Vegan Aged Camembert Cheese

Recipe

4.93 from 279 votes

The best vegan aged cheese. It tastes just like a real camembert and has a white and flowery rind!

Print Pin

Prep Time : 50

Aging Time : 14

Total Time : 14 50

Servings 3 Cheeses

Calories 98 kcal

Drain the cashews and place them in a large glass bowl. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Once boiling, pour the water directly onto the cashews. Let sit 1-2 minutes, and drain the cashews again. This step will help kill possible bacteria.
Place the cashews in the bowl of a blender or food processor. Add 8 tablespoons of filtered water. Blend on high speed, scraping down the sides from time to time, until you get a very smooth cream. This step might take about 10 minutes, depending on your blender.
Open the probiotic capsules and add the powder to the blender. Add the Penicillium Candidum, and blend on high speed for another 10-15 seconds.
The cashew cream should be smooth but quite thick. If needed, add 1 tablespoon of water at a time until smooth. Do not add too much water or your mixture will be too liquid.
Let it ferment: Transfer the cashew cream to a clean glass bowl, cover it with plastic film to touch, and let it sit at room temperature for 24-48 hours in a dark place. This step is important to let the cheese ferment and get a tangy flavor. Note: The cashew cream should have small bubbles and a fluffy texture. This means the fermentation process worked.
Transfer the cashew cream to the refrigerator and chill for at least 4 hours (or overnight). The cashew cream will firm up a bit and become easier to work with.

Line 3 4-inch springform pans with parchment paper. You want to cover the bottom and sides. Alternatively, you can also use plastic film if you prefer. The goal is to prevent the cheese from touching the metal. Fill each pan with the cashew cream and press it down using plastic film, so it doesn't stick to your hands. Refrigerate overnight.
The next day, carefully remove the cheeses from their springform pans and place them in a container lined with parchment paper.
Sprinkle about 1/4 tsp of salt over the top of the cheeses. Next, using a plate lined with parchment paper, very carefully flip the cheeses. Sprinkle the tops and sides with more salt. The cheeses will still be very soft, like cream cheese. Don't worry, they will be easier to work with after 3-4 days, as salt will remove some moisture.

Close the container and place it in your refrigerator (in the warmest area) or a room at a temperature of 52-56°F (11-13°C). Important note: You will age the cheeses at this temperature for the next two weeks. Do not store them at a temperature higher than 56°F (13°C). Also, the cheeses must stay in the closed container during the whole process, it will prevent them from drying.
Every day, carefully flip the cheeses. Always use clean hands or work with gloves (or plastic film) to make sure you are not touching the cheeses. If you see water or condensation in the container, remove it using a kitchen paper towel.
After 7 days, the cheeses will be a little bit firmer, and you should be able to place them on a plastic grid or chopsticks (that fits inside your container). This will allow airflow, and the mold will grow more uniformly.
Continue flipping the cheeses every day for the next 7 days. The mold will start to appear in the following days, if it hasn't appeared already.
After a total of 2 weeks, the cheeses should be completely covered with a white and fluffy mold. At this point, wrap the cheeses in parchment or cheese paper and place them in the refrigerator for at least 2 days. The longer you let them age in the refrigerator, the sharper they will become.
Enjoy this vegan camembert with french bread, fresh figs, and/or nuts!
Vegan camembert will keep for up to 1 month in the refrigerator.

Do not omit or substitute any ingredient. This recipe is not versatile. If you want to succeed with it, do not change the ingredients or method.

Use gloves. While not mandatory, I recommend using gloves while handling the cheeses. It will prevent bad bacteria from contaminating your cheeses.

Regarding the Penicillium Candidum: The links provided here for Penicillium Candidum may not redirect to a fully vegan product. If you want to find a 100% vegan one, you will have to do your own research (it's available in many cheese-making shops). Be aware that non-vegan ones are grown on lactose, meaning it contains *traces* of lactose. Considering the amount used, you could still consider your cheese 99,99% vegan. It’s up to you to choose which one fits your beliefs best.
Penicillium Candidum can be found in powdered and liquid forms. Both work the same. I usually use 1/8 tsp when in liquid or 1/16 tsp when in powder. If you do not own a 1/8 tsp, simply measure the powder using a fork or knife tip.

Regarding the Acidophilus: In this recipe, I used the Advanced Acidophilus Plus from Solgar, which contains 500M microorganisms per capsule. You can use a different brand, but you may have to use less if it contains more microorganisms. Alternatively, you can replace the acidophilus with 1/16 teaspoon of mesophilic, which is a culture made specifically for cheese making. It will yield a slightly less tangy and more buttery flavor.

Depending on the temperature in your fridge/aging room, the mold might take more or less time to develop. The colder the temperature, the longer it will take to develop.

Course : Appetizer, Cheese

Cuisine : French

Did you make this recipe? Tag @fullofplants on Instagram and hashtag it #fullofplants