What Is Cream cheese (reduced-fat) and How Can I Use It?

If cream cheese (reduced-fat) has turned up in a recipe or caught your eye at the store, here's what you need to use it with confidence and how to choose it, cook it, store it, what to substitute, and 121 recipes to try it in.

Key Points

Neufchâtel or "light" cream cheese with about a third less milk fat than the full-fat block.
Swaps one-to-one in dips and spreads; the difference nearly disappears once seasonings go in.
Holds more water, so cheesecake bakes wetter and cracks more; bake it low and slow.
Whips lighter for frosting and slackens if overbeaten, so beat it cold just until smooth.

What is cream cheese (reduced-fat)?

Reduced-fat cream cheese, sold as Neufchâtel or "light" in a foil block, cuts the milk fat of full-fat cream cheese by about a third while keeping the same tangy, spreadable character.

It is built for the same jobs: bagels, dips, frostings, and cheesecake.

The thing to know is that fat is what carries richness and body, so the lighter block tastes a little leaner and feels slightly softer, which is why gums and stabilizers are usually added back to firm it up.

Cooking with it

Use it one-to-one for the full-fat block in most recipes. In a dip or a spread the swap is nearly invisible once herbs, garlic, or smoked fish go in, as in this Hot Mushroom Dip.

Baking is where the extra moisture shows. Reduced-fat cream cheese holds more water, so a cheesecake can bake up a touch wetter and crack more easily, which means you should bake it low and slow and pull it while the center still jiggles.

Frosting wants a gentle hand here.

It whips lighter and can slacken if you overbeat it, so beat it cold and just until smooth. That tang anchors a classic Carrot Cake (low-fat).

Substitutes and storage

If you only have the full-fat block, use it straight; you gain richness and lose nothing structurally. Going the other way, plain Greek yogurt or blended low-fat cottage cheese cover cold dip uses with even less fat, though both read tangier and thinner.

Keep it refrigerated and tightly closed, and use it within about a week of opening. Like all fresh cheese it does not freeze well for spreading, since thawing turns it grainy and weepy.

Quick facts

Where to find cream cheese (reduced-fat): Cream cheese (reduced-fat) is usually found in the cheeses section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

In Chinese: 奶油奶酪（低脂）
British (UK) term: Cream cheese (reduced-fat)
en français: fromage à la crème (faible en gras)
en español: queso crema (grasa reducida)

Recipes using cream cheese (reduced-fat)

There are 121 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting

This is a perfect recipe. I'm in love with the red velvet flavoring and the icing is just delectable. Fabulous.

Raspberry Swirl Cheesecake Squares

Creamy cheesecake bars with fresh raspberries and a chocolate crust.

Wake - Up - Smell Coffee Cheesecake

Love this lower-fat cheesecake. It well satisfied my cheesecake cravings but without giving me too much guilt afterwards. LOL.

Cream Cheese Strawberry Butter

A wonderful topping for pancakes, waffles, French toast, bagels and English muffins.

Blueberry Cream Cheese Coffee Cake

A delicious cake. I used half whole wheat flour and half white flour, otherwise followed the recipe. It came out great, and not too sweet. Perfect with a cup of coffee or tea. We did have it for breakfast :)

Cream Cheese Cherry Marbled Brownies

Moist, chocolaty and creamy, these brownies melt in your mouth.

Apple Cheese Pancakes

Apple and cream cheese pancakes. A great way to change-up Sunday breakfast.

Easy Pesto Cheese Spread

This simplest of pesto recipes becomes an easy and delicious cracker spread by adding softened cream cheese.

Blueberry Cream-Cheese Coffee Cake (Low Fat)

This low-fat version blueberry cream cheese coffee cake tastes delicious and super moist. By using most whole wheat flour, some olive oil, apple sauce and a bit butter makes a much healthier cake that still has great flavor and texture.

Low Fat Chocolate Strawberry Shortcake

This shortcake is delicious, full of chocolate flavor, instead of whipping cream, we use drained low-fat vanilla yogurt, creates the same texture, but much lower in fat and calories, enjoy this tasty dessert!!

Canadian Flag Cheesecake (Canada Day)

Make this creamy, smooth and delicious Canadian flag cheesecake for the celebration of Canada Day.

