, you can also use neufchâtel cheese as this one is soft, tasty and gives almost similar results.
For a New York-style cheesecake made of neufchâtel cheese, you’ll need 3 blocks(24 ounces) of softened neufchâtel cheese, vanilla extract, any sweetener, heavy cream, and lemon juice. Then, in the baking pan press down the crust and let it chill. Then, beat all the ingredients at medium speed. Pour the mixture into the baking pan and smoothen the surface. Let the cake chill in the fridge for about 6-8 hours before serving!
Pros
- Low in carb and extremely diet-friendly.
- Heavenly tasty!
- Tastes are almost similar to cheesecake made of cream cheese.
Cons
- Don’t use too much neufchâtel cheese because this cheese is softer than the other cheese.
- To avoid the tanginess, avoid extra sweeteners.
How much Neufchâtel cheese for New York-style cheesecake?
Though New York-style cheesecake is filled with heavy cheese, it melts in your mouth and makes you cry with the heavenly taste! However, as I’ve mentioned before, excessive neufchâtel cheese can make your cheesecake a deformed shape. So, don’t use more than 3 blocks of neufchâtel cheese in New York-style cheesecake.
Is it recommended?
Yes, it is. You can use neufchâtel cheese for your New York-style cheesecake. It’ll taste rich, amazing, and tangy!
Can I Use Neufchâtel Cheese For Ricotta Cheesecake?
Yup, you can use neufchâtel cheese for Ricotta cheesecake but you’ll also need Ricotta cheese! For ricotta cheesecake, let’s see what we’ll have to do. You’ll need butter, whole milk ricotta cheese, neufchâtel cheese, granulated sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs! First, crush the cookies and make the crust and let it rest. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
Then, mix your ricotta cheese with neufchâtel cheese in a blender, and then add the sugar, vanilla extract, and eggs. Blend at medium speed. Pour the mixture into the chilling crust! Let the cake bake for 60 minutes and serve by decorating it with some berries!
Pros
- The taste will be amazing and rich in cheese!
- Diet-friendly with low fat.
Cons
- Overusing the neufchâtel cheese can deform the shape of your cake.
How much is Neufchatel cheese for Ricotta cheesecake?
Don’t use more than 2 packages(8 ounces) of neufchâtel cheese. Otherwise, the taste will be tangier and you won’t like the taste. Plus, the cake will be way too soft!
Is it recommended?
If you don’t have cream cheese and you must make a cheesecake, then you can use neufchâtel cheese as a substitute. However, though the taste and look are almost similar, the taste of cream cheese is sweeter than neufchâtel cheese. So, you can use neufchâtel cheese, but cream cheese will be better.
Can I Use Neufchâtel Cheese For Japanese “Cotton” Cheesecake?
Yes, you can use neufchâtel cheese to make this jiggly and fluffy cotton cheesecake! It has a sweet and tangy flavor that melts inside your mouth. You’ll need neufchâtel cheese, cake flour, cornstarch, milk, butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and lime juice. With these ingredients, you can easily make this mouth-watering and satisfying Japanese cotton cheesecake!
Pros
- Tastes are super amazing and rich in cheese.
- Get your low-carb cheesecake!
Cons
- If you use too much neufchâtel, then the cake will be way too soft and deform.
- Avoid the tangy taste by not adding lemon juice.
How much is Neufchâtel cheese for Japanese “cotton” cheesecake?
You can use 2 blocks(8 ounces) of neufchâtel cheese for the cotton cheesecake. Don’t use more than this amount, otherwise, your cake will be deformed.
Is it recommended?
It’s like if you’ve no other option than neufchâtel cheese, then you can use it. Don’t use it if you’ve cream cheese in hand. Though the taste will be almost similar, cream cheese is better.
Can I Use Neufchâtel Cheese For Vegan Cheesecake?
No, you can’t. For vegan cheesecake, vegan cheese is used. Vegan cheese is made of crushed cashew. Neufchâtel cheese is made of raw milk, so you can’t use neufchâtel cheese for vegan cheesecake.
What Kind of Cheese Is Neufchâtel?
Neufchâtel cheese is a French cheese. The origin of this cheese was back then in the 6th century and named after a town in Normandy. Though Neufchatel is one of the oldest known cheeses in France, the making process remains the same, which is outstanding.
Unlike other cheeses which are made of pasteurized milk, neufchâtel is made of cow raw milk. When the raw milk is left open to get ripened, it becomes soft and bloomy. Then the cheesemaker wraps the cheese in a soft rind, so it can have natural mold growth and produce an edible rind.
