Heavy Cream Substitute (2024)

If you're in the middle of a recipe and you need the best heavy cream substitute, you've come to the right place. This is the ultimate guide for the most effective ways to replace heavy cream without sacrificing all of the creamy goodness that it adds.

What is heavy cream?

Heavy cream is an important ingredient in many soups, sauces, beverages, and baking recipes. Because of its higher fat content, heavy cream is a way to add creaminess and decadent flavor to your recipes. It also serves as a base for whipped cream.

What is heavy cream used for?

Heavy cream is a popular dairy ingredient in desserts that have a rich and creamy texture. Cooks use it to make cakes as well as ice cream, custard, whipped cream, and mousse. Heavy cream also plays an important role in savory dishes, where it delightfully enriches soups and pasta sauces.

What is the difference between heavy cream vs whipping cream?

There is no difference between heavy cream and heavy whipping cream. Heavy cream is required to contain at least 36% milk fat in order to be categorized as such. This product is sold under both names. However, whipping cream, also known as light whipping cream, contains a lower milk fat content, at around 30%.

What is the difference between heavy cream vs double cream?

Double cream is much richer than heavy cream, with about 48% milk fat content. Heavy cream can replace double cream, but the result will be thinner and less flavorful. To add to the confusion, in the UK heavy cream simply often just referred to as double cream with a fat content between 33-48%.

Considerations when replacing heavy cream

When choosing a replacement for heavy cream, one must consider the fat content as well as the flavor of the replacement. It's important to consider the recipe type, taste, and texture when choosing the best alternative. This guide is full of quick replacements to get your recipe back on track, even without the heavy cream.

What can I use instead of heavy cream?

Whether you avoid dairy, follow a vegan diet, or simply have run out of the ingredient, you might ask yourself what to substitute for cream. There are several alternatives, from half and half + butter to Greek yogurt + milk and even plant-based solutions like coconut cream. Finding an acceptable replacement for heavy cream is easier than you might think, and it could save you a trip to the grocery store.

Not every heavy cream substitute on this list is a good replacement for every type of recipe, so it's important to carefully consider the amount of heavy cream that you need to replace and how that may affect the taste and texture of your final dish. Generally, you have more options when it comes to replacing heavy cream in cooking recipes vs. in baking recipes but there are several alternatives that can be whipped up too.

Below you'll learn about all the great options and how to make heavy cream substitutes for a wide variety of cooking and baking recipes.

1. Half and Half and Butter

Does a half and-half substitute for heavy cream yield a similar result to the real thing? Mixing half and half with butter is one of the best heavy cream substitutes because it has the most similar flavor.

Half and half is made from a mixture of whole milk and cream that results in a rich liquid with a lower fat content than heavy cream alone. Adding butter increases the fat content, making this an adequate substitute for heavy cream in cakes, cookies, pies, and even savory recipes.

How to use it?

To use half and half and butter as a substitute for heavy cream, whisk together 2 tablespoons (that is ⅛ cup) of melted and cooled butter with ⅞ cup of half and half until it thickens. Then, use the mixture to replace 1 cup of heavy cream.

2. Milk and Butter

If you're wondering, can I use milk instead of heavy cream, the answer is yes. You can use milk mixed with melted butter for a heavy cream substitute. For the best results, use whole milk and unsalted European butter with 82% fat. This substitute will work well in cakes and savory sauces but is not ideal for ice cream, custard, or mousse.

How to use it?

To substitute heavy cream, whisk ¼ cup of melted and cooled butter with ¾ cup of whole milk. Use this mixture to replace 1 cup of heavy cream.

3. Evaporated milk

Evaporated milk is milk that has been heated in order to remove much of its water content. It can be used as a substitute for cream and gives dishes, including baked goods, soups, and sauces, a similar texture that cream would. Evaporated milk has a neutral taste which also makes it an excellent replacement in coffee and tea recipes that call for heavy cream. Check my evaporated milk article for more information.

