Cream Cheese vs Butter – What's The Difference?

Butter and cream cheese have the same nutrients and ingredients, so they are frequently used to substitute for one another. Cream cheese is more suitable for those looking to decrease calories and fats in their diets, but both have benefits.

If you’re looking to become more aware of your food choices and perhaps cut down on the fats you consume in your diet, then we’ve included everything you should be aware of to help you understand the distinctions between them and the differences between them!

Cream Cheese vs Butter

When comparing cream cheese and butter, it’s essential to note that various types exist, including full-cream butter, light butter, full-cream cheese, and reduced-fat cream cheese.

Each has unique nutritional values and ingredients, so you can choose based on taste preferences or health considerations.

Cream cheese and butter are both dairy products, but they have different textures and flavors.

Cream cheese is soft and spreadable, with a tangy flavor, while butter is solid at room temperature and has a creamy, rich flavor.

Cream cheese is made from a mixture of cream and milk, while butter is made from churning cream or milk to separate the fat from the liquid.

Read also: Mold On Butter – What’s The Cause And What To Do

Ingredients

Butter is made from sweet cream and is often salted, while cream cheese is produced using milk, pasteurized cream, stabilizers, salt, and cheese cultures.

Butter, made by churning cream, is simple and contains more fats, contributing to its creamy taste and texture.

Cream cheese is a blend of milk and cream with other ingredients. Full-fat butter and cream cheese have the simplest ingredients, while reduced-fat and light versions contain extra components.

Be sure to read the labels.

Nutritional Benefits

Examining the nutritional content of cream cheese and butter can help you determine which is better for your needs:

• Calories: Butter is higher in calories (about 717 per 100g) than cream cheese (around 350 per 100g).
• Carbohydrates: Both have low carbohydrate levels, with butter containing 0.06g per 100g and cream cheese 5.5g per 100g.
• Sugar: Both are low in sugar, with butter containing 0.06g per 100g and cream cheese about 3.8g per 100g.
• Protein: Cream cheese is higher in protein, containing 6.2g per 100g, while butter has 0.85g per 100g.
• Saturated Fat: Both are high in saturated fats, but butter has more (50.5g per 100g) than cream cheese (20.2g per 100g).
• Trans Fat: Unsalted butter has less trans fat than cream cheese, which contains about 1.2g per 100g.
• Calcium: Cream cheese is a better calcium source, containing 97mg per 100g, compared to butter’s 24mg per 100g.
• Potassium: Cream cheese contains more potassium (132mg per 100g) than butter (24mg per 100g).

Which Is Healthier: Cream Cheese or Butter?

Cream cheese is generally a healthier option due to its lower calorie and fat content and higher protein levels.

It can be an ideal spread or dip for those on a calorie-restricted or high-protein diet.

If you prefer butter’s flavor but want less fat, light butter is a tasty alternative.

Butter is often used when frying food, as an ingredient in baking, as part of a flour roux for sauces, and as a base spread on any form of bread or cake. 

Cream cheese is used mainly as a spread but is used a lot in baking things like cheesecake. 

Frequently Asked Questions