This really does taste like cream cheese!  The texture is unbelievably perfect:  soft, rich, and 100% creamy.  Though it has been a while since I have had traditional dairy cream cheese, I would venture to say that the taste of Tofutti is close to identical.  If anything, it may be a touch less sharp than cream cheese made from cow’s milk.

As an initial test, I prepared carrot cupcakes with “cream cheese” frosting made of Tofutti, Earth Balance Buttery Sticks, powdered sugar, and real vanilla.  I took them to a small dinner party of dairy consumers.  Everyone loved them, and not a single person could tell the difference. 

Today I trialed it as a bagel spread, topped with capers and wild smoked salmon.  I was more than pleased.  The Americanized bagel and lox combo is back on my lunchtime menu.   

The next test will be cheesecake.  I have heard rave reviews from many people on Tofutti based cheesecakes, so I am presumptuously anticipating success.  Luckily, I have the cookbook, Amazing Dairy-Free Desserts on hand.  The author explains how to best use Tofutti (apparently there is a trick or two) and offers six different “cheezecake” recipes.  Dairy-free Toffee Pecan Cheesecake anyone? 

When you purchase Tofutti, be sure to pick up the Better Than Cream Cheese in the yellow tub.  This one is free of hydrogenated oils.  I have heard rumor that Tofutti is phasing out their cream cheeses with partially hydrogenated oils, but I still see them on every grocer’s shelf in my local area.

• Pros:  Vegan; Kosher certified; Gluten-free; Widely available; Excellent taste and texture; Versatile
• Cons:  It does contain some thickeners which are corn-derived, such as maltodextrin

Recommended for:

• A Straight-Up Cream Cheese Substitute
• Spreading on Bagels
• Dairy-Free Cheesecakes and Cream Cheese Frosting

Where to Buy:

• Online – If you just can’t find this stuff in stores, it is available to order from Amazon
• In Store – Tofutti is a regular in natural food grocers, and lately, it has debuted in some of the new “natural food” aisles at other local grocery stores
  

Comments (12)

	1. 10-08-2007 18:14
	Haven't seen it here... Hi There!    I agree, its a very good product. However I found the blue lable -- no yellow lable in the Philadelphia area that I've found. but there has to be! This is the home of Philly brand cream cheese! ...and we have lots of vegans in the area.    I didn't realize about the hydrogenated oils until after I purchased it. I haven't bought it since. Not worth it. Hey, let me know how the cheezecake comes out. I also bought the same book. Great stuff.    I'm dissapointed is Tofutti -- I found a few other of their products contain hydrogented oils. Super bummer!

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	2. 14-11-2007 20:37
	re:Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese – No I just purchased this product the other day from a specialty store and I was very impressed. You can tell by the smell that it is not \"real\" cream cheese. I found it smells like vanilla yogurt.     But, besides the that, I must say I toasted a bagel and gave half to my boyfriend and we could hardly tell the difference. It looks like cream cheese and in my opinion it spreads better also. Great buy!

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	3. 13-01-2008 13:55
	re:Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese – No yea...eye cant believe how many of there products have hydrogenated oil and asparatame! thats crazy!! eye realized they're not a healthy brand....just non-dairy! :

reign

	4. 30-01-2008 11:05
	re:Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese – No We treat bed wetting children, and we have had a hard time keeping them totally milk free until they become dry.    We want to tell you how we appreciate your products.    Thank you,    Joy Woods  President of the Non-Profit Foundation http://same

Hargitt House Enuresis Foundat

	5. 05-02-2008 08:53
	re:Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese – No oebgexyx iijzawfx http://tgwzmfxo.com uegvkmww gqjrgheo larkuyms http://winswcxq.com

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	6. 01-03-2008 20:01
	re:Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese – No I was expecting this product to be alot better than it was. In my opinion, it did not taste like "real" creamcheese at all. I almost gagged when I took a bite and it left me with a weird sour aftertaste

Jennifer

	7. 30-03-2008 16:53
	re:Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese – No I really like this product. It is a great alternative...now...help me find a melty chesse as good as this  jacquie

jacquie

	8. 10-06-2008 21:55
	re:Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese – No Excellent product... I'm allergic to cream so the real thing wasn't an option for me... finding this product is a heaven sent... thank you. Vicky

Vicky Newton

	9. 10-08-2008 10:31
	re:Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese – No I'm not crazy about it alone, but even the addition of a speck of say, chipotle powder, berbere powder, garlic etc and it goes from um? to WOW! I literally have to stop myself from devouring it once I doctor it a bit.     Seriously, who expects a facsimile to taste just like the original? I don't, and it's asking alot for any product to replicate molecule for molecule something that shares nothing with what gave the original it's claim to fame which in this case would be, soured dairy milk.     Taking into consideration what Tofutti is, and what it isn't, BTCC should be viewed as a quite good product that evokes enough of the real McCoy that it should satisfy all but the hardcore who probably just need to keep eating the real thing.

meleon

	10. 09-12-2008 05:07
	re:Tofutti Better Than Cream Cheese – No I was highly skeptical. I purchased the chive and onion flavored "cream cheese" and found that it tastes just like cream cheese (and I am a BRAND SPANKING NEW vegan). At most, it tastes a bit more like the low-fat variety cream cheese than the full fat. I haven't tried the plain version yet but I am impressed so far. http://http;//thecitychicken.wordpress.com

Bobbie