Soft cheese in a cheesecake

[Bakinhappy]

Just made a cheesecake for Easter. First time making one. Looked back on the recipe after and it says 'cream cheese'. I used Aldi 'soft cheese' - is this going to make a big difference and ruin the cheesecake?

I really can't wait for my mini eggs cheesecake on Sunday. This thread is not helping!

That was my intention too but I left it too late to get the mini eggs so it has crispy m&ms mixed through it instead and easter decorations on top.

Thanks for all the advice everyone.

I was more concerned about the taste than texture so even if wet or sloppy 😯 I think DH and DC will still eat it 🤞

I bought a supermarket cheesecake box mix with the idea of making a simple no-bake midweek dessert.
With the 500g of Philadelphia (on offer so cheaper than own brand) and the strawberries I bought for the topping, it worked out at about 10€!!!! for a not great cake.

My own baked cheesecake recipe is much much nicer. I use 250g mascarpone or crème fraiche and 250g Philadelphia. Baked (Bain Marie) and topped with tinned peaches in juice.

Shop own is fine but always use full fat. I use the cheapest shop brand (never accidentally buy the garlic one )

Rename it if all else fails. Easter mud pie or something.

We tried it this evening.

Me and DS are a bit unsure about it but DH loved it - so DH can eat the rest himself over the next few days 🤣 at least it wont be going in the bin.

The structure and texture seemed fine but the white chocolate for me was not good.

Next time I'll try a strawberry one with FULL FAT cream cheese 😁

If you want to use non branded cheese, ricotta or mascarpone are all I use for cheesecake!

glad to hear it was appreciated!

You can buy real proper cream cheese in M&S. They do their own but slightly nicer also in there is Payson Breton I think it’s called. Thank me later 😉

It’s the real stuff 😉

It's to do with the fat content of the cream/soft cheese. Think 'block' Philadelphia is 30% fat; whereas the spreads are closer to 20% and hence 'wetter'. This difference is particularly important if you're using an American recipe as they tend to have 'proper' cream cheese available far more easily than we do in the U.K.

I think Tesco and ASDA own brand full-fat soft cheese have the most fat content (24%) if I remember correctly/ been a while since I checked; which I think is slightly more than real Philadelphia here.

Think all cheesecakes defo need full fat cheese as a bare minimum.

27% not 24. Not sure how much each % fat makes thought.

This one is the one I managed to get delivered to me. It’s 30% fat and absolutely amazing.

https://longleyfarm.com/collections/cream-cheese

Philadelphia has guar gum in it, most of the shops own brands are just cream cheese, with nothing added. I never buy philadelphia, it has a horrible gooey non cheese consistency.

@bellac11 is correct, I've just checked. Philadelphia has salt, locust bean gum & citric acid. I looked at Waitrose & Sainsburys & they just have milk as an ingredient.

I've just bought a block of twarog cream cheese from the Eastern European section in Sainsbo. It's the real deal for cheesecake.
I've now got to find the recipe that I haven't used for years because it doesn't work with the wet stuff.

I got a brand called Creamfields in Tesco. Mixed it with whipping cream, icing sugar and vanilla extract, it worked a treat. Made Tiramisu though, not cheesecake and because I left the dessert in the fridge overnight, it had "set" beautifully too, so would work great for cheesecake also.

Ingredients - full fat soft cheese and citrus fibre (whatever that is) and that's all.

I tend to use the full fat emporium one but I've used the low fat one too. Can't tell a difference tbh so glad it's worked out!

I use Mascaponi.

I made a strawberry cheesecake this weekend with the aldi full fat soft cheese and was much sturdier than the one with the low fat cheese.

Will now be looking for a different flavour to do each weekend 🤣

Philadelphia used to be the best, but it's now the worst, I use own brand soft cheese these days asda or m&s, just make sure you choose the full fat and also no garlic!