Cream Cheese

Measure and soften cream cheese the same way you would butter by allowing it to sit at room temperature before using. Properly softened cream cheese is key to a successful recipe; otherwise you may end up with a lumpy mixture. Generally, when you have a recipe that calls for cream cheese, you begin by blending the cream cheese in a bowl with a mixer until creamy before adding any additional ingredients. This will also help to ensure that the mixture is well mixed and lump free.