The key to melting cream cheese without any lumps is to use a double boiler. 3. The less you heat cheese, the better. Make the mac and cheese sauce: While whisking slowly pour in milk, add in mustard and garlic powder. In order to melt cream cheese in sauce, you will need to heat up the sauce on the stove until it is hot. Method 2: Melting it in the Microwave. Serve warm. Both of these methods need to be done carefully. Continue cooking and stirring frequently over low heat until thickened. Stir in milk and garlic. No matter your reason, melting cream cheese is easy and Im here to show you how! A double boiler is a pot of boiling water with a heat-safe bowl on top of it. Melt the butter in a large high-sided pot or Dutch oven over medium heat. But when it comes to cheesemaking, milk's most crucial component is casein: a type of protein that clumps together in families called micelles. For a creamier, smoother result, you could place some milk into the bowl with the cream cheese and heat these together. Remove wrapper, separate chocolate into small pieces, and place in a microwave safe dish. When it reaches 90 degrees Fahrenheit (32 degrees Celsius), Cream cheese softens because the solid milk fat starts to liquify. Cheese meltability is a function of its milkfat and moisture contents. If you notice areas that have not been melted after stirring, return to the microwave for 10 seconds at a time, stirring in between . Whether youre making a cheesecake or want to add cream cheese to a recipe, its important to know how to melt it without any lumps. Cover and cook for 2-3 hours on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the cheese has melted and the dip is smooth. Once the cream cheese has melted, it can be used as a sauce for pasta, vegetables, or meat. If youre using a blender or food processor to melt your cream cheese, you may find that there are some lumps remaining after the cheese has melted. 1 Tablespoon chili powder* 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin 1 teaspoon fine sea salt (plus more to taste) 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper (plus more to taste) 1 package ranch seasoning mix 8 ounces cream cheese (cubed, 1 full brick) 2 tablespoons diced fresh cilantro (for garnish) Avocado slices (optional, for garnish) Instructions Melt the cream cheese in the microwave, leaving a thin layer on the bowl to avoid splattering. Add the milk, lemon juice, vanilla, salt, and food coloring (if using). I dont know about you, but nothing does the trick like a big slice of melted cream cheese when Im in the mood for some creamy comfort food. The main cause of this phenomenon is that solid milk fat begins toliquefy. Cook for another minute, whisking constantly. This can be important when making a recipe that requires a smooth, even layer of cream cheese, such as a cheesecake or frosting. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 143,644 times. Stir after cooking. The heat from the water will gently melt the cream cheese, and you can stir it occasionally to help it along. Instructions. Do this on all four long sides of the block (s) of cream cheese. Place a small amount of butter into a microwave-safe bowl, followed by the cheese. Although this technique will not work for completely melting your brick of cream cheese, it will soften up the cheese, allowing you to more easily melt it if you wish. Melted butter is a good choice to thin out cream cheese, as the two mix easily if done properly. You can remove it from the oven, and dig into it while its still hot with whatever chips, crackers, or bread you wish to use. So next time you need melted cream cheese, dont reach for the microwave fire up the stove. Meanwhile, in a large pot set over medium heat, melt the butter and soften the cream cheese with the milk. Add the cream cheese to the pan and stir while it melts (about 6-7 minutes). Turn off the heat and add 2/3 of the chopped chocolate bar or chocolate chips to the bowl. Once water comes to boil, add pasta, return to a boil, and cook 7 minutes, stirring occasionally. Right before draining, ladle out cup of that starchy water for later. After taking a look at the techniques covered below, you can check out the section that follows to learn some tips for removing lumps from your cream cheese. Let it sit out on your counter to cool off prior to placing it in the fridge for an hour or two, after which point you can finally add the yummy toppings. It is better to melt less, and then have to melt more, than to melt too much cream cheese and have a whole lot go to waste! Simply place the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on high power in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the cream cheese is completely smooth and melted. Theyre always a big hit at parties! There are a few different ways that