Description
A creamy, dairy-free Veggie Cream Cheese spread packed with fresh vegetables and wholesome ingredients. Perfect for bagels, dips, or sandwiches, this nutritious and versatile spread is easy to make and customizable to your taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews (soaked for at least 2 hours or overnight)
- 1 medium carrot, washed and roughly chopped
- 1/2 red bell pepper, washed and roughly chopped
- 1 garlic clove
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons nutritional yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/4 to 1/2 cup water or plant-based milk (to adjust consistency)
Optional Variations
- Fresh dill, chives, or parsley (for herb infusion)
- 1/4 cup cooked beets (for beetroot boost)
- Pinch of smoked paprika or cayenne (for spicy kick)
- 2 tablespoons chopped sun-dried tomatoes
- Steamed and blended cauliflower (as nut-free substitute for cashews)
Instructions
- Soak the Cashews: Start by soaking raw cashews in warm water for at least 2 hours or overnight. This softens them and ensures your spread will be perfectly creamy and silky smooth.
- Prepare the Vegetables: Wash and roughly chop the carrots and red bell pepper to make blending easier, contributing to the fresh veggie taste and bright color.
- Blend the Ingredients: Add soaked cashews, chopped vegetables, garlic, lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, nutritional yeast, sea salt, and a splash of water or plant-based milk to a high-speed blender. Pulse until smooth and creamy, scraping down the sides as needed for even consistency.
- Adjust Texture and Flavor: Taste the spread and adjust by adding more lemon juice for tang, salt for seasoning, or water/milk to thin the mixture if too thick. Blend briefly again to combine.
- Chill and Serve: Transfer the Veggie Cream Cheese to a container and chill for at least an hour to let flavors meld and texture firm up. Once chilled, it’s ready to spread or dip.
Notes
- Use raw cashews to achieve the best creamy texture without bitterness.
- Don’t skip soaking the cashews to avoid grainy texture.
- Add liquid gradually to prevent a too-runny spread.
- Use fresh, crisp veggies for best flavor and nutrition.
- Chilling enhances flavor melding and thickens texture.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons (about 30g)
- Calories: 70
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 6g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: vegan cream cheese, dairy-free spread, veggie cream cheese, plant-based cheese, creamy dip