How to use it?

To use evaporated milk in place of heavy cream, you can substitute it at a 1:1 ratio. The final result may not be quite as creamy, but it will still make for a rich-tasting addition that doesn't alter the flavor of your recipe.

4. Greek Yogurt and Milk

Plain Greek yogurt is low in fat but high in protein. When paired with milk, it can stand in for heavy cream in baked goods and brighten up very rich stews and sauces. Be sure not to use yogurt with added sugar or flavors, as those could greatly alter the final taste of your dish. Greek yogurt has a thicker consistency and tangier flavor than heavy cream, but it can be thinned and mellowed out by the addition of whole milk.

How to use it?

To use Greek yogurt and milk as a replacement for heavy cream, combine equal parts Greek yogurt and milk and whisk them together. For example, ½ cup of greek yogurt and ½ cup of whole milk, then you may use this as a replacement for 1 cup of heavy cream.

5. Coconut Cream

To make heavy cream substitute vegan, coconut cream is an easy replacement. This dairy-free alternative is a great option for those who are plant-based or do not consume dairy for health reasons. Coconut cream will add a light nutty flavor to your dish, so keep that in mind if you do not like the taste of coconut.

Coconut cream is also the best non-dairy choice for whipped cream. Other vegan heavy cream substitutes will not whip, but coconut cream can easily be whipped into a fluffy sweet topping.

How to use it?

To use coconut cream as a substitute for liquid heavy cream, replace it at a 1:1 ratio. Be sure to stir the contents of the can together thoroughly before pouring it into your measuring cup. The milk and fat tend to separate.

To use coconut cream as a whipped cream replacement, place an unopened can of full fat coconut cream, (not full fat coconut milk) into the refrigerator overnight. Without shaking the can much, open it to reveal a firm layer of coconut cream on top. Carefully skim the stable cream off the top and place it into a bowl to whip.

6. Cottage Cheese and Milk

Cottage cheese and milk works as a heavy cream replacement, particularly in savory dishes such as soups, stews, and sauces. For this substitute, you'll want to use a quality blender to fully puree the cottage cheese. Otherwise, your final product, which should be smooth, will end up with unsavory chunks.

How to use it?

Use cottage cheese and milk as a direct replacement for heavy cream at a 1:1 ratio. First, blend the cottage cheese until smooth. Add an equal amount of milk and continue blending until the mixture has an even consistency, similar to heavy cream.

7. Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is best used for thick and heavy sauces. Alternatively, it can be thinned out with milk, if needed, to stand in for cream in a baking recipe. Cream cheese has a sharper flavor than heavy cream and will add a distinct taste to your recipe. While some recipes, such as my tiramisu cupcakes, will benefit from this, it may not be a good fit for others.

How to use it?

Begin with softened cream cheese. You don't need to thin out cream cheese when used for thickening sauces, but if used in baking, you may need to add 1-4 tablespoons of milk for an ideal consistency. Cream cheese can be used to replace heavy cream at a 1:1 ratio.

8. Sour Cream

Sour cream works as an alternative to cream, similar to Greek yogurt. It has an acidic taste that can complement a range of sauces and add flavor to stews. In baking recipes, you can use sour cream to add moisture.

How to use it?

Replace heavy cream with sour cream at a 1:1 ratio. You likely won't need to add anything to sour cream in order to use it, but you should be mindful of how the tangy taste can affect very sweet recipes.

9. Mascarpone

Mascarpone, also considered to be like Italian cream cheese, has a fat content that, at about 44%, is actually closer to that of double cream than heavy cream. It has a slightly sweet flavor and a much thicker texture than cream, but you can thin it to the consistency of heavy cream by adding a little milk. Mascarpone does great for sweeter sauces, adding an extra touch of indulgence.

Mascarpone can also be whipped and sweetened to use as a dessert topping similar to whipped cream. Check my mascarpone frosting for more information.

How to use it?

