Cream cheese is a cherished dairy product that has grabbed the hearts (and taste buds) of food enthusiasts worldwide. It is indulgent, creamy, and oh-so-versatile. Cream cheese has earned its place as a culinary staple, whether slathered on bagels, incorporated into creamy cheesecakes, or used as a decadent spread for crackers and sandwiches. Beyond its delightful taste and versatility, cream cheese boasts nutritional benefits as well. It is a good source of protein, calcium, and vitamin A, making it a valuable addition to a balanced diet.
The demand for high-quality cream cheese has increased in recent years, leading to an increased number of brands available. These brands not only excel in taste but also prioritize the use of premium ingredients and uphold strict quality standards. This article will explore these top cream cheese brands in Malaysia in more detail.
Can Cream Cheese Be Used In Cooking?
Apart from baking, cream cheese is a versatile ingredient that can also be used in cooking. It offers a creamy and rich flavour to a variety of recipes. It can be used to prepare creamy sauces, dips, and soups. Cream cheese has been used in American, Italian, and fusion cuisines, among others. It melts beautifully and is ideal for stuffing meats and vegetables.
Does Cream Cheese Pose Any Issues For Individuals With Lactose Intolerance?
Lactose levels in cream cheese are lower than in other dairy products. Many individuals with lactose intolerance can tolerate moderate amounts of cream cheese without experiencing symptoms. However, sensitivity to lactose can vary, so it’s important to consider individual tolerance and, if necessary, consult a healthcare practitioner.
How To Store Cream Cheese?
To maintain its freshness and quality, cream cheese should be kept in the refrigerator. To avoid absorbing odours in the fridge, store it in its original packing or transfer it to an airtight container. Make sure the container is firmly sealed to avoid drying out or flavour changes caused by air exposure. Once opened, it is recommended to use cream cheese within one to two weeks for best quality.
Explore a wider range of products to use cream cheese with:
1. Best Vanilla Essence in Malaysia 2023
2. Best Cake Flour for Baking 2023
3. Best Vanilla Biscuits/ Snacks/ Crackers in Malaysia 2023
1. La Vache Qui Rit (Laughing Cow) Triangle Cheese Original
The Laughing Cow Cheese offers nutritional components such as calcium, fats, and energy, making it a beneficial addition to one’s diet. It has become a children’s snack in the United Kingdom and Canada. While cheese is highly regarded, parents must be mindful that it is suitable for children over the age of 1 and should be consumed in moderation. Created from a blend of mild Cheddar and Swiss cheeses, Laughing Cow Cheese is specifically crafted to be enjoyed as a convenient snack on the go. Its gentle, creamy, refreshing flavour pairs exceptionally well with crackers, bagels, or apple slices. It offers a delightful melt-in-the-mouth sensation, whether spread on toast or enjoyed as a bite-sized treat. However, it is not recommended for baking purposes.
- Type: Processed, Brick
- Amount: 120g
- Flavor: Plain
- Calories: 40kcal
Price: RM9.50
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
2. Kiri Cream Cheese
Kiri cream cheese is a well-known brand noted for its smooth and creamy texture. It’s produced with high-quality milk and cream, giving it a rich and decadent flavour. Kiri cream cheese is flexible and may be used in various recipes, including toast and bagels, cheesecakes, dips, and creamy sauces. Its velvety texture makes it easy to spread and incorporate into sweet and savoury meals.
- Type: Processed, Brick
- Amount: 108g
- Flavor: Plain
- Calories: 242kcal
Price: RM13.20
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
3. Dairylands Cream Cheese
If you’ve noticed, both Tatura cream cheese and Dairylands cream cheese come from the same company, Bega. However, there are notable differences between the two. Tatura cream cheese offers a milky, creamy flavor with less sourness, but it may not be the best choice for no-bake cheesecakes. On the other hand, Dairylands cream cheese has a clean cheese taste, a mild acidity, and a subtle hint of saltiness. The quality of Dairylands cream cheese is exceptional, which reflects in its slightly higher price compared to Tatura cream cheese. While it may not be readily available in supermarkets or grocery stores these days, you can find Dairylands Cream Cheese in online shops, online shopping sites, or specialty baking ingredient stores.
- Type: Processed, Brick
- Amount: 2kg
- Flavor: Plain
- Calories: 350kcal
Price: RM59.90
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
4. Anchor Cream Cheese
Anchor Cream Cheese is a delightful blend of fresh cream and milk, creating a smooth and luscious texture. It offers versatility in savoury and sweet culinary creations, making it an excellent choice for various dishes. Additionally, it can be enjoyed on its own as a simple spread, showcasing its deliciousness. Its well-balanced tanginess serves as an ideal base, especially for fruity cheesecake variations. Another noteworthy feature of Anchor cream cheese is its ability to be stored for up to twelve months in the refrigerator, unopened, owing to its natural cheese composition.
- Type: Processed, Brick
- Amount: 1 kg
- Flavor: Plain
- Calories: 350 kcal
Price: RM32.90
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
5. Dairymont Cream Cheese
DAIRYMONT Cream Cheese is known for its rich, soft, and mild taste, with a delightfully creamy texture and fresh flavour. Dairymont cream cheese has undergone extensive testing across various applications, consistently delivering an appealing appearance, well-balanced flavours, desired firmness, and smoothness. It maintains its integrity even when mixed into recipes, preventing thinning and preserving a satisfying body and texture. With a lingering mouthfeel and a subtle creamy taste, Dairymont cream cheese harmonizes with other flavours without overpowering them. It is free from artificial additives, colouring, and preservatives and holds a Halal certification, ensuring its compliance with Islamic dietary standards.