you can melt cream cheese without ending up with a lumpy mess. Add the cream cheese to a Potato Soup, which will please even the pickiest eaters. For example, it will melt if you keep it in the oven for too long. Just place the cream cheese in a pot or saucepan over low heat and stir with a whisk until its melted. Once your cream cheese is thawed, you can move on to melting it, then making it smooth and lump-free. However, with stabilizers (xanthan gum and carob bean gum) added, it keeps the cream and milk from separating to achieve a smooth consistency. In this section, well share some of our favorite recipes that feature cream cheese, from savory dips to decadent desserts. Turn the heat down to medium to prevent the water from boiling over. It can also be flavored with herbs, spices, or other ingredients to create a unique and delicious sauce. After roughly 15 minutes, it should be softened. A block of cream cheese is harder to melt than small pieces. Unsalted butter is best to use, as it will not alter the taste of the cream cheese too much. Cream cheese will melt at around 120 to 170 F (49 to 77 C). Get creative and see what you can come up with! Melting Cream Cheese On The Stovetop. Then, add your soup to the pot and stir until combined. Start by heating it for 10 seconds, and then if its not melted, heat it for another 10-seconds. Although this technique will not work for completely melting your brick of cream cheese, it will. If your cream cheese is not in a block, stir it instead. Bring a large pot of salted water to the boil, add the pasta then follow package directions, but cook 2 minute less than the recommended cook time. Until the cream cheese and milk are fully incorporated, combine them. Simply put the cream cheese into it, and let it work its magic for a few seconds. You could use this to top a cake or cupcakes, or even make a no-bake cheesecake. It will not come to a boil if you do not let it boil, and if you do, it will not scorch. A One-Pot Cream Cheese Chicken is perfect. You should choose from harder cheeses because of their lower melting point. Usually, this is enough time to adequately melt the cheese. If it doesn't melt thoroughly, return the pot to the heat but don't let the sauce burn. Boil macaroni according to package instructions. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Tip: Try to keep your noodles al dente as they will cook more once mixed in with the cheese. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer. If you're looking for an easy and foolproof way to melt cream cheese without using a boiler, then follow these simple steps. Cream cheese has a high milkfat (minimum 33%) and high moisture (maximum 55%) content, so technically cream cheese does melt. Finally, you can always reheat the cream cheese if it has cooled and hardened too much. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, whisking constantly. Butter It is best to shoot low on the duration you heat your cream cheese for, then add a few seconds on to the time if it has not reached the desired consistency. This will help to break up any lumps and make the cream cheese smooth again. One recipe is for tasty turtle cheesecake squares, and the other is for a melty crab dip. However, if youre looking for a thicker consistency, you can add some cornstarch or flour to the melted cheese. I'm a food photographer and recipe developer with a passion for creating healthier alternatives to all time favorite recipes. This will remove any larger pieces that may have formed. What Temp? To successfully and safely melt cream cheese in the microwave, first, remove all of the wrappings. Where To Buy Cheesecloth (And Where It Is Where is Miso Paste in the Grocery Store? Go to FODMAP. To do this, you could heat and melt the cream cheese in the microwave or on the stove, and add some milk to the mixture as it heats up. This step will ensure the cheese is evenly melted through and prevent it from sticking to the pot and/or burning. This will help to thicken it up without making it too clumpy. Continue to stir until the sauce is smooth. Plus, it comes together in just one pot, so cleanup is a breeze. Add in more whipped cream to reach your desired consistency and taste. Instructions Once all of the water is added, slowly stirring constantly until all of the water is added. Stir in the sour cream to combine with the sauce. