How To Make Your Own Cream Cheese

There's a lot to love about cream cheese. There's the fact that it makes breakfast bagels feel like a complete meal. There's the cheesecake it makes possible. And there are the countless other recipes cream cheese adds greatness to. We love cream cheese. And here's the best part: it's even better when it's homemade. 

Homemade cream cheese -- which trust us, is actually easy to make -- is well worth the effort. It's creamier, more flavorful and just too simple not to try. Plus, it's just asking for some creative flavors to be added to it. A basic recipe calls for just three things: high-quality cream, mesophilic cheese culture (which you can order on Amazon) and cheese cloth. It doesn't even require a stove -- just lots of waiting time.

If you're one of those people who adores cream cheese, the recipe above is for you. And if you're one of those people who whips up ricotta on the fly, let this be your newest cheese-making project. And if you're one of those people who loves cream cheese, but can't eat dairy, we have a vegan recipe for you below.

There's no excuse -- go make some cheese.

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