Bentley's Sweet Red Pepper Spread

This cream cheese-based cracker spread is served free at a local pub. It was so delicious that I knew I had to try to duplicate it home after I first had it. At the pub, the spread is served with club-type crackers, but it goes well on any cracker or with crudites.

Artichoke Eggs Benedict

This much quicker and easier to prepare version of the classic Eggs Benedict. Reduced fat but equally as decadent as the original. This is a variation of a vegetarian version of the same recipe, see links below.

Holly's Crockpot Seafood Cheese Dip

Crockpot seafood cheese dip loaded with shrimp, crab, and lobster melted into a base of cream cheese, sour cream, and processed cheese. Warm, scoopable, and built for a crowd.

Chocolate Pumpkin Layered Cheesecake Bars

Had some pumpkin puree and cream cheese on hand, wondering if I could make a dessert that had these two ingredients and chocolate. Found some recipes that almost fit my thoughts, then combined my own ideas, here these delicious cheesecake bars are. They were absolutely delightful and only lasted a few hours...

Pineapple Empanaditas (Mini-Pineapple Pockets)

Pineapple stuffed empanadas. A delicate pastry style dough with a filling of pineapple and apricot jam. Perfect for afternoon tea or healthy snacks for the kids or guests.

Swirled Cheesecake Brownies

Using whole wheat flour and canola oil, let these tasty desserts become more healthy.

Creamy Superbowl Spinach Dip

Adding chestnuts to this creamy spinach dip gives bits of crunch. Quick and easy to make, very tasty, and is much healthier than any store bought dip. Serve with your favorite chips, pita chips or tortilla chips. Great for a Superbowl Sunday or any gathering with friends.

Smoked Salmon Cream Cheese Soufflé

Smoked salmon, dill and cream cheese baked into a light and fluffy soufflé. A decadent Sunday brunch favorite in our house.

Easy Party Ranch Ham Rolls

Ranch flavoured cream cheese cheese rolled with ham in a flour tortilla. A favourite party appetizer that's very easy to prepare in a short amount of time.

Blueberry Tart - Low Fat

Concentric circles of blueberries decorate this no-bake blueberry pie sized tart.

Blueberry Whole Wheat Danish Cheese Cake

Blueberries, Danish and cheesecake are all in one bite, life is good! The cake is made with 100% whole wheat flour, applesauce and olive oil, and they are all good for you. Having one slice or two for breakfast with the morning coffee sounds like a good idea to me :)

Three Layer Tiramisu Cake

Using a box cake mix as a base is a time saver; substituting cream cheese for mascarpone is a money saver. Tastes like the real thing, is beautiful and surprisingly light.

Christmas Herbed Pinwheel Biscuits

Perfect for Christmas breakfast and even better as a side for Christmas dinner. You can use any fresh herbs to stuff inside these festive, tasty, healthy biscuits.

Best Ever Blueberry Coffee Cake (Low Fat)

A delicious and moist blueberry coffee cake. By using most whole wheat flour, some vegetable oil, apple sauce and a small amount of butter makes this cake contain much less fat and more fibre without losing any yumminess.

Whole Wheat Cherry Cream Cheese Bars

These decadent cherry cream cheese bars will well satisfy your cravings for something rich and sweet. They are made with whole wheat flour, light cream cheese, homemade cherry pie filling, a small amount of butter and some olive oil. Much healthier but still tastes delicious. Nobody can resist these sweets, the more importantly you don't have to feel guilty about it.

Chocolate Fudge Bundt Cake with Raspberry-Cream Cheese Filling & Chocolate Ganache

This is not your classic bundt cake that's packed with not-so-good-for-you ingredients. The cake is made with 100% whole wheat flour, grapeseed oil, Greek yogurt, low-fat cream cheese, and fresh raspberries. The ganache doesn't have any butter or cream, it contains cocoa powder, honey, grapeseed oil and Greek yogurt. Super chocolaty, fudgy, moist and packed with goodness.

Carrot Cake (low-fat)

This carrot cake is outstanding, moist inside and creamy on top, I have no coconut chips left, so I didn't sprinkle coconuts on top. The cake is just delicious, but you have to be careful of the pineapple and juice, don't use more than recipe says, otherwise the cake won't work.

Easy Shrimp Newburg

Serve this rich and creamy shrimp over cooked rice, toast points or pasta.

Fourth of July Flag Cheesecake

This recipe is decorated like the American flag and delivers lots of servings to feed a crowd. Perfect for flag day or the 4th of July.

