American Cheese

America's Test Kitchen

hIngredients

• • 1 tablespoon water

  • 1½ teaspoons powdered gelatin

  • 12 ounces Colby cheese, shredded

  • 1 tablespoon whole milk powder

  • 1 teaspoon salt

  • ⅛ teaspoon cream of tartar

  • ½ cup plus 2 tablespoons whole milk

Method

• 1. Line 5-by 4-inch disposable aluminum loaf pan with plastic wrap, allowing excess to hang over sides.

  2. Place water in small bowl, sprinkle gelatin over top, and let mixture sit for 5 minutes.

  3. Pulse cheese, milk powder, salt, and cream of tartar in food processor until combined, about 3 pulses.

  4. Meanwhile, bring milk to boil in small saucepan.

  5. Off heat, stir in softened gelatin until dissolved, and transfer mixture to 1-cup liquid measuring cup.

  6. With processor running, slowly add hot milk mixture to cheese mixture until smooth, about 1 minute, scraping down bowl as needed.

  7. Immediately transfer cheese mixture to prepared pan, pressing to compact.

  8. Wrap tightly and chill at least 3 hours, or overnight.