Mascarpone can be used as a heavy cream substitute at a 1:1 ratio. If you're melting it into your recipe, mascarpone should be fine as is, but if using it cold, you may want to thin it out with a bit of milk. It can be stirred into creamy sauces. Mascarpone works great as a cake or cupcake frosting or a heavy cream substitute for soup.

10. Milk and Cornstarch

Cornstarch mixed with milk to makes a similar consistency to heavy cream. It can then be poured into recipes that rely on heavy cream for its thickness. The milk and cornstarch mixture is considered to be a healthy heavy cream substitute because it has much fewer calories and less fat than cream. It is best used in cooking recipes, like soups. If adding it to baking recipes, you should be mindful that corn starch is a thickener and may alter the texture of your baked goods.

How to use it?

Add two tablespoons of cornstarch to one cup of milk. Whisk until the cornstarch fully dissolves. Rest for a few minutes to allow the mixture to thicken before adding it to your recipe, then use the mixture to replace one cup of heavy cream.

11. Powdered Heavy Cream

Powdered heavy cream is a shelf-stable alternative to heavy cream. It's made of sweet cream solids, which form when heavy cream is dehydrated, leaving a fine powder. You can use this powdered heavy whipping cream substitute in everything from smoothies to thick sauces. It also is reconstituted as liquid heavy cream when added to water.

How to use it?

To use as a substitute for liquid heavy cream, add ½ cup of heavy cream powder to 1 cup of water to replace 1 cup of heavy cream.

12. Crème fraîche

Crème fraîche has a similar texture to sour cream and is actually also made from soured heavy cream. It is a great heavy cream substitute for pasta, and it also makes a healthy mascarpone cheese substitute.

How to use it?

You can substitute crème fraîche for heavy cream in cooking recipes, such as pasta sauces e.g. alfredo, at a 1:1 ratio. It has a tangy flavor, and although it is high in fat, creme fraiche does carry the risk of curdling when heated. Because of this, you should add it to your sauces at the end of cooking. If you do use it to replace heavy cream in a sweet recipe, be sure to add a sweetener in order to keep the flavor intent consistent.

13. Plant-based Milk and Olive Oil

Adding plant-based milk, like cashew milk, oat milk, or soy milk, to olive oil will give you a rich cream substitute for cooking and baking recipes, but it will not whip. This plant-based mixture is another great way to replace heavy whipping cream without sacrificing your vegan diet.

How to use it?

In order to substitute heavy cream with this plant-based alternative, you can combine the plant milk and olive oil at a 2:1 ratio. That means two parts of plant milk for every one part of olive oil. It's important to note that olive oil will alter the flavor of your recipe, so you may need to compensate for that with other ingredients.

14. Silken Tofu and Soy milk

Silken tofu is a soft tofu with a high water content and a custard-like texture. It is made from soy milk and can be blended into recipes like smoothies, desserts, and sauces. Silken tofu's creamy consistency makes it another suitable plant-based alternative for heavy cream.

How to use it?

Blend silken tofu with equal parts soy milk to make a vegan heavy cream substitute. This serves as a substitution for cream at a 1:1 ratio, and it can be flavored with extracts.

So what is the best heavy cream substitute?

Heavy cream is one of the essential ingredients in every home cook’s refrigerator. It gives your recipes rich flavor while providing an irresistibly creamy texture.

If you do find yourself out of the ingredient, you’ll find yourself asking what can I use in place of heavy cream. Several heavy cream substitutes will give you similar results with very little added effort.

If you have half and half and butter in your fridge, making a heavy cream substitute is a breeze. This combination is the best option for a creamy, high-fat mixture that will provide the best results for your recipes, whether sweet or savory.

However, if you're looking to make whipped cream out of your substitute for heavy whipping cream, coconut cream or mascarpone are the best options. They both whip up perfectly to make a creamy topping for your desserts. Coconut cream is also the best vegan way to replace heavy whipping cream.

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