Homemade cream cheese for cakes

Ingredients

• 4 cups (32oz /1000ml) whole milk (full fat, not low fat)
• 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice (lime juice or white vinegar)
• 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

1. In a heavy bottomed saucepan, heat themilk on med-high. Stirring constantly until it starts to a rolling simmer.
2. Reduce the heat to medium. Add the lemon juice 1 tablespoon at a time, in 1 minute intervals. Continue stirring constantly.
3. Continue cooking until the mixture curdles. Stir constantly till the mixture has separated completely, this should take just a few minutes. There will be a green liquid on the bottom and thick curdles on top. Remove from the heat. This should happens within a few minutes.
4. Lay a sieve with a cheesecloth over a large bowl. Pour the curd mix into the sieve. Let it strain and cool for about 15 minutes.
5. Transfer curds to a food processor and process until curds have come together and are totally smooth and creamy. It will take around 3-4 minutes. Keep going if your cream cheese is grainy.
6. Add salt and taste. Add more if you want more flavor. Now is also a good time to add herbs, garlic or any other flavors you like.
7. This cream cheese must be stored in the fridge. I always use it within 7 day but can last as long as up to 2 weeks.