If you are craving a rich and creamy vegan mascarpone for your desserts but want to skip the dairy, this recipe is for you! This homemade vegan mascarpone is truly magical, made with just a handful of ingredients and ready in minutes. Forget complicated recipes or hard-to-find substitutes. This luscious dairy free cheese relies on the simple power of cashews and coconut milk, creating a vibrant and flavorful base for all your favorite treats! From classic tiramisu to creamy pasta sauces, this easy-to-whip-up vegan mascarpone will become your new secret weapon for plant-based indulgence! It’s ready in about 5 minutes and is perfect to use in my tiramisu jars!
Why You’ll Love This Mascarpone
It’s so easy to throw together!
This vegan mascarpone works perfectly in recipes that call for mascarpone.
It is creamy and delicious.
This recipe is made with simple ingredients.
It is perfect to use in tiramisu!
This mascarpone is dairy free, vegan, paleo and gluten free.
It can be hard to find vegan mascarpone in stores, so this easy homemade version does the trick!
What Is Mascarpone
Mascarpone is a delightful Italian cheese prized for its rich, creamy texture and subtle sweetness. Here’s a breakdown of its key characteristics:
- Texture & Flavor: The star of the show! Mascarpone boasts a luxurious, smooth, and spreadable texture. Its flavor is mildly sweet with a hint of tang, making it incredibly versatile for both sweet and savory dishes.
- Fat Content: With a fat content ranging from 60% to 75%, mascarpone is a decadent ingredient. This high fat content contributes to its incredibly creamy texture.
- Origin: Hailing from northern Italy, particularly the Lombardy region, mascarpone has been around since the late 16th or early 17th century.
- Uses: Mascarpone is a key ingredient in many classic Italian desserts, most famously tiramisu. Its creamy texture makes it ideal for frostings, fillings, dips and even sauces for pasta or vegetables.
Mascarpone is traditionally full of dairy, but I wanted to create a recipe for people who are dairy free or vegan!
Equipment Needed
All you need to make this vegan mascarpone is a food processor.
Ingredients Needed
Coconut Cream: Coconut cream gives this vegan mascarpone a delicious flavor and makes it creamy!
Cashews: Cashews are an amazing base for dairy free dips because they are so creamy. They will need to be soaked first!
Vanilla: I used vanilla extract in this vegan fruit dip to give it a delicious flavor.
Lemon: Lemon gives this vegan mascarpone a light and bright flavor.
Sweetener: I used honey in this recipe because I am not vegan, but if you are vegan and do not eat honey, feel free to use agave or maple syrup.
Salt: My favorite is Redmond’s Real Salt because it is high-quality and made with zero fillers. If you use my discount code LESSWITHLAUR you can get 15% off Redmond’s website.
Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Gather your ingredients.
Step 2: Combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth and creamy.
Step 3: Serve and enjoy or use in your favorite recipe!
Storage
Store this vegan mascarpone in the refrigerator for 3-5 days in an airtight container.
Variations
Sweetener: I used honey in this mascarpone but you can also use coconut sugar, agave or maple syrup.
Cashews: If you do not have cashews on hand, try using soaked almonds instead.
How to Serve
Vegan mascarpone, with its smooth and slightly sweet taste, offers a versatile ingredient for both sweet and savory dishes. Here are some ways to serve it up:
Sweet Treats:
- Classic Tiramisu: This is a natural pairing! Replace the traditional mascarpone with your vegan version and layer it with coffee-soaked vegan ladyfingers and cocoa powder for a delightful dessert. If you are looking for a gluten free and vegan ladyfingers recipe, make sure to try mine out!
- Fruit and Mascarpone Parfait: Layer crumbled vegan cookies or granola with fresh fruit and dollops of vegan mascarpone for a refreshing and layered treat. Drizzle with a touch of agave nectar or vegan chocolate sauce for extra indulgence.
- Vegan Cheesecake Filling: Use your vegan mascarpone as a base for a creamy and decadent cheesecake filling. You can flavor it with vanilla, lemon or even swirl in fruit jams for variety.
- Frosting and Cake Fillings: Whip your mascarpone with a little powdered sugar and vanilla extract for a light and fluffy frosting. Use it to frost cupcakes, cakes, or fill pastries.
- Pancakes and Waffles Dollop: Elevate your breakfast game with a dollop of mascarpone on top of your favorite vegan pancakes or waffles. Drizzle with maple syrup or top with fresh fruit compote.
Savory Options:
- Pizza Topping: Spread a thin layer over your pizza crust before adding other toppings for a touch of creamy richness.
- Pasta Sauce Enhancer: Stir a spoonful of into your creamy pasta sauce for an extra layer of flavor and texture.
- Soup Swirl: For a luxurious touch, swirl a spoonful of mascarpone into your favorite hot soup like butternut squash or tomato bisque.
- Canapé Spread: Spread it onto crackers or crostini for a delightful appetizer base. Top with roasted vegetables, herbs or marinated olives.
- Stuffed Vegetables: Add a dollop of vegan mascarpone to the filling of your roasted peppers, portobello mushrooms or zucchini boats for a creamy and decadent twist.
Recipe FAQ
What is vegan mascarpone made of?
This vegan mascarpone is made from a base of cashews and coconut cream.
Can you buy dairy free mascarpone?
Yes, but it can be tough to find!
What can I use in place of mascarpone?
You can use cream cheese (dairy free if needed) with a little milk added to it.
Is mascarpone ok for vegetarians?
Yes. This recipe is also fully vegan.
Can I substitute cream cheese for mascarpone?
You can try substituting cream cheese (vegan if needed) with a splash of milk for mascarpone.
Related Recipes
Be sure to try these delicious vegan recipes next:
Chocolate Covered Strawberries
If you make this vegan mascarpone and love it, I would really appreciate a 5 star review! I also love seeing your creations so please tag me on Instagram or Tik Tok.
Vegan Mascarpone
Equipment
- 1 food processor
- 1 bowl
- measuring cups and spoons
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews
- 1/2 cup coconut cream
- 1 tbsp honey
- dash salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Gather your ingredients.
- Combine all ingredients in a food processor until smooth and creamy.
- Serve and enjoy or use in your favorite recipe!
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