Description
Want to recreate the creamy, melty goodness of White American cheese at home? This recipe uses real cheese, milk, and a few key ingredients to achieve that classic texture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 cups shredded mild white cheddar (or Colby cheese)
- ½ cup whole milk
- 2 tbsp unsalted butter
- 1 tsp salt
- ½ tsp cream of tartar (or citric acid)
- 1 tbsp sodium citrate (helps with smooth melting)
- ½ cup heavy cream (for extra creaminess)
Instructions
Prepare the Cheese Base
- Grate the white cheddar cheese or Colby cheese and set it aside.
- In a saucepan, heat whole milk and butter over low heat, stirring occasionally.
2. Dissolve the Emulsifiers
- Add sodium citrate and cream of tartar into the warm milk. Stir until fully dissolved. This helps create a smooth and melty cheese texture.
3. Melt the Cheese
- Slowly add the grated cheese, one handful at a time, stirring continuously.
- Keep stirring over low heat until the cheese is completely melted and smooth.
4. Adjust the Texture
- Stir in the heavy cream to get that creamy, stretchy consistency.
- Add salt to taste. If you want a softer texture, add a little more milk.
5. Pour & Set
- Transfer the melted cheese mixture into a lined loaf pan or mold.
- Let it cool at room temperature for 10 minutes, then refrigerate for at least 4 hours to firm up.
6. Slice & Enjoy!
- Once fully set, slice or shred as needed. Use for burgers, grilled cheese, or melt it into dips!
Notes
✔ For extra creaminess, add more heavy cream while melting.
✔ Sodium citrate is the secret ingredient that prevents clumping—don’t skip it!
✔ Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Cheese, Homemade
- Method: Stove-top cooking, Refrigeration
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ounce
- Calories: 100
- Sugar: 1g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 1g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
Keywords: homemade white American cheese, creamy cheese, melted cheese