Yogurt Cheese

While not a true cheese, yogurt (homemade or store-bought) thickened to the consistency of mascarpone can be substituted in some recipes for sour cream, crème fraîche, and cream cheese to reduce fat and calories. The substitution can be made in an equal quantity in recipes where the ingredient is not cooked — for example, Sour Cream Mixture for Piping and Romanoff Sauce, and when crème fraîche is used to accompany a dessert.