The Best Substitutes for Heavy Cream (2024)

FAQs

The Best Substitutes for Heavy Cream? ›

You can substitute heavy cream for milk by diluting it with a little water. Use half a cup heavy cream and half a cup water for every cup of whole milk.

You can substitute heavy cream for milk by diluting it with a little water. Use half a cup heavy cream and half a cup water for every cup of whole milk.

A common and affordable substitute for heavy whipping cream in cooking and baking is whole milk. Whole milk has a lower fat content than heavy cream, but it can work well in many recipes. For a closer match in richness, you can also add a small amount of melted butter to the whole milk.

To make homemade heavy whipping cream, melt 1/3 cup of unsalted butter. Let it cool slightly, then blend it with 2/3 cup of whole milk on high for 1-2 minutes until well combined. Refrigerate the mixture for 30 minutes before using. This creates a substitute with a similar fat content to heavy whipping cream.

Substitutes for Heavy Cream

Heavy cream's closest dairy equivalent is whipping cream, followed by half-and-half, both of which have similar creaminess and flavor but with fewer calories and lower fat content.

Finally, organic, grass-fed heavy cream is a better choice, as grass-fed dairy products are higher in nutrients such as healthy fats and antioxidants than conventional dairy products (37, 38 , 39 ). Overall, if you can tolerate dairy and you use heavy whipping cream in small amounts, it can be part of a healthy diet.

Sour cream is an easy replacement for heavy cream. It can be easily stirred into a dish and offers another flavor profile to soups, stews and sauces. Plus, using it as a heavy cream substitute is a great way to use up that lingering tub in the fridge.

Evaporated milk is an ideal heavy cream substitute in recipes that use heavy cream as a liquid. It won't whip well, but it's a great way to add moisture to baked goods. Substitute an equal amount of evaporated milk for heavy cream. Best for: baking.

What do vegans use for heavy cream? ›

Vegan Heavy Cream Frequently Asked Questions

Fortunately, nearly any plant-based milk can be made into a heavy cream substitute. Nut milks, including hemp milk, oat milk, coconut milk and soy milk can all be used as the base for a heavy cream substitute with the addition of the right fats.

Use two tablespoons flour mixed with ¼ cup cold water for each cup of medium-thick sauce. Thoroughly mix in the water to prevent lumps. After stirring the combined flour and water into the sauce, cook and stir over medium heat until thickened and bubbly. Heat one minute more to cook the flour thoroughly.

A nondairy milk (such as soy or almond) and a neutral oil (like vegetable or canola) can replicate heavy cream in certain recipes—namely, sauces and soups, but also some baked goods.

Evaporated milk, with its lower fat content and thinner consistency, provides a lighter alternative for dishes where richness is desired without overwhelming heaviness. Heavy cream, with its higher fat content and creamy consistency, lends itself perfectly to indulgent desserts, creamy sauces, and decadent soups.

Condensed milk is evaporated milk that has been sweetened with sugar. Evaporated milk can be used in place of heavy cream in most recipes, whereas condensed milk is best reserved for desserts. Some health food stores may sell evaporated coconut milk, which is also a good substitute.