Homemade Cream Cheese
Simple, inexpensive, and made from everyday ingredients! Homemade cream cheese turns out very similar to store-bought, but 100% natural with no additives. It can be used for desserts or savory snacks.
Updated : 16 September, 2025
Easy
More than 1 hour.
Ingredients
500 grams
Sour cream
500 milliliters
Kefir
to taste
Salt
Table
Table of volume measurements:
- teaspoon - 5 ml
- dessert spoon - 10 ml
- tablespoon - 20 ml
- glass - 200 ml
Preparation
Step 1
Prepare the ingredients. You’ll need only two - sour cream and kefir. Choose them carefully, since the taste and quality of the dairy will determine the final cheese. Use the freshest sour cream and kefir, not ones stored too long. Select natural products without vegetable fats.
Step 2
The fat content can be any, but it will affect the yield. With low-fat dairy, you’ll get less cheese. I used 20% sour cream and 2.5% kefir. Pour sour cream and kefir into a large bowl. Add a pinch of salt, even if you plan to use the cheese for desserts - it enhances the flavor. For savory cheese, add more salt to taste later.
Step 3
Mix the sour cream and kefir well with a whisk until combined.
Step 4
Place a colander in a large bowl or pot. Line it with several layers of cheesecloth or a linen towel. Pour the sour cream and kefir mixture into the colander. Let it stand at room temperature for 1-2 hours. Then, without folding the fabric ends, transfer the setup to the fridge for 5 hours.
Step 5
During this time, much whey will drain out. Pour it off - you can use it for making pancakes. The cheese mass will become thicker, but not yet final. To thicken more, gather the edges of the cloth to the center, place a plate on top, and set a weight (e.g., a jar of water). Return to the fridge for 8-12 hours.
Step 6
After this, you’ll get a thick, creamy product similar to cream cheese, with a pleasant tang. Transfer to a glass jar and refrigerate. Shelf life: 5-7 days. From 450 g sour cream and 450 ml kefir, I got about 400 g cheese.
Step 7
I used this cheese to make sweet bagels - spread on top, add fresh blueberries, and drizzle with honey. Delicious!