MyTastr

Best cream cheese, according to chefs

Three picks, each tied to a named taster and a public source — from Claire Saffitz, Alex Raij, Jessica Craig, Priscilla Scaff-Mariani and 8 more. Recommendations come from bonappetit.com, allrecipes.com, eatingwell.com and foodandwine.com and 1 other sources.

Dairy & Cold · The ranking

  1. 1
    Top pick

    Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese (block)

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    “I only believe in Philly cream cheese. It’s just the best, and nothing else tastes right” (Saffitz). Craig uses it because it’s “the same texture every single time.” It also swept the chef panels at Allrecipes and EatingWell.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: bonappetit.com ↗
  2. 2

    Temp Tee Whipped Cream Cheese

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    For bagels, Goodman prefers it to Philadelphia’s whipped: “It’s just got that old school whipped taste. It’s airy, and it’s creamy.” Best overall in Food & Wine’s blind test: “very delicious and fresh-tasting, almost like whipped butter” (Audrey Morgan). For baking, use a brick.
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: eatingwell.com ↗
  3. 3

    Tillamook Cream Cheese (brick or Farmstyle spread)

    Chosen by
    Also chosen by
    The tangiest in Food & Wine’s blind test. It’s made with extra cream and no gums or stabilizers, which the testers said is great for cooking and baking. Serious Eats’ editors chose the spread as a pick; one called it “kind of perfect.”
    Where to buy · Amazon ↗Instacart ↗Source: foodandwine.com ↗

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Questions, answered

What is the best cream cheese, according to chefs?
MyTastr’s top pick is Philadelphia Original Cream Cheese (block), chosen by Claire Saffitz (Dessert Person); Priscilla Scaff-Mariani (Gabriel Kreuther); Alex Raij (La Vara, Txikito); Jessica Craig (L’Artusi). “I only believe in Philly cream cheese. It’s just the best, and nothing else tastes right” (Saffitz). Craig uses it because it’s “the same texture every single time.” It also swept the chef panels at Allrecipes and EatingWell. Source: bonappetit.com ↗
What are the other top picks for cream cheese?
No. 2 is Temp Tee Whipped Cream Cheese, chosen by Peter Goodman (Goody’s Bagels, NY). No. 3 is Tillamook Cream Cheese (brick or Farmstyle spread), chosen by Lucy Simon (Food & Wine). Each card above links to the original source.
How does MyTastr choose these picks?
Every pick is tied to a named chef, cookbook author or food expert and links to the public interview, panel or article it came from. We survey dozens, often hundreds, of top chefs, food writers and critics, and order reflects how often and how strongly a brand is recommended. Only organic recommendations count — paid endorsements don’t — and brands can’t buy a spot. Read how we pick.

The tasters behind this ranking

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