Substitute For Heavy Cream? 8 Best Heavy Whipping Cream Substitutes

Looking for a heavy cream substitute? Heavy cream is one of the principal ingredients for most of the delicious dishes. Due to its high-fat content, most people would like to know is there any substitute for heavy cream. If you find yourself out of heavy cream and need for a healthy heavy cream substitute, then try the below substitutes to get thickened cream substitute.

To make a substitute for heavy cream, no need to buy any ingredients from the store, you can easily make a heavy cream substitute by using your kitchen ingredients. But ensure that your substitute must have the same taste and healthier than heavy whipping cream. You may also try some other combinations to enhance the taste of your heavy cream alternative.

What is Heavy Cream?

Heavy cream is also called as Heavy Whipping Cream, is high in fat, calories and saturated fat. Heavy cream is a whipping cream with a milk fat content of between 36 and 40 percent.

By using healthy substitutes for heavy whipping cream, you can avoid those fats. At the same time, no compromise in the taste while preparing alternatives. You can use this substitute for heavy cream in pasta sauce, frosting, etc.

Whipping Cream vs Heavy Cream

The basic difference between whipping cream and heavy cream is the milk fat content. As I said earlier, the heavy cream has the fat content of between 36-40 percent. The whipping cream is a bit lighter with 30 percent milk fat (source).

Heavy cream will whip better than the whipping cream. So it holds its shape stable and longer.

Due to high-fat content, heavy cream adds more flavor to the dishes when compared to whipping cream.

Heavy Cream vs Heavy Whipping Cream

People often confused between these two terms and look for Heavy cream vs Heavy whipping cream (Ref). Both are the same thing with different names.

Substitute For Heavy Cream

The substitutes for heavy cream may differ based on what you intend to use them for. Here is the complete list of best and healthy substitutes for heavy cream.

Note: If you like to store the heavy cream substitute for a longer time in a fridge, use the ultra-pasteurized milk. So that, the heavy cream substitute lasts longer than other alternatives.

1. Milk and Butter – Substitute for Heavy Cream

Milk and Butter are my favorite alternative of all time. This heavy cream substitute works well for cooking and baking purposes. This is the most common and widely used substitute for heavy whipping cream. For a whipped cream substitute, simply melt a third of a cup of unsalted butter and whisk in three-quarters of a cup of milk.

Ingredients

• ¾ cup Milk
• ¼ cup unsalted butter or margarine.

Directions

Combine these two ingredients as per the below directions to make a heavy cream substitute.

• Gently melt the butter and make it cool.
• Add the melted butter to the milk.
• Blend it well.
• Replace one cup of heavy cream with this milk and butter substitute.

Note: The above substitute will be a bit thinner due to low-fat content. Add 2 teaspoons of corn flour to make the cream thicker. (optional)

2. Half and Half Cream

If you are in dilemma about the best substitute for heavy whipping cream? The answer is half and half cream. In the United Kingdom, most people call this half and half cream as half cream.

Half and half is a combination of equal parts whole milk and light cream. It has lower fat content than heavy cream. It consists of an only 10-12 percentage of fat. It is also known as half milk and widely available at all stores.

Ingredients

• 7/8 cup half and half
• 1/8 cup of butter

Directions

To substitute for one cup of heavy cream, just combine both the above ingredients.

• Gradually melt the butter and make it cool.
• Add the melted butter to the half and half.
• Blend it and use in the place of heavy whipping cream.

3. Tofu and Soy Milk

Tofu is also called as bean curd. It is a staple ingredient to add flavor in most of the delicious dishes. It is high in protein and iron content.

The fat less tofu and soymilk should be combined in an equal proportion to make a heavy cream substitute.

Ingredients

• ½ cup Tofu
• ½ cup soy milk

Directions

• Take a ½ cup of tofu in a bowl.
• Add ½ cup of soy milk in it.
• Slowly simmer on low heat.

That’s all a fatless alternative for a heavy cream is ready!

Note: Don’t heat this mixture at extreme heat, then it will start curdling.

4. Skim Milk and Corn Flour – Heavy Cream Substitute 

Are you wonder about this alternative? Yes, Skim milk can be used as a healthy substitute for heavy cream. Most people have the habit of drinking skim milk daily. Skim milk is fat-free and is the best substitute for heavy whipping cream.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of Milk
• Corn flour

Directions

• Take a cup of milk in a bowl.
• Add 2 tablespoons of corn flour in it.
• Blend it for 3 minutes to get the desired thickness.

Now use this skim milk and corn flour mixture as a replacement for a cup of heavy cream.

5. Greek Yogurt with Whole Milk

Usually, Greek yogurt is much thicker than the regular yogurt. So, Greek yogurt is also a good substitute for heavy whipping cream when you like to add some thickness.

Ingredients

• ½ cup whole milk
• ½ cup Greek yogurt

Directions

• Take ½ cup of Greek yogurt in a bowl.
• Add ½ cup of whole milk in it.
• Blend it well.

Now the healthy heavy cream substitute is ready to use.

