Mascarpone recipe | Gourmet Traveller recipe (2024)

Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for mascarpone.

Jan 21, 2011 12:27am

By Lisa Featherby

  • 5 mins preparation
  • 15 mins cooking plus cooling, chilling, setting
  • Serves 6
  • Mascarpone recipe | Gourmet Traveller recipe (1)

    Print

Mascarpone, the spreadable, whiskable, versatile Italian cream cheese, is simple to make. Unlike hard cheeses, it requires no difficult-to-obtain culture or humidity-controlled storage area, and the process of transforming the simplest of dairy ingredients into something luscious is immensely satisfying.

Traditionally, raw milk is the starting point for making mascarpone. The milk is left to stand overnight at cool room temperature, during which time the cream naturally rises to the surface of the milk and acquires a slight tartness from the bacteria that grow spontaneously in the milk. The resulting cultured cream is then mixed with an equal quantity of whole milk, heated, acidified (usually with tartaric acid), and drained.

A more practical method, given that raw milk isn't available for sale in Australia, is to use natural cream with no thickening agents, as we've done here. The resulting mascarpone doesn't have the flavour of cultured cream, but it nevertheless reflects the characteristics of the cream used, whether it's grassy or more neutral, organic or conventional, from King Island or from the local supermarket.

We recommend using heavy cream, because its fat content (45 per cent) will result in a thick, rich mascarpone. You could use a regular pouring cream with a fat content of 35 per cent, but the result won't be as rich, and you'll need to spend more time draining the whey to achieve the thick consistency you're after.

To acidify, we've used lemon juice. Other recipes call for vinegar or tartaric acid - they all work, although the proportions needed are a little different.

Gently heat the cream to 80C, and then add the lemon juice, enough to coagulate the cream but not so much as to result in sourness. Leave the mixture to stand at room temperature to cool gently and then refrigerate it until the mixture coagulates and resembles large, soft, gel-like curds.

Drain the mixture in a sieve lined with four layers of muslin placed over a bowl. This is a gentle way of separating the thick curds from the watery whey, and results in mascarpone of spoonable consistency. The longer it drains, the thicker the mascarpone will be, but overnight is usually sufficient. By making mascarpone yourself, you can control the texture of the finished product: a lighter version is nice for a tiramisù or a fruit tart filling, while a richer, creamier style is perfect for stirring through a wild mushroom risotto.

As there are no preservatives involved, homemade mascarpone is highly perishable and will turn sour after only a few days, so start your cheese-making three days before you need the mascarpone, and serve it within two days. Not that this is likely to be a problem - it'll be almost impossible to resist the urge to eat it straight away.

Ingredients

  • 600 ml heavy cream (45% fat)
  • 1½ tbsp lemon juice

Method

Main

Notes

Note You'll need to begin this recipe 2 days ahead; it makes 2 cups.

The Latest from Gourmet Traveller

  • Recipe CollectionsOur most popular recipes for autumn

    Today 3:00am

  • Travel NewsSeven crossbody bags that make slick travel companions

    Mar 03, 2024

  • EntertainingSix quality steak knives that even vegetarians will find use for

    Feb 27, 2024

  • Entertaining5 wine fridges to store your vinos for entertaining and longevity

    Feb 27, 2024

  • Recipe Collections5 simple co*cktails for every occasion

    Feb 27, 2024

  • Destinations5 luxe Geelong Airbnbs to book for your Great Ocean Road getaway

    Feb 27, 2024

  • DestinationsFive best Airbnb Launceston stays for a northern Tasmanian trip

    Feb 23, 2024

  • Chefs' RecipesKafeneion's Greek fillo orange cake with orange syrup (portokalopita)

    Feb 23, 2024

  • Entertaining5 small but mighty wine fridges for the budding collector

    Feb 22, 2024

  • Restaurant Reviews

    Feb 22, 2024

  • Restaurant ReviewsThe best restaurants in Melbourne right now

    Feb 22, 2024

  • Fast RecipesGreek lamb meatballs with orzo, tomato-garlic sauce and fried oregano

    Feb 22, 2024

  • Travel NewsTurkish Airlines announces direct flights between Melbourne and Istanbul from March 2024

    Feb 22, 2024

  • Browse All RecipesWhat does it take to make the best hot cross buns?

    Feb 21, 2024

  • Recipe CollectionsBest prawn pasta recipes

    Feb 21, 2024

  • Browse All RecipesPrawns with basil verde and seared scallops seafood platter

    Feb 21, 2024

  • Restaurant NewsThe best new restaurants and bars in Sydney

    Feb 20, 2024

  • Recipe CollectionsBest fig recipes to celebrate the season

    Feb 20, 2024

  • Restaurant ReviewsThe Waratah: Restaurant review

    Feb 20, 2024

Mascarpone recipe | Gourmet Traveller recipe (2024)

FAQs

What if I don't have enough mascarpone for tiramisù? ›

However you could try beating together 225g (8 ounces) full fat cream cheese with 60ml (4 tablespoons/1/4 cup) double or whipping cream and 30g (1 ounce/2 tablespoons) softened unsalted butter until just blended. This will give the equivalent of around 300g (10 ounces/1 1/4 cups) mascarpone.

Is there a big difference between mascarpone and cream cheese? ›

Cream cheese contains at least 33% milk fat, and mascarpone may contain 60-75% milk fat. Mascarpone has a buttery flavor that makes it particularly suitable for desserts. It adds richness and a creamy texture, while cream cheese brings a creamy consistency and slightly tangy taste to dishes.