Easter Brownie Cupcakes

Make these delicious brownie cupcakes for your Easter party, not only kids will love them, but also grown-ups.

Garlic Chicken Pizza

Garlic chicken pizza on a creamy garlic-sour cream base, topped with chicken, red onion, mushrooms, mozzarella, and parmesan. White pizza ready in 30 minutes.

Chocolate Almond Cheesecake

A scrumptious cake that is sure to be a hit at a bake sale or Christmas dinner!

Mini Chocolate & Orange Cheescake

Mini cheesecakes with chocolate cookie crusts, creamy ricotta-cream cheese filling, and fresh orange zest topping. These bite-sized treats bake in a water bath for silky texture.

Lemony Light Vineyard Cheesecakes

No-bake individual lemon cheesecakes with reduced-fat cream cheese, low-fat yogurt, and halved seedless grapes. Set with gelatin and blended smooth in minutes. Light, tangy, and refreshing.

Low Calorie Chocolate Layer Pie

Low calorie chocolate layer pie with a press-in flour crust, sweetened cream cheese middle, sugar-free chocolate pudding, and light whipped topping. Three layers, lighter guilt.

Tiramisu (Ew)

Lighter tiramisu made with cooked egg whites, mascarpone, reduced-fat cream cheese, brandy, and espresso-soaked ladyfingers. No raw eggs, layered in a trifle bowl, and chilled overnight.

Light-Style Fiesta Shrimp Dip

Light fiesta shrimp dip blends chopped shrimp with reduced-fat cream cheese, picante sauce, horseradish, cumin, and green onions. Lighter than your average shrimp dip, full of southwest punch.

Light Fiesta Shrimp Dip

Light fiesta shrimp dip with reduced-fat cream cheese, picante sauce, horseradish, and cumin. A creamy, zesty cold dip with real chopped shrimp served with vegetable dippers.

Cheese-Stuffed French Toast with Strawberry Sauce

Cheese-stuffed French toast with pockets of sweetened cream cheese, crowned with fresh strawberry-honey sauce and candied lemon rind. A weekend brunch centerpiece that turns French toast into something special occasion-worthy.

Summer Fruit Rice Cakes

Rice cakes topped with reduced-fat cream cheese, mandarin oranges, kiwi, and fresh strawberries. A colorful, low-fat no-cook snack ready in 10 minutes.

Pizza with Mixed Seafood

Mixed seafood pizza with clams and shrimp on an oat bran crust, topped with a cream cheese sauce, sauteed broccoli, mushrooms, and oregano. A white pizza with a lighter, health-conscious twist.

Cheesy Fruity & Crunchy Bran Toast

Spread with light cream cheese and orange marmalade, dipped into crunchy bran cereal, toasted on the hot pan, simple way to make these delicious toasts!

Spinach Pesto Appetizer

Spinach pesto appetizer: a sliceable, high-protein cheesecake-style savory loaf with spinach, cottage cheese, cream cheese, and Romano. Perfect make-ahead party food served chilled with crackers or crostini.

Mersey Point Smoked Mackerel Log

Smoked mackerel cheese log blended with cream cheese, horseradish, lemon, and celery, rolled in crushed almonds and parsley. A Maritime Canadian appetizer for crackers.

Pumpkin Cheese Tart

Pumpkin cheese tart with a gingersnap-oat crust and a marbled cream cheese-pumpkin filling, finished with warm caramel sauce. A lighter take on pumpkin pie that actually holds its own on the holiday table.

State Fair Zucchini Cake

State fair zucchini cake: a spiced sheet cake with shredded zucchini, walnuts, and golden raisins, topped with a lemon cream cheese frosting. Blue-ribbon classic.

Tangy Roast Beef Pockets

Stuffed roast beef pockets made with refrigerated biscuit dough, cream cheese, pimentos, and a tangy honey-horseradish-Dijon sauce. A quick handheld dinner in 40 minutes.

Stewart's Salad

Stewart's Salad is a layered retro Jell-O salad with sugar-free lemon jello and pineapple, a fluffy cream cheese middle, and a golden pineapple-juice custard topping. A diabetic-friendly potluck classic.

Fettuccine Alfredo #2

Lighter fettuccine Alfredo made with skim milk, reduced-fat cream cheese, and a roux instead of heavy cream and butter. All the creamy Parmesan flavor with less fat.

All 121 recipes