MASCARPONE / DAVID ERICSON / CC BY , CHEESECAKE / FREDERIQUE VOISIN-DEMERY / CC BY , MASCARPONE / STU_SPIVACK / CC BY, CARAMEL / ROSENBEGAL / CC BY

We all know that mascarpone cheese can be expensive, but did you know that there’s a way to make it at home? This budget-friendly recipe is truly a keeper, and you’ll never want to buy mascarpone from the store again! All you need are two basic ingredients to make this delicious cheese. Heavy cream and lemon juice are all you need to put this together, and a little bit of patience. Use your homemade mascarpone with your favorite tiramisu recipe, or simply spread it on a bagel for a tasty breakfast!

Ingredients:

1) Saucepan

2) 2 cups heavy cream (this recipe makes approximately 2 cups of mascarpone cheese)

3) 1 lemon

4) Strainer

5) Unbleached cheese cloth

6) Large bowl

7) Candy thermometer

Steps:

1.) Take out your saucepan, pour in the 2 cups of heavy cream, and stick in your candy thermometer. Bring the cream to a simmer. The temperature on the thermometer should be around 180 F. Keep the temperature around 180 F.

2.) Allow the cream to simmer at 180 F for 3 minutes. Add in lemon juice. Allow it to simmer for an additional 3 minutes, then take the cream off the heat. Leave it to cool until it’s room temperature.

3.) Take out your strainer and line it with 3 layers of cheesecloth. Place a bowl under the strainer. Pour the mascarpone into the strainer.

4.) Place the strainer with the bowl underneath into the fridge. Leave it there overnight. In the morning, your mascarpone will be thick and creamy. The mascarpone will be good in the fridge for 1 week.