How long does mascarpone last after opening? ›

A closed package of mascarpone will last in the fridge until its best-by date. If you've already opened it, the clock starts ticking, and you have around 1 week to use it all up.

What's the difference between mascarpone and ricotta? ›

The unique processes result in two very different products—mascarpone is a rich, decadent, and super spreadable cheese with a slight tang. Ricotta, on the other hand, has a lumpy, soft texture and mild, milky flavor.

What can you use in place of mascarpone? ›

Crème Fraîche and sour cream bring unique tastes and handle heat like pros. Then there's ricotta, Mascarpone's flavor buddy, perfect for cheesecakes and spreads. Cream cheese, Greek yogurt, and cottage cheese are also the go-to for rich textures.

Can I use ricotta instead of mascarpone in tiramisu? ›

Mascarpone lends a subtle tang and creaminess to tiramisu, but I by far prefer the smooth and subtle flavor that ricotta gives it. This is a tiny change, but it makes all the difference in the world. It's what makes this ricotta tiramisu just a bit special.

Can you use Philadelphia cream cheese instead of mascarpone? ›

Is Philadelphia cream cheese mascarpone? No marscapone and cream cheese are completely different. There are cases where one may be substituted for the other but as a general rule you should use the ingredient the recipe calls for; otherwise you will end up with a similar but still completely different result.

Does mascarpone taste like heavy cream? ›

The taste of mascarpone is similar to that of cream cheese, ricotta cheese, creme fraiche, or clotted cream, but with a little more sweetness and acidity. This makes it a versatile cheese for both sweet and savory dishes.

Is Philadelphia or mascarpone better for cheesecake? ›

Mascarpone and Cream cheese can be interchangeable in some recipes, including cheesecake. If you want a tangy flavored cheesecake, you should use Cream cheese, but if that flavor isn't necessary, either cheese can be used.

How to tell if mascarpone is spoiled? ›

Check the "use by" date on the package for storage time, but it's generally a week. Mascarpone tends to go bad quickly, so use an open container within a few days; return any unused portion to the fridge with the lid tightly sealed. If it develops mold or if its aroma or color is off, discard the entire package.

Can you freeze a tub of mascarpone cheese? ›

Yup, mascarpone freezes OK, just be sure to whip it thoroughly after you defrost it and it should be fine.

What happens if you over whip mascarpone? ›

If you accidentally over-whip the mascarpone and it turns grainy, you can rescue it by folding in a splash of cream until it smooths out again. You can use it right away or cover and refrigerate it for up to 2 days or so.

What can mascarpone be used for? ›

Best mascarpone recipes
  • Salted caramel mascarpone cheesecake pots.
  • Cannoli.
  • Vanilla and raspberry mascarpone loaf cake.
  • Tomato, spinach and mascarpone gnocchi.
  • Pesto greens and three-cheese lasagne.
  • Spinach, mascarpone and ham hock rotolo.
  • Classic tiramisu.
  • Butternut squash, spinach and mascarpone lasagne.

Is ricotta or mascarpone better for lasagna? ›

Mascarpone cheese: Adds extra creaminess (it's my secret for the best cheese lasagna). If you need to, you can substitute more ricotta cheese or make your own mascarpone by beating 8 ounces of cream cheese with 1/4 cup of heavy cream until smooth and creamy. Parmesan cheese: Provides a salty, savory flavor.

Is cannoli filling ricotta or mascarpone? ›

A cannoli is typically filled with a sweet filling that's made out of ricotta — according to tradition, at least. However, some people choose to use mascarpone instead because it's thicker, higher in fat and easier to control.

Can you free mascarpone? ›

Mascarpone can be frozen for up to four months, depending on the quality of the cheese. Freezing it properly ensure it remains fresh and delicious.

What can go wrong when making tiramisu? ›

12 Mistakes You're Making With Tiramisu
  • Using the wrong kind of biscuits. ...
  • Over-whipping the mascarpone. ...
  • Forgetting to bring your eggs up to temperature. ...
  • Waiting too long to mix the sugar and the eggs. ...
  • Not correctly whipping your heavy cream. ...
  • Using instant coffee instead of something stronger.
Nov 15, 2022

Can I substitute mascarpone for cream cheese in cookies? ›

Try mascarpone, which some people describe as "Italian cream cheese." Although that's not completely accurate, they do perform similarly in recipes. Mascarpone is richer and creamier than cream cheese, but works well in recipes like cake frosting.

How do I substitute mascarpone for heavy cream? ›

Mascarpone is one of the best substitutes for heavy cream because it's so easy to use — you just have to use it in a 1:1 ratio. Simple! Now you just have to think about the consistency you want as your end goal because mascarpone can be quite stiff and thick.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Tuan Roob DDS

Last Updated:

Views: 5494

Rating: 4.1 / 5 (62 voted)

Reviews: 93% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Tuan Roob DDS

Birthday: 1999-11-20

Address: Suite 592 642 Pfannerstill Island, South Keila, LA 74970-3076

Phone: +9617721773649

Job: Marketing Producer

Hobby: Skydiving, Flag Football, Knitting, Running, Lego building, Hunting, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Tuan Roob DDS, I am a friendly, good, energetic, faithful, fantastic, gentle, enchanting person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.