- Type: Natural, Block
- Amount: 250 g
- Flavor: Plain
- Calories: 150kcal
RM59.90- RM65
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
6. Tatura Cream Cheese
Made in Australia from farm fresh cow’s milk, TATURA Cream Cheese is world renowned as a rich, soft, mild tasting spreadable white cheese featuring a superior creamy texture and fresh tasting flavour. The texture of Tatura cream cheese is too creamy & milky. The taste of milk is more and the sourness is lesser. Not as stable as other cream cheese brands, if you are doing a no bake recipe, opt for another cream cheese brand as you do not want to mess up your kitchen!
- Amount: 250g, 500g, 1kg
- Flavor: Plain
- Calories: 884kcal
Price: RM25.50
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
7. Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese
Philadelphia Cream Cheese is considered one of the top-selling cream cheese brands worldwide. Despite its name, Philadelphia Cream Cheese was invented in New York and has since become the benchmark for high-quality cream cheese. The original cream cheese variant is made with five simple ingredients and is the perfect addition to recipes, offering a creamy and smooth consistency. While Philadelphia Cream Cheese is widely cherished for its contribution to cheesecakes and dips, it can also create creamy pasta sauces, delightful no-bake desserts, and rich soups. Each block of original cream cheese is conveniently packaged in an eight-ounce box.
- Type: Processed, Block
- Amount: 250g
- Flavor: Plain
- Calories: 100 kcal/ 30 g
Price: RM20
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
8. Cottura Cream Cheese
Indulge in the smooth and creamy goodness of Cottura Cream Cheese, an American cheese sourced from the USA. With its velvety texture, this cream cheese becomes your perfect partner in creating delicious cakes and pastries. You can also spread this delectable cream cheese on your favourite bread or crackers and get creative by adding fresh ingredients like fruits for a touch of sweetness or salmon for a savoury twist. However, it’s important to keep in mind that Cottura Cream Cheese has a shorter shelf life, so it’s best to consume it promptly to enjoy its optimal flavour and quality.
- Type: Natural, Block
- Amount: 226 g
- Flavor: Plain
- Calories: 335 kcal
Price: RM13.90
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
9. Prairie Farms Original Cream Cheese
Prairie Farms Original cream cheese is crafted using a simple blend of real milk and cream, without any preservatives or artificial growth hormones. It is an excellent choice for the holiday season, complementing a wide range of dips and recipes. Prairies Farms cream cheese offers a well-balanced combination of milk richness, saltiness, and sourness, delivering a super smooth and silky texture. While it may be firmer than other cream cheeses, this quality makes it ideal for no-bake desserts, like cheesecakes. Its texture helps maintain the shape of such recipes while providing that desired tangy flavor we all crave.
- Type: Processed, Brick
- Amount: 226 g
- Flavor: Plain
- Calories: 100kcal
Price: RM9.90
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
10. ARLA Cream Cheese
Arla’s Natural Cream Cheese offers a cream cheese option known for its simplicity, freshness, and natural ingredients. Arla takes pride in producing high-quality cream cheese with a delightful taste. If you prefer natural cream cheese, Arla is the brand for you. Their cream cheese is made from only four natural ingredients and contains no artificial additives. It is the perfect companion for crackers, buns, sandwiches, wraps, and more. Arla Natural Cream Cheese can also be a delicious and wholesome addition to cheesecakes, providing a naturally tasty treat. With its smooth and easy-to-handle structure, Arla Cream Cheese is the ideal ingredient for creating a homemade cheesecake filled with your choice of fruits or other delightful ingredients.
- Type: Natural, Spead
- Amount: 150 g
- Flavor: Plain
- Calories: 253 kcal/ 100 g
Price: RM10.90- RM19.25
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
11. Emborg Cream Cheese
Emborg Cream Cheese is a well-known brand noted for its smooth and creamy texture, making it an excellent choice for cheese lovers. It comes in two varieties: “cream cheese” and “American cream cheese,” each with its own distinct flavour. The cream cheese variation has a more spreadable texture, making it ideal for mixing with bread, crackers, and other similar appetisers. The American cream cheese type, on the other hand, has a firmer texture, making it a good choice for cooking and baking. Emborg Cream Cheese provides excellent value for money due to its low cost. It is a fantastic snacking option as well as a flexible element for making delectable cheesecakes.
- Type: Natural, Block
- Amount: 226 g
- Flavor: Plain
- Calories: 268kcal
Price: RM15
*Prices may vary at the time of purchase
12. Le Gall Cream Cheese
Le Gall collects their milk from farms in order to guarantee undisputed excellence in quality of their raw ingredients. Le Gall cream cheese is to unleash the flavor, using only fresh raw milk in the Brittany region in France’s leading dairy region, and of state-of-the-art technology and facilities.
Le Gall takes pride in their high quality products made with artisanal methods. This delicious cream cheese has a light, mild and sweet taste, with a rich full-bodied flavour. Get Creative Mix with cream, eggs, flour and vanilla for a delicious cheesecake.
- Type: Processed, Brick
- Amount: 150g
- Flavor: Plain
- Calories: 40kcal
Disclosure: This list was compiled by the team at My Weekend Plan after extensive research and shared opinions to suggest helpful recommendations for the public. The sequence of brands is in no particular order so if you have any other great suggestions too, please email us support@myweekendplan.com.my. For more information, kindly refer to our copyright, privacy & disclosure policy.
