How to Make Your Own Spreadable Cheese

Store-bought spreadable cheese can be quite costly. If you are looking for a fun appetizer to serve, consider making your own spreadable cheese. You can serve your spreadable cheese with crackers, bread or fruit. Spreadable cheese is also perfect for covering your morning bagels. The best part about making your own cheese is that you can be confident it is fresh.

Things You'll Need

• 1 qt. whole milk
• 1 cup local heavy cream
• 4 tbsp. white vinegar
• Salt
• Cheesecloth
• Strainer

Instructions

1. Pour the milk and cream in to a large pot and bring them to 195 degrees F. Stir the milk and cream constantly or it will begin to burn on the bottom of the pot.

2. Stir for ten minutes, then remove the milk and cream from the heat.

3. Add the vinegar and a shake of salt, and give the ingredients a good stir. Allow it to sit for 20 minutes. The ingredients will begin to separate.

4. Place a piece of cheesecloth in the bottom of a strainer. Set the strainer in a clean sink.

5. Set the contents of the pot in to the strainer. The liquid that runs through is called whey. You don't want to keep the whey, so let it all drain out.

6. Leave the cheese in the strainer for at least one hour. If you still see drainage, let it sit another hour or two. Remove the curds from the cheesecloth and roll them in to a ball.

7. Place your spreadable cheese ball in a plastic container, or wrap it in a piece of plastic wrap. Store in the refrigerator.

Tips & Warnings

• Add any herbs or spices that you like to the cheese to give it a little more flavor.

• Honey and nuts are also make great additives to your spreadable cheese.

• The homemade spreadable cheese will go bad after seven days.

References

• Planet Green: Homemade Soft Spreadable Cheese
• All Recipes: Homemade Fresh Cheese