The ingredients for this recipe are broken down by crust, filling, and toppings. Pour popped corn into a large serving bowl. Then, heat the cream cheese on high heat for 10 seconds. 1 teaspoon pepper 2 teaspoons ground cumin 2 teaspoons dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper 1 teaspoon chili powder 1/2 cup fresh cilantro chopped 8 ounces low fat cream cheese cubed 1 cup heavy cream optional toppings Tortilla chips or strips, jalapeos, cilantro, shredded cheese, sour cream, avocado, or whatever you'd like! Remove from the heat. Add the cream cheese and cook until melted stirring often. In order to melt cream cheese in sauce, you will need to heat up the sauce on the stove until it is hot. Once the cream cheese has melted into the milk, mix in the shredded cheddar. Just keep an eye on it, so it doesnt scorch, and dont let it come to a boil. Stir until fully melted, and then add more and stir until all cheese has been added and melted together. Stir the cream cheese occasionally until it is completely melted and smooth. Pour a few inches of water into the pot. Cover and cook for 2-3 hours on low heat, stirring occasionally, until the cheese has melted and the dip is smooth. Whipped cream is ideal to add to cream cheese if you are going to be using it for a sweet dish. The microwave method is the most common way to melt cream cheese. This will just take you a minute or two at most to melt. Cream cheese is one of my favorite ingredients to use in recipes. This article was co-authored by wikiHow Staff. First, when you soften cream cheese, it is much easier to spread than cream cheese straight from the fridge. It is impossible to thicken cream cheese after it has been melted. How do I know when cream cheese is melted? Here are a few of the most popular methods for melting cream cheese, so that you can choose the one that best suits your needs. There are a few ways you can soften up and melt cream cheese. Often, you can remove the pan from the burner; the residual heat will melt the cheese. Heat up the large nonstick skillet over medium heat, melt the butter, add in the garlic and red pepper flakes, and saute until aromatic (about 2 minutes). I started this website, honestly, because someone told me I couldnt. Once the milk reaches 110F, place the cream cheese into the bowl. Second, add the desired amount of softened butter or margarine, and mix well. You could leave the cream cheese out to soften over time, but usually, we dont have hours to wait, and the cheese might not become soft enough to use. Stir in milk and garlic. There is also a risk that the cream cheese could bubble and splatter all over the inside of your microwave. The next step is to add the onion, parsley, black pepper, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, seasoned salt, crab meat, and cheddar cheese to the cream cheese, and combine everything together. This article has been viewed 143,644 times. If youve ever tried to melt cream cheese, you know that it can be a bit tricky. Take a medium-sized bowl and pour some lukewarm water into it. What Does Keep Refrigerated Really Mean? However, if you do end up taking the speedier route, make sure to check on the cream cheese every 10 seconds or so to avoid overheating or burning it. Sonic Shark Week Slush: What It Is + Review. While the cream cheese is in the original packaging, it should not be microwaved. Melted butter is a good choice to thin out cream cheese, as the two mix easily if done properly. Cream cheese will melt at around 120 to 170 F (49 to 77 C). Place the block of cream cheese into a heat-proof bowl. You can use an electric mixer to effectively make your cream cheese smooth and lump-free. Use around 1 tablespoon of butter for an 8 oz pack of cream cheese. If done right and carefully monitored, cream cheese will melt down enough to be ideal for cooking and baking. It gently melts the cream cheese, with the milk further softening it and creating a smoother texture once it has melted. You can just add in 1 tablespoon of mascarpone at a time, stirring well, until your desired consistency and taste is reached. However, it may not melt as easily or completely as other types of cheese. I recommend using a bowl if you are melting cream cheese. Drain and set aside. Place the bowl of cheese in the microwave and set it on medium for a couple of minutes. 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. Cut the cream cheese into small pieces to melt more evenly. Add the shredded sharp cheddar in batches until it's melted, stirring constantly. 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! First, place the cream cheese in a large bowl. Instructions. When it reaches 90 degrees Fahrenheit or 32 degrees Celsius, it softens. Just be careful not to overcook it, or youll end up with a rubbery mess. Sprinkle grated cheese over top of popcorn, drizzle melted butter on top, and toss to coat well. The higher the milkfat and moisture, the more likely the cheese is to liquefy and flow nicely. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer. This site is owned and operated by Elli & Tee Inc. Foodsguy.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. http://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/how-to-melt-cheese-recipe-article, http://dish.allrecipes.com/cheese-sauce-made-easy/, http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/30/melting-cheese-how-to_n_5231844.html, http://www.thenibble.com/reviews/main/cheese/cheese2/whey/2006-03.asp, https://dairygood.org/content/2016/how-long-can-cheese-sit-out, http://www.seriouseats.com/2015/10/the-food-lab-fifteen-minute-stovetop-macaroni-and-cheese-recipe-food-lab-book-excerpt.html, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uQyqK-A8p4. For comparison, cheddar cheese has a pH of about around 5 to 5.5. Use as much cream cheese as possible if you want to use all of it. Check the consistency of the cream cheese, and have a taste, to determine if more lemon juice is needed. In a small saucepan, heat cream cheese and milk over medium heat, stirring frequently, until cream cheese is melted and mixture is smooth. 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. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. It will not come to a boil if you do not let it boil, and if you do, it will not scorch. Add flour and whisk. If you leave cream cheese on the counter overnight, the soften cream cheese will take an hour to soften. Melt the butter with the milk and then All the ingredients into a saucepan set on LOW to Medium Low on the stovetop. How do I make the best cream cheese for cheesecake? 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. The cream cheese will eventually get to a point where you cant flip it over, as it will be too soft. If you notice areas that have not been melted after stirring, return to the microwave for 10 seconds at a time, stirring in between . Make sure you remove the cream cheese from its packaging and place it into a microwave-safe bowl prior to heating it up. wikiHow's Content Management Team carefully monitors the work from our editorial staff to ensure that each article is backed by trusted research and meets our high quality standards. It tastes quite similar to cream cheese but is thinner, so you can use it to thin out cream cheese without changing the taste too much. You should choose from harder cheeses because of their lower melting point. This will help to break up any remaining lumps and give you a smooth, lump-free melted cream cheese. How do I avoid burning cream cheese when melting it? More recipes? Lactic acid bacteria are used to dissolve the cream, lowering the pH of the cream and making it coagulate. I'm a food photographer and recipe developer with a passion for creating healthier alternatives to all time favorite recipes. Cream 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. If you want to get your cream cheese melted or softened as quickly as possible, your best choice might be to use your microwave. 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. Use low heat when melting the cheese no matter what method you are using. But when it comes to cheesemaking, milk's most crucial component is casein: a type of protein that clumps together in families called micelles. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Melt-Cheese-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Melt-Cheese-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/2\/2c\/Melt-Cheese-Step-1.jpg\/aid9146450-v4-728px-Melt-Cheese-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":306,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":485,"licensing":"