• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Pure and Simple Nourishment
  • About
    • Meet Dr. Erin Carter
    • My Food Philosophy
    • Press and Publications
    • Contact
  • Free Resources
  • Recipes
    • Holidays
      • Fall
      • Thanksgiving
      • Christmas
    • Breakfast
    • Main Course
    • Dessert
    • Sauces and Dips
    • Side Dish
    • Drinks
    • Vegetables
    • Snack
    • Meat and Fish
    • Recipe Wrap-Ups
    • SCD
    • GAPS
    • Whole30
    • AIP
    • Vegan
    • Paleo
    • Dairy-Free
    • Gluten-Free
    • Low FODMAP
    • Refined-Sugar-Free
  • Health
    • Health Information
    • Book Club
  • Nutrition
  • Favorites
    • Books
    • Tools
    • Skincare
  • Work With Me
    • Services
    • Skin Care Quiz
    • Contact
  • Skin Care
  • Weekly Workouts
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Summer
  • Recipes
  • Health Information
  • Meet Dr. Erin Carter
  • Services
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Summer
    • Recipes
    • Health Information
    • Meet Dr. Erin Carter
    • Services
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Dessert

    The Best Vegan Mascarpone with Cashews (dairy-free & paleo)

    Modified: Apr 7, 2025 • Published: Apr 2, 2021 by Dr. Erin Carter • This post may contain affiliate links • 2 Comments

    76 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This is the best vegan mascarpone! Slightly sweet and just a little tart it's made with raw cashews, coconut milk, apple cider vinegar, and maple syrup to keep it dairy free yet still creamy and delicious. It's so easy to make and can be used in so many ways.

    A bowl of vegan mascarpone with a strawberry in it.

    If you love vegan desserts like healthy vegan peanut butter oatmeal cookies, edible vegan cookie dough and vegan whipped cream then you are in the right place. You are going to love the easy vegan treat I sharing with you today!

    Table of Contents
    • Why you will love this recipe:
    • Ingredients and substitutions:
    • Recipe variations and add ins:
    • How to make vegan mascarpone:
    • How to serve:
    • Top tip:
    • Vegan mascarpone FAQs:
    • Other vegan recipes you will love:
    • Recipe

    Why you will love this recipe:

    • This dairy-free mascarpone has the best flavour! Slightly sweet and a little tart, just like traditional mascarpone.
    • It's so quick and easy to make and is ready in just a few minutes. Just like coconut condensed milk and homemade brown sugar simple syrup.
    • This plant based mascarpone can be used in so many ways including for making tiramisu and mascarpone pasta.
    • Besides being vegan this mascarpone recipe is also dairy-free, refined sugar free, vegetarian, lactose free, and paleo.

    If you love dairy free sauces and dips you will also love vegan cheese sauce and vegan hummus.

    Ingredients and substitutions:

    For the full ingredient list and exact measurements refer to the recipe card later in this post.

    Jump to the Recipe Card.
    Bowls with different foods in them including cashews, maple syrup, coconut milk, apple cider vinegar and lemon juice.
    • Raw cashews - these are key for this vegan mascarpone recipe and give it that nice thick and creamy texture. Be sure to use raw cashews and not roasted cashews as roasted cashews will give this mascarpone a weird flavour. 
    • Coconut milk - I recommend using full-fat coconut milk. This helps give this vegan mascarpone recipe the most creamy and rich texture. Instead of coconut milk you can use coconut cream which is also nice and thick. I do not recommend trying to use soy milk, almond milk or oat milk to make this recipe as they are all too thin and watery.
    • Apple cider vinegar - to give this vegan mascarpone that perfect tartness and subtle tang. You could swap this for lemon juice or white vinegar if you don't have apple cider vinegar. 
    • Lemon juice - another tart ingredient to give this mascarpone the perfect tangy flavour. You could also swap this for more apple cider vinegar if you wish. 
    • Maple syrup - this liquid sweetener adds just a touch of sweetness while keeping this mascarpone refined sugar free. You could swap this for date syrup if you don't have maple syrup. 

