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Heavy cream is a crucial ingredient in many recipes, but you may find yourself in need of a heavy cream substitute for a number of reasons. Maybe you forgot to buy some, or you don’t eat dairy, or you’re having a dessert emergency (hey, we’ve all been there). The good news is that there are various alternatives to heavy cream that will provide a similar texture and flavor, including both vegan and dairy-free options, so you don’t need to head out to the grocery store just yet.
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Heavy cream is the fat that collects on top of fresh milk if it hasn’t been homogenized or blended. According to FDA standards, heavy cream must contain between 36% and 40% fat—one of the highest percentages of any dairy product. While it’s sometimes called whipping cream or heavy whipping cream, these commercial products are distinct: Products labeled “whipping cream” may have a fat content as low as 30% and often contain stabilizers that help the liquid remain aerated when beaten. For most cooking purposes, however, the three items are interchangeable. Similarly, light cream, which has a fat content of around 20%, can be used in place of heavy cream for most cooking and baking projects, though you may find the results lacking somewhat in texture and moisture.
One of the most popular uses for heavy cream is making homemade whipped cream, as the fat content allows the cream to whip up into a light, fluffy topping that holds its shape extremely well. Light cream and whipping cream (the latter, perhaps, surprisingly) don’t whip up as quickly or as voluminously. Beyond dessert toppings, heavy cream may be used to add moisture and tenderness to baked goods, lend a velvety consistency to mashed potatoes, bring richness to soups and sauces, and imbue ice cream with its signature creamy texture.
Regardless of what you’re making, the following are the best heavy cream substitutes for cooking, baking, or whipping into dessert.
Similarly to half-and-half, milk makes a good heavy cream substitute when it’s combined with melted butter. Combine 3/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup melted butter for every cup of heavy cream.
Greek yogurt + milk
You can add extra protein to a recipe by using Greek yogurt as a stand-in for heavy cream. It’s often a bit too thick on its own, so for best results, try mixing equal parts whole milk and plain Greek yogurt to add to sauces and soups. While this combination works well to add creaminess to soups and sauces, it’s not a great substitute for baking or whipping. That said, you could whisk a little sugar and a few splashes of milk into Greek yogurt to make a sweet and tangy dessert topping to pair with fruit or dollop over cake.
Half-and-half + butter
Because heavy cream is so high in fat, you can often create a substitute with other high-fat ingredients. In terms of taste and consistency, a combination of half-and-half and butter is one of the best substitutes for heavy whipping cream—it tastes just like the real thing. As its name suggests, half-and-half is made up of half whole milk and half cream, and its fat content is typically between 10.5% and 18%. By adding melted butter, which is around 80% fat, to the liquid, you can increase that fat content.
For this substitution, you’ll want to combine ¾ cup of half-and-half with ¼ cup melted unsalted butter—this will replace 1 cup of heavy cream. The substitute will work well in both cooking and baking, but it’s not the best option for whipping. If you’re willing to forgo a little richness, you could use all half-and-half as a 1-to-1 substitution and skip the butter entirely.
The 10 Best Substitutes for Heavy Cream | Healthline
FAQ
What is the same as heavy cream?
Can you sub sour cream for heavy cream?
Is it OK to substitute heavy cream for milk?
What is a good substitute for heavy cream?
Coconut cream makes a great heavy cream substitute for two reasons: it’s non-dairy, bypassing any issues for people with dairy sensitivities or special diets, and it can actually be whipped. Since coconut milk is naturally sweet, it adds a nice flavor and works well in desserts. Best for: desserts, whipping. 5. Cream Cheese
What can be used as a substitute for sour cream in baking?
Good substitutes for sour cream in baking are: Greek yogurt, cottage cheese, buttermilk, coconut milk (the cream on top of full-fat coconut milk can be skimmed off and blended with apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and sea salt to be used as a plant-based sour cream), cashews (blending soaked cashews with vinegar, lemon juice, and sea salt), commercial soy-based sour cream.
Is cream cheese a good substitute for heavy cream?
Cream cheese is a type of fresh cheese made from milk and cream. Though it’s most often used as a spread for bagels and a star ingredient in cheesecakes, it can also make a good substitute for heavy cream in some recipes. In particular, cream cheese makes a good substitute in frostings and can help thicken cream-based soups and sauces.
What is a vegan heavy cream substitute?
For a vegan heavy cream substitute, consider using coconut cream. You can often spot coconut cream, which is thicker and higher in fat than coconut milk, on store shelves right alongside its kin.