The cheesemaker let it ripen for at least 6-8 weeks before it’s consumable. If you keep the mold longer, the former the cheese will become. Anyways, outside of France, people use pasteurized cow milk to produce neufchâtel cheese nowadays.
However, unlike cream cheese, neufchâtel cheese isn’t popular in other countries than France. As neufchâtel cheese is made of raw milk which is illegal in the United States and many other countries. One point to remember, neufchâtel cheese has a grainy texture like ricotta cheese. Plus, this cheese is tangier in taste than regular cream cheese. The tangy taste comes from the long-time maturing and rind.
What Is A Better Substitute for Neufchâtel?
You can find many better options if you lack neufchâtel cheese. For example-
1. Cottage Cheese: Low in fat, rich in protein. Highly creamy and makes a healthy dessert. The taste is mild.
2. Greek Yogurt: Best choice instead of cream cheese. It’s thicker and smoother like cream cheese. Less fat and high protein. Sour taste.
3. Tofu: For vegan cheesecake, you can substitute tofu for cream cheese. It’s perfect for vegan-friendly desserts. Tofu has a slightly tangy flavor and as tofu absorbs water very much, you’ve added cornstarch or flour.
5. Ricotta: Italian cream cheese “Ricotta” is soft and grainy. It’s used in many savory dishes. To make cheesecake, don’t forget to mix ricotta cheese with heavy cream together.
6. Mascarpone: This is a very soft and smooth Italian cheese just like cream cheese. This has a rich creamy texture which can substitute cream cheese very well.
A related article is for you – Substitute for white cheddar cheese
Is Neufchatel Cheese The Same as Cream Cheese?
No, they aren’t similar. Though neufchâtel and cream cheese are used as substitutes, they aren’t similar. Here are the basic differences-
Texture & Flavour
Neufchâtel is much softer and lighter. As, neufchâtel is made from whole raw milk, so the flavor is stronger, saltier, and tangier.
Cream cheese is extremely thick and smooth unlike the grainy texture of neufchâtel. The taste of cream cheese is also sweeter than neufchâtel.
Fat Content
Neufchâtel is used in cheesecake because of its low-fat content. However, cream cheese has high-fat content than neufchâtel cheese.
Shelf Life
If you keep neufchâtel cheese normally, the expiration date will be after 2-3 weeks. If stored in the refrigerator, then it can be used for 4-5 weeks.
The cream cheese expiry date is printed on the package. However, it can be used until 3-4 weeks after opening.
Can I Mix Different Types of Cheese for Cheesecake?
Yes, you can! You can mix two different types of cheese for cheesecake. Such as- cream cheese with ricotta cheese cheesecake is superbly popular and tastes like a bomb! It tastes magnificent, rather better than those made of one type of cheese! Plus, you can mix different types of cheese and experiment with which works better! Let us know if you’ve tried any different types of cheese dessert/cheesecake recipes!
Neufchatel Cheesecake Recipe
As I’ve mentioned all the pros and cons of using Neufchâtel cheese in your cheesecake, you can use this cheese in your cheesecake if you want. I have an ideal recipe for philadelphia Cheesecake made of Neufchâtel cheese. Let’s go-
Ingredients
- 2 packages(8 ounces) of Neufchâtel cheese
- 1/2 Cup Greek Yoghurt
- 1/2 Cup White Sugar
- 2 Large Eggs
- 1 1/2 tbsp All-purpose Flour
- 1 Large Lime Juice
- Graham Cracker Crust(1 piece/9 inch)
- 1 tbsp Vanilla Essence
Direction
- At first preheat the oven to 350°F(175°C)
- Place a tin foil and brush the sides of the cake pan with butter/oil.
- Press the crumbs on the foil with your fingers well. Let it rest in the fridge for 20-30 minutes.
- Now, beat the Neufchâtel cheese and sugar in a large bowl. Try using an electric mixer because it gives a smooth texture.
- Slowly add flour and mix it until it’s well combined.
- Add greek yogurt to the mixture and beat at medium speed, to see if there are any lumps.
- At last add the lime juice, and vanilla and mix everything well.
- Pour the mix on the cracker crust and bake in the preheated oven for 60-90 minutes.
- After the baking period, let it cool for 30-40 minutes and refrigerate it for 3 hours before serving!
NB: While using Vanilla Essence make sure not to overuse it. It can make the cheesecake yellow not white.
That’s all for now. Hope you understand everything about cheesecake and Neufchatel cheese.