    Recipe variations and add ins:

    • To make this mascarpone sweeter: add an extra tablespoon of maple syrup.
    • To make it more bitter: add an extra tablespoon of lemon juice.
    • For a different flavour add a little vanilla extract. This is great if you want to use this mascarpone for making desserts.
    • Feel free to make a double or triple batch of this vegan mascarpone if you are serving a crowd. 

    How to make vegan mascarpone:

    Cashews and coconut milk in a food processor.
    1. Step 1: First, place all the ingredients into your food processor or high-speed blender. 
    Blended cashews and coconut milk in a food processor.
    1. Step 2: Then blend everything well until you have a smooth and creamy texture.

    How to serve:

    This vegan mascarpone can be used in many ways. Traditionally it is used to make tiramisu so you can use it to make vegan tiramisu. You can also use this dessert spread to top cakes, as an icing, as a bagel spread, or as a dip for fresh fruit. It can also be used to add to savoury recipes like soups, or stews, or to make mascarpone pasta!

    Top tip:

    When stored this vegan mascarpone will firm up in the fridge so allow it to come to room temperature before serving it again. You could stir in a bit of hot water to help soften it more quickly.

    A bowl of vegan mascarpone with a fresh strawberry in it.

    Vegan mascarpone FAQs:

    Is this recipe keto?

    No this mascarpone is not low carb or keto.

    Is this mascarpone paleo?

    Yes it is.

    What if I can't have cashews?

    Sorry, I have not tried any other replacements or swaps for the cashews in this recipe.

    Can I freeze this mascarpone?

    Yes! This mascarpone freezes really well in an airtight container or jar for up to 3 months.

    How should I store this vegan mascarpone?

    Store this mascarpone in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days. It will firm up in the fridge so allow it to come to room temperature before serving again. You could also add a bit of hot water to help soften it more quickly.

    Other vegan recipes you will love:

    • A bowl of dairy free sour cream with a spoon in it and a lemon slice on top.
      Easy Dairy-Free Sour Cream (gluten-free, vegan & paleo)
    • A blue bowl filled with a chocolate avocado mousse with a strawberry on top of it and strawberries around the bowl.
      5 Ingredient Chocolate Avocado Mousse (healthy & vegan)
    • A bowl of walnut dressing with three walnuts on top for garnish.
      The Best Walnut Dressing
    • A bowl of vegan walnut pesto topped with fresh basil leaves and walnuts.
      Vegan Walnut Pesto with Basil (so easy!)

    Since you made it this far we are basically best friends so be sure to follow me on Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok and Facebook where I share even more recipes and healthy living tips! And don’t forget to leave this recipe a star review before you go!

    Recipe

    A bowl of vegan mascarpone with a fresh strawberry in it.

    Vegan Mascarpone

    This vegan mascarpone is the best! It's so easy to make in just a few minutes and has the perfect smooth and creamy texture.
    4.75 from 16 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, dips, sauces, Snack
    Cuisine: American, Italian
    Diet: Diabetic, Gluten Free, Low Lactose, Vegan
    Prep Time: 1 hour hour
    Cook Time: 2 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 1 hour hour 2 minutes minutes
    Servings: 16
    Calories: 81kcal
    Author: Dr. Erin Carter

    Equipment

    • food processor

    Ingredients

    • 1 1/2 cups raw cashews, soaked for 1-2 hours
    • 1/4 cup plus one tablespoon full fat coconut milk
    • 2 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
    • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
    • 2-3 tablespoon maple syrup (depending on how sweet you want it)
    • pinch sea salt

    Instructions

    • Place all the ingredients into your food processor.
    • Blend well until smooth. Then serve and enjoy!

    Notes

    1. Nutritional values are an estimate and will vary depending on the exact ingredients used. 
    2. To make it sweeter: add an extra tablespoon of maple syrup.
    3. Store this in the fridge in an airtight container for up to 7 days. It will firm up in the fridge so allow it to come to room temperature or stir in a little hot water before serving again.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 81kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 6g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 96mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 2g | Vitamin A: 1IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @pureandsimpleno or tag #pureandsimpleno!