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Add in 1 tablespoon of whipped cream to an 8 oz block of cream cheese, stirring together well. You can use whichever option is most convenient for you. Cream cheese is a type of soft cheese made from milk and cream. Let the brie sit out at room temperature so that it won't be exposed to heat as long. My name is Jaron. Stir until fully melted, and then add more and stir until all cheese has been added and melted together. Here you can find more cream cheese nutrition facts. If you have the time, allow the cream cheese to sit in the bowl for 30 minutes, and then cut it up into small pieces. Too much heat will ruin the cream cheese, with a more gentle process being much more effective. To use this method, first fill the bottom pot of your double boiler with water and set it over medium heat. Melt butter on a saucepan over medium-high heat. Once it has melted, you can remove it from the heat and use it as desired. Step 1: Melt the cream cheese in a bowl over a pot of simmering water. This method takes a bit longer than the others, but its very low-risk for ending up with lumpy cream cheese. The microwave method is the quickest and most foolproof way to melt cream cheese. The cream cheese will eventually get to a point where you cant flip it over, as it will be too soft. Cold cream cheese is much harder to melt evenly. If you have a particularly powerful microwave, you might want to switch the microwave down to 50% power, so the cream cheese does not become too hot too fast. Learn more Melted cheese can be used as a delicious sauce for many dishes. Fit the bowl over the pot, making sure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water. If you leave cream cheese on the counter overnight, the soften cream cheese will take an hour to soften. Cream cheese is an acid-set cheese, which means that the cheese curd is formed by either adding an acid (usually vinegar or lemon juice) to milk or by using acid-producing bacteria in the culture, read how its made here. Its versatile and flavorful, and it melts beautifully. The bowl should be big enough to fit the cream cheese in, but not so big that its touching the water. Stir in the corn, half-and-half, sugar, and salt. Cook pasta according to package instructions. Lemon juice also works well to thin out cream cheese, and gives it an extra hint of tartness as well. Once it looks and feels smooth and has been evenly melted, give it a final stir and then remove the pan from the heat. Place the block of cream cheese into a heat-proof bowl. Finally, microwave the cheese on To melt cream cheese using the hot water method, simply place the cream cheese in a heat-proof bowl and set it over a pot of simmering water. When it comes to preparing various types of cream cheese, one of the most frequently asked questions is whether or not it melts in a pot. Stir frequently, whisk to remove any lumps and it's done as soon as everything is melted! wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. However, if you do not have a double boiler, you can use the basic double boiler method using some milk, a pot, bowls, and an instant-read thermometer. Drain pasta and reserve 1/2 cup pasta water. It should take about 15 seconds with your microwave on high to soften up a whole brick of cream cheese. If you find that your cream cheese is not as smooth as you would like it to be, there are a few ways you can address this issue. What are some tips for melting cream cheese? If youve ever tried to melt cream cheese, you know that it can be a bit tricky. Mascarpone is another option for soften and thin cream cheese. The smaller the pieces, the faster they'll melt in the microwave. So there you have it everything you need to know about melting cream cheese! Were committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Avoid heating the cream cheese with the butter in the microwave unless you want to melt the cream cheese. The higher the milkfat and moisture, the more likely the cheese is to liquefy and flow nicely. Yes, cream cheese will be easier to spread if it is whipped. Variations For cream cheese, on the other hand, the calcium ions are dissolved in higher acidity, which resulted in the caseins simply binding one another into curd clumps. After the cream cheese has been beaten, it will be light and fluffy. Continue to stir the cream cheese and water until youve reached the melted cream cheese. Simmer over low heat, stirring constantly for 3 minutes. Simply place the cream cheese in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until its completely smooth. Not everything needs to be dissolved, but the cream cheese does need to be softened. It can also be used in savory dishes such as dips or sauces. It should take around an hour for your cream cheese to soften up, and make sure you do not let it sit out at room temperature for more than a couple hours, or it might go bad. Get the recipe: Queso Dip If your cream cheese is in a tub, transfer it to a microwave-safe bowl as well. As a result, in the crockpot, combine cream cheese curdle. The best way to melt cream cheese is in the microwave or on the stovetop. Some people find cream cheese to be a bit annoying to deal with due to the perceived difficulty in regards to making it smooth and free of lumps.