6. Evaporated Milk and Vanilla 

Can evaporated milk be substituted for Heavy cream?Evaporated Milk, also known as unsweetened condensed milk is a good heavy whipping cream substitute for sauces, cakes, ice creams, and soups. Also, this low-fat heavy cream substitute is good for toppings. heavy cream substitute evaporated milk.

Ingredients

• 1 cup of evaporated milk
• Vanilla extract

Directions

• Chill the evaporated milk in the refrigerator.
• Add vanilla extract to taste.
• Stir it well and replace it with a cup of heavy cream.

7. Cottage Cheese and Milk

Are Cottage Cheese and Milk combo is a better alternative to heavy cream? Yes, the above combo is a good substitute for heavy whipping cream.

Ingredients

• ½ cup Cottage Cheese
• ½ cup whole milk (or) skim milk

Directions

• Combine both the cottage cheese and whole milk in a bowl.
• Blend it until no lumps in the mixture.
• That’s all, now use this substitute for heavy cream in your dishes to enhance the taste.

8. Cream Cheese

Are you having a question, what to use instead of heavy cream? Low fat cream cheese is a great substitute for heavy cream. You can use this substitute for soups and sauces. Moreover, this is a very healthy replacement for heavy cream.

Ingredients

• ½ cup cream cheese
• Any sweetening agent to taste

Directions

• Take a ½ cup of low-fat cream cheese.
• Blend it for few minutes.
• Cream cheese tastes a little bit sour. So add a sweetening agent to reduce the sour taste.

FAQs           

1. Heavy Cream vs Half and Half 

Half and half is a whipping cream with a combination of equal parts whole milk and light cream. It has lower fat content than heavy cream. It consists of an only 10-12 percentage of fat.

But Heavy cream is a whipping cream with a milk fat content of between 36 and 40 percent.

2. How to make heavy whipping cream?

Making homemade heavy cream is an easy process.

Take 1/3 cup of melted butter. Add 3/4 cup of milk it and blend them together to make a heavy whipping cream or heavy cream.

3. What to use instead of heavy cream?

You can use anyone of the above substitutes for heavy cream.

4. What can you substitute for heavy cream?

You can choose any one of the above alternatives as per your requirements.

5. Is half and half a heavy cream?

No, half and a half and heavy cream are not the same. They differ in their milk fat content.

Half and half consists of 10-12 percentage of fat and heavy whipping cream consist of 36-40 percentage of fat.

6. What are the best substitute for half and half cream?

You can use anyone of the below substitutes for half and half cream. Blend both the ingredients and make the home made half and half substitute.

• Substitute 1: Mix 1/2 cup whole milk with 1/2 cup light cream.
• Substitute 2: Mix 3/4 cup whole milk with 1/4 cup heavy cream.
• Substitute 3: Mix 2/3 cup skim or low-fat milk with 1/3 cup heavy cream.
• Substitute 4: 4 teaspoons melted unsalted butter with a cup of whole milk.

7. What can I substitute for milk while preparing the substitute for heavy cream?

You can use Soy Milk, Flavoured Milk, Skim Milk, Condensed milk, and low-fat milk.

8. Is heavy cream and heavy whipping cream the same?

Yes. People often confused between these two terms and look for Heavy cream vs Heavy whipping cream. Both are the same thing with different names.

9. What can you substitute for heavy cream?

I already covered all the possible heavy whipping cream substitutes in the top of this article. Try those healthy alternatives instead of heavy cream.

10. Can you substitute half and half for heavy cream?

Yes, half and half has low milk fat. So it is a good substitute for heavy cream.

11. Is half and half the same as heavy cream?

As I said earlier, both are not same. Both differ in their percentage of fat content. Heavy cream has more fat content than half and half cream.

12. How long does it take to whip cream?

Hardly, it takes 6-8 minutes.

13. How to make whipped cream without heavy cream?

Whipping cream consists of 30 percentage of fat. So in order to make a whipped cream, heavy cream is not necessary.

14. How to make thickened whipped cream?

Pour the heavy cream, sugar and vanilla extract into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. 2. Turn the mixer to medium speed and whip. The cream will start to get frothy, and then will begin to thicken (around the 2-3 minute mark)

15. How to Make Stabilized Whipped Cream

Have you ever wondered how professional bakeries get that amazing, perfectly shaped whipped cream on their fancy desserts? This is due to stabilized whipped cream. Check here to make it stabilized.

If you need heavy cream substitutes, use the above-said alternatives.

In a Nutshell,

Are you looking for a heavy cream substitute? Heavy cream is one of the key ingredients for most of the delicious dishes. Due to its high-fat content, most people would like to know is there any substitute for heavy cream? If you find yourself out of heavy cream and need for a healthy heavy cream substitute, then try the above substitutes. Here is the Global Heavy Cream  Market Research Report 2017.

To make a substitute for heavy cream, no need to buy any ingredients from the market. You can easily make a heavy cream substitute with the help of your kitchen ingredients. But make sure that your heavy cream substitute must have the same taste and healthier than heavy whipping cream. You may also try some other combinations to enhance the taste of your homemade heavy cream alternative.