Convert Cream Cheese measurements

Plain yoghurt is much lighter and tangier than cream cheese (258 g vs 230 g per cup). Use it as a 1:1 swap in cheesecakes or frostings only when you want a looser, more pourable result; for piping or thick spreads, cream cheese holds its shape better. See our Plain Yoghurt converter.

Parmesan is a hard aged cheese that weighs just 100 g per metric cup when grated, far less than cream cheese at 230 g. It adds a sharp, salty bite rather than creaminess, so the two serve different purposes in baking and cooking. See our Parmesan Cheese converter.

Sour cream is thinner and tangier than cream cheese, with similar fat content but live cultures that give a sharper bite. They are close in weight (250 g vs 230 g per cup), so swap 1:1 in cake batters or dips; for piped frostings, cream cheese holds its shape better. See our Sour Cream converter.

Crème fraîche has the same weight per cup as cream cheese (230 g each) but a thinner, more pourable texture and a tangier flavour. Swap 1:1 in cold dips and toppings; for cooked sauces, crème fraîche is the safer choice as cream cheese can turn grainy under heat. See our Crème Fraîche converter.

Mascarpone is richer and smoother than cream cheese, with around 40% fat to cream cheese's 33%. They are close in weight (240 g vs 230 g per cup), so swap 1:1 in tiramisu, frostings, and cheesecakes; expect a softer set and a milder, sweeter flavour with mascarpone. See our Mascarpone converter.

Ricotta is grainier and lower in fat than cream cheese (258 g vs 230 g per cup). Swap 1:1 by volume in baked fillings; ricotta carries visible curds, so smooth no-bake fillings need straining or blending first. See our Ricotta converter.

Cottage cheese is loose and curdy where cream cheese is dense and smooth (234 g vs 230 g per cup). Blending cottage cheese until smooth lets it stand in for cream cheese in dips and cheesecake batters, with a lighter, less tangy result. See our Cottage Cheese converter.

Goat's cheese is lighter and tangier than cream cheese (150 g vs 230 g per cup). It works as a swap in tarts, salads, and savoury spreads when a stronger tang is welcome, but cream cheese is the better choice for frostings and cheesecakes. See our Goat's Cheese converter.