How to Make Cashew Cream

Overhead shot of thick cashew cream in a small glass dish with some raw cashews sitting beside it.

Use this versatile, basic cashew cream as a replacement for heavy cream and yogurt in soups, pastas and sauces. It can also be blended into mashed potatoes, drizzled over oatmeal, berries, soup and roasted veggies or used to make vegan mayo and sour cream.

Prep Time8

Total Time8

Course: Condiment

Cuisine: Vegan

Servings: cup

Author: Deryn Macey

Ingredients

1 cup raw cashews soaked 8 hours
1/2 - 1 cup water see notes
1 tsp sea salt
optional: 1 tbsp lemon juice or more to taste

For Sweet Cashew Cream

1-2 tbsp maple syrup or 3-5 soft pitted dates
1 tsp pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp cinnamon

For Savory Cashew Cream

1-2 cloves garlic or 1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp onion powder
1-2 tsp dried herbs like rosemary, thyme or dill

Instructions

Place cashews in a bowl, cover with water and soak at least 8 hours at room temperature. Drain and rinse.
Add the cashews to a high-speed blender with 1/2 cup of water and the sea salt. Start blending on low and slowly increase the speed. Stop to scrape down the sides as needed and continue blending until it's completely smooth and creamy, adding more water as necessary to reach your desired consistency. It will thicken further when chilled and can always be thinned later with additional water.
Store in the fridge in a sealed container for up to 5 days.

Notes

For a thick, spreadable dip consistency (good for mayo or sour cream), use 1/2-3/4 cup water. For a heavy cream replacement use 3/4-1 cup water. For half-and-half consistency, you may need up to 1 1/2-2 cups water. For cashew milk, add up t to 4 cups water. I find the amount of water needed depends on the quality of the cashews and how long they were soaked. I've used up to 2 cups of water and still had it be quite thick.

See posts for notes on soaking and additional flavour variations.

Nutrition facts are for if you use 3/4 cup water, which makes just over 1 cup.

If it's too thick after sitting in the fridge simple re-blend with additional water.

Nutrition