Mascarpone Vs. Cream Cheese
While mascarpone and cream cheese are both creamy, mild, cow's milk cheeses, there there are some differences that set them apart:
Mascarpone - a soft Italian cheese made of cream and citric acid. The result is a rich, buttery cheese with a high milkfat content and less moisture. The flavor of mascarpone is mild and slightly sweet. It lends itself well to both sweet and savory recipes.
Cream cheese - an American cheese product made with cream, milk, salt, cultures and stabilizers. Cream cheese has a lower fat content, and therefore is less rich than mascarpone. The flavor of cream cheese is brighter and tangier. Great on a bagel and a great choice for cheesecakes.
Overall, the two cheeses are fairly similar can be used interchangeably with some minor texture and flavor variations. Using mascarpone has become my favorite way to make fruit dip as I just love the richness it gives the dip!
Ingredients for Easy Mascarpone Fruit Dip
- Mascarpone cheese - the star of the show!
- Heavy cream - the addition of heavy cream helps the dip whip up nice and fluffy
- Maple syrup - the REAL stuff! The flavor gives the dip the perfect amount of sweetness. Real maple syrups can differ in flavors so this can be fun to play around with. We are lucky enough to get some local syrup from a friend every year and it is so good!
- Vanilla extract - vanilla is one of those flavors that just adds some extra oomph (technical term) to a sweet dish. It plays nicely into the maple flavor as well as the creaminess of the dip.
How To Make It
- Place mascarpone and heavy cream in a mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat until light and fluffy. This shouldn't take too long. Be careful not to overbeat as the mascarpone could separate.
- Add maple syrup and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
- That's it! Serve right away or keep in an airtight container in the fridge.
Dipper Ideas
Use this Easy Mascarpone Fruit Dip as you would any fruit dip by pairing with a variety of fresh fruit and berries. This can vary depending on what's in season, but some of my favorites include:
- Grapes
- Berries - strawberries, blueberries & raspberries
- Melons - watermelon, cantaloupe & muskmelon
- Apple slices
- Mandarin orange segments
Or try mixing in some non-fruit dippers like:
- Graham crackers
- Vanilla wafers
- Pretzels
Frequently Asked Questions
Mascarpone is sold in tubs and has become more of a staple in grocery stores. If your grocery store has a specialty cheese area near the deli, it's likely found there. If you can't find it there, I'd check by the cream cheeses.
At room temperature, the fruit dip can be kept out for a maximum of 2 hours. Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, you can store the dip for up to 5 days.
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Easy Mascarpone Fruit Dip
Ingredients
- 8 oz. mascarpone cheese
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- ¼ cup real maple syrup
- ½ tsp. vanilla extract
Instructions
- Place mascarpone and heavy cream in a mixing bowl. Using a hand mixer, beat until light and fluffy.
- Add maple syrup and vanilla. Mix until well combined.
- Serve with fresh berries and fruit. Refrigerate leftovers.
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