Name: Cashew Cream: A Magical Vegan Sauce
Prep time: PT-900740H19M6S
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 20 min
Cuisine: vegan
Ingredients: 1 cup raw cashews; 1/4-1/2 cup filtered or bottled water; A Pinch of salt

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There are so many uses for Cashew Cream you may not know where to start! We’ve got all of the information you need, from what it is to how to make it. Start soaking your cashews and try this delicious, versatile, vegan cream ASAP!

Side view of a small grey bowl filled with cashew cream

Cashew Cream is one of the simplest recipes you’ll ever find! It starts with just a couple of ingredients and can be added to depending on what you’re cooking. By itself, this vegan cream is an incredible vegan replacement for heavy or sour cream and adds perfect texture, moisture, and flavor to your recipes. Once you’ve made a batch you’ll be hooked and so excited to make it your own!

What is Cashew Cream?

Whether you’re an established vegan or you’re trying to reduce your dairy intake, this cashew cream is an absolute staple! It’s a creamy condiment made from just soaked cashews, water, and a pinch of salt. It has the consistency of sour cream or yogurt and we use it as a replacement for heavy cream or mayonnaise. However, there are so many variations that make this a versatile base to fill with a savory or sweet flavor.

bird's eye view of a bow with vegan sour cream

Do I Need to Soak Cashews for Cashew Cream?

The short answer is yes, but even if you don't have the time to soak cashews overnight, you’re still in luck! Ideally, cashews should be soaked overnight in filtered water, but to save time you can soak them for at least 30 minutes in boiling water. The longer you’re able to soak the cashews the smoother the cream will be! You’ll know they’re ready when they come apart when you squeeze them with your fingers. Make sure to rinse your soaked cashews thoroughly before blending.

Our Tips for the Best Cashew Cream

We have a couple tips that will help you make the very best cashew cream ever!

Raw Cashews: Use raw, not roasted, cashews for creaminess and a mild flavor. They’re also super creamy and give a bright white color to your cream! We always try to buy cashews in the bulk section or in large quantities online, then store them in the freezer.
Soak Cashews: Ideally, soak cashew in filtered or bottled water for best results and a cleaner taste. Especially if your tap water is highly chlorinated.
Blender or Food Processor: A high-speed blender works best for smooth cashew cream. If you don’t have one you can use a regular blender or a food processor, but be patient and scrape the sides of the blender as needed. Your cashew cream may have a grainier texture if it’s made in a food processor.
Water: You can adjust the amount of water as needed for your cashew cream depending on your preference and what you’ll be using it for! More water will give a looser consistency, while less water creates a thicker cream. Alternatively, you can add unsweetened plant-based milk instead of water.

Making cashew cream is as simple as putting all of the ingredients in a blender and running it until a smooth cream forms! You can adjust the thickness and texture with water, and keep in mind you’ll get the very creamiest results with a high-speed blender.

Cashews blended in a blender to make cashew cream

7 Ways to Use Cashew Cream

There are so many variations of classic cashew cream! It’s such a versatile condiment to know how to make because you can add to them for different kinds of cream.

Plain cashew cream ( basic recipe): This is just soaked cashews, water, and a pinch of salt. This works as a replacement for heavy cream or mayonnaise and has a mild flavor! You could also dip crackers or veggies in this dip or spread it on sandwiches. Add it to mashed potatoes or celery root, as we did in this Chana Masala with Celeriac Puree.
Sweet Cashew Cream: Soaked cashews, maple syrup, lemon, and vanilla. Use it as pastry cream or just eat it on toast.
Vegan Vanilla Frosting: check out this creative and healthier frosting that we used for our Caramel Apple Vegan Cupcakes.
Homemade Cashew Coffee Creamer: Make your own delicious coffee creamer with soaked cashews, water, dates, maple syrup, agave, honey, white or brown sugar, plant-based milk, a splash of vanilla, and an optional flavor booster like ground cinnamon or cardamom.

Pouring homemade cashew cream coffee creamer on a cup of coffee

Cashew Sour Cream: Add a little tang for vegan sour cream! Soaked cashews, lemon, apple cider vinegar, and salt make it perfect for dipping and dolloping on Black Bean Soup, on Tacos, and drizzled over Roasted Vegetables or Legume or Bean Bowls.
Cashew cream sauce: replace mayo in your favorite coleslaw or use this Kohlrabi Salad recipe. Make it with soaked cashews, lemon, nutritional yeast, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
Cashew Caesar dressing: That’s right, vegan Caesar salad dressing! This is soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, fresh garlic, lemon, salt, and pepper. Get the recipe on this Vegan Kale Caesar Salad recipe.
Cashew Ricotta: You read that right, cashew ricotta! You make a sweet or savory cashew cream with a chunkier texture and use it in this Vegan Whole Wheat Pancakes with Lemon Cashew Ricotta recipe or even as a pizza topping as we did in this Basil Cashew Ricotta Pizza.
Cashew Sour Cream: Add a little tang for vegan sour cream! Soaked cashews, lemon, apple cider vinegar, and salt make it perfect for dipping and dolloping on Black Bean Soup, on Tacos, and drizzled over Roasted Vegetables or Legume or Bean Bowls.
Cashew cream sauce: replace mayo in your favorite coleslaw or use this Kohlrabi Salad recipe. Make it with soaked cashews, lemon, nutritional yeast, maple syrup, salt, and pepper.
Cashew Caesar dressing: That’s right, vegan Caesar salad dressing! This is soaked cashews, nutritional yeast, fresh garlic, lemon, salt, and pepper. Get the recipe on this Vegan Kale Caesar Salad recipe.
Cashew Ricotta: You read that right, cashew ricotta! You make a sweet or savory cashew cream with a chunkier texture and use it in this Vegan Whole Wheat Pancakes with Lemon Cashew Ricotta recipe or even as a pizza topping as we did in this Basil Cashew Ricotta Pizza.

Infographic on 7 ways to use cashew cream

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