How to Soften Cream Cheese
Learn three popular ways to soften cream cheese quickly and easily.
Servings: 6 servings
Calories: 129.27kcal
Ingredients
- 8 oz cream cheese regular or light*
Instructions
Microwave Method
- Unwrap the cream cheese and put it on a microwave-safe plate.
- Place in the microwave. Then microwave on full power for 15 seconds.
- Check the cream cheese. If it’s not soft enough, microwave for 5 seconds more. Repeat until fully softened.**
Hot Water Bath Method
- If the cream cheese is sealed in foil, use it as is. Otherwise, wrap the cream cheese tightly in plastic wrap to seal.
- Fill a medium bowl with hot tap water.
- Submerge the cream cheese in the water, using a paper weight or mallet to hold it down.
- Let it sit submerged for 5-10 minutes until soft.
Countertop Method
- Unwrap the cream cheese and cut into long strips about ½-inch (12 mm) wide.
- Arrange the strips on a plate with space in between.
- Let rest for 15-20 minutes until soft.
Video
Notes
- * Light or low-fat cream cheese may not soften as smoothly due to its reduced fat content. If needed, whip it with a whisk to make it completely smooth after softening.
- ** It may take longer depending on the strength of your microwave oven.
- It’s normal to have some liquid to seep out of the cream cheese during softening. Add the liquid to the recipe along with the softened cream cheese.
- Softened cream cheese should give in to light pressure from the back of a spoon and have a spreadable consistency. Otherwise it’s still too firm.
- How to defrost cream cheese? If your cream cheese is frozen, let it sit in the refrigerator to thaw overnight or longer before softening.
Nutrition
Serving: 1.5oz | Calories: 129.27kcal | Carbohydrates: 1.54g | Protein: 2.24g | Fat: 12.94g | Saturated Fat: 7.29g | Cholesterol: 41.58mg | Sodium: 121.34mg | Potassium: 52.16mg | Sugar: 1.21g | Vitamin A: 507.64IU | Calcium: 37.04mg | Iron: 0.14mg | Net Carbs: 2g