How To Make Almond Milk Cream Cheese

You can make almond milk cream cheese at home with just a few simple ingredients and no dairy at all.
 
It’s creamy, tangy, and spreadable, which makes it a perfect swap for traditional cream cheese in bagels, dips, and frostings.
 
The best part is that homemade almond milk cream cheese is surprisingly easy to whip up once you know the right steps.
 
In this post, we’ll walk through how to make almond milk cream cheese, the ingredients you’ll need, and tips to get the texture just right.
 
Let’s get started so you can enjoy a fresh batch of almond milk cream cheese anytime.
 

How to Make Almond Milk Cream Cheese

Learning how to make almond milk cream cheese comes down to a few key steps, and here’s how it works:
 

1. Gather Your Ingredients

To make almond milk cream cheese, you’ll need unsweetened almond milk, raw cashews, lemon juice, coconut oil, and a pinch of salt.
 
The cashews give the almond milk cream cheese its thick, creamy body, while the lemon juice provides that classic tang.
 
Coconut oil helps the mixture set firm in the fridge so your almond milk cream cheese spreads like the real thing.
 
Make sure your almond milk is unsweetened and unflavored, because sweetened versions will throw off the taste of your cream cheese.
 

2. Soak the Cashews

Soaking the cashews is one of the most important steps when making almond milk cream cheese.
 
Pour boiling water over the cashews and let them sit for at least 30 minutes, or soak them in cool water overnight.
 
This softens the nuts so they blend into a silky smooth almond milk cream cheese without any gritty bits.
 
If you skip this step, your cream cheese may turn out lumpy, and nobody wants that.
 

3. Blend Everything Smooth

Drain the cashews and add them to a high-speed blender along with the almond milk, lemon juice, melted coconut oil, and salt.
 
Blend on high until the mixture becomes completely smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed.
 
This is where your almond milk cream cheese really takes shape, so be patient and keep blending until there are no visible chunks.
 

4. Chill Until Firm

Pour the blended mixture into a clean jar or container and smooth out the top.
 
Cover it and place it in the fridge for at least 4 hours, though overnight is even better.
 
As it chills, the coconut oil solidifies and the almond milk cream cheese thickens into a spreadable texture.
 
Once it’s firm, your almond milk cream cheese is ready to enjoy.
 

Tips for the Best Almond Milk Cream Cheese

Here are a few tricks to make sure your almond milk cream cheese turns out perfect every time:
 

1. Use a High-Speed Blender

A powerful blender is your best friend when making almond milk cream cheese.
 
It breaks down the cashews completely, giving you that ultra-smooth texture you want in a good cream cheese.
 
If your blender isn’t very strong, blend in small batches and give it extra time.
 

2. Adjust the Tanginess

The amount of lemon juice you use directly affects how tangy your almond milk cream cheese tastes.
 
Start with one tablespoon and taste the mixture before blending further.
 
You can always add more lemon juice for extra zing, but it’s harder to fix an overly sour batch.
 

3. Don’t Skip the Coconut Oil

Coconut oil is what helps almond milk cream cheese hold its shape in the fridge.
 
Without it, the mixture stays soft and runny, more like a sauce than a spread.
 
Refined coconut oil works well if you don’t want any coconut flavor in your almond milk cream cheese.
 

How to Use Your Almond Milk Cream Cheese

Once you’ve mastered how to make almond milk cream cheese, the possibilities are endless:
 

1. Spread It on Bagels and Toast

This is the classic use, and your homemade almond milk cream cheese shines here.
 
Slather it on a warm bagel or a slice of toasted sourdough for a dairy-free breakfast you’ll love.
 
Add sliced tomatoes, capers, or everything bagel seasoning to take it up a notch.
 

2. Use It in Dips and Frostings

Almond milk cream cheese works beautifully in dips, spreads, and even dairy-free frostings.
 
Swap it in wherever a recipe calls for cream cheese, and you’ll barely notice the difference.
 
Just keep in mind that homemade almond milk cream cheese is softer than store-bought, so adjust your recipe slightly if needed.
 

3. Store It Properly

Keep your almond milk cream cheese in an airtight container in the fridge, where it stays fresh for about a week.
 
If you want to keep it longer, freeze it in small portions and thaw it in the fridge overnight before using.
 
Proper storage keeps your almond milk cream cheese tasting fresh and creamy every time.
 

So, How Do You Make Almond Milk Cream Cheese?

You make almond milk cream cheese by blending soaked cashews, unsweetened almond milk, lemon juice, coconut oil, and salt until smooth, then chilling the mixture until firm.
 
The cashews provide the creamy base, the lemon juice adds tang, and the coconut oil helps it set.
 
With a little patience and the right technique, homemade almond milk cream cheese is simple, delicious, and far better than anything you’ll find at the store.
 
Now that you know how to make almond milk cream cheese, give this recipe a try and enjoy every creamy bite.