    DISCLAIMERS: The statements made on this website have not been approved by the Food and Drug Administration or Health Canada. The information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease. You assume full responsibility for how you use this information. Always consult with your physician or other health professionals before making any diet or lifestyle changes. This post may contain affiliate links whereby if you purchase these products I receive a small percentage of the sale price. This allows me to keep the blog running and I thank you for allowing me to do that!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Amber

      October 12, 2021 at 1:52 am

      How much does this end up making? Enough for two layers/filling on a cake?

      Reply
      • Erin Carter

        October 19, 2021 at 12:11 pm

        It yields just over 1 1/2 cups (I haven't actually measured but based on the raw ingredients I think that's what it works out too).

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    A photo of Dr. Erin Carter wearing a floral dress in her kitchen.

    Hi everyone!

    My name is Dr. Erin Carter and I am so thrilled you are here. I am a physician with specialties in both internal medicine and rheumatology, and I believe that food and healthy living are forms of medicine. In my spare time I share health information and delicious, healthy recipes here on Pure and Simple Nourishment.

    More about me

    Summer Recipes

    • A bottle of dill pickle salad dressing with cut up pickles beside it.
      Dill Pickle Salad Dressing with Pickle Juice (so easy!)
    • A lemon lavender cookie on a baking sheet with a bite out of it and surrounded by lemon slices.
      Lemon Lavender Cookies (gluten-free option)
    • Two ginger turmeric shots in glass bottles with white lids surrounded by ginger, turmeric, orange slices and lemon slices.
      Easy Lemon Ginger Turmeric Shots Recipe & Benefits (no juicer)
    • A jar of raspberry chia pudding topped with fresh raspberries and white chia seeds.
      5 Ingredient Raspberry Chia Pudding
    • A jar of chocolate orange overnight oats garnished with orange zest.
      The Best Chocolate Orange Overnight Oats
    • A bowl of coconut whipped cream.
      Easy Coconut Whipped Cream (vegan, dairy-free)

    Health Info

    • A collage of different air fryers with the title "Non-Toxic Air Fryers" over them.
      6 Non-Toxic Air Fryers - without Teflon or PFAS (2025 Update)
    • A collage of many different sunscreen bottles with the title The Best Safe Sunscreens Over them.
      10 Non-Toxic Sunscreens (tried and tested)
    • Two girls laying on the beach with their legs in the air and the title "how to choose a safe sunscreen" over them.
      How to Choose Non-Toxic Sunscreen & the Best Brands
    • A collage of toothpastes, flosses, and bamboo toothbrushes with the title "the best natural dental care products" above them.
      Non-Toxic Dental Care Products

    Popular Recipes

    • A paleo apple pie bar with a bite out of it and pieces of cooked apples beside it.
      Healthy Apple Pie Bars (gluten-free, vegan & paleo)
    • A gluten free burger in a bun with lettuce, tomato and ketchup.
      The Best Gluten-Free Burgers Recipe (so juicy!)
    • A loaf of gluten free chocolate chip banana bread cut into pieces.
      The Best Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Banana Bread (dairy free & paleo)
    • A paleo chocolate chip zucchini muffin with a bite out of it.
      Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Zucchini Muffins (dairy-free & paleo)
    • A bowl of Whole30 asian coleslaw with dressing being poured on it.
      The Best Healthy Asian Coleslaw Salad
    • A jar of berry cheesecake overnight oats topped with fresh berries with a spoon in it.
      The Best Berry Cheesecake Overnight Oats

    Footer

    featured on:

    Sign up for emails and updates!

    Sign me up!
    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy
    • Contact
    • Services
    • ↑ back to top

    Some of the links on this website are affiliate links whereby we make a small percentage if you purchase the product through that link. It does not cost you anything extra and helps us keep this website running. As an Amazon associate we earn a small percentage from qualifying Amazon purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Pure & Simple Nourishment - Powered by Feast+

    76 shares
    76 shares

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required