Thick, luxurious, and incredibly versatile, heavy cream is used in a wide range of sweet and savory dishes.
In fact, many would argue it’s a staple ingredient.
Whether it’s added to your morning coffee, poured over your dessert, or made into delicious ice cream, heavy cream is an ingredient used by most of us at some point.
However, what are we supposed to do if we want to cut back on the fat content?
Alternatively, what if a recipe calls for heavy cream and we don’t have any left?
The answer is a heavy cream substitute, of which there are many.
An excellent heavy cream substitute like whipping cream or Greek yogurt can solve your problem in a pinch.
They can help you cut back on calories and help you make your recipe without any issues.
Today, we’re going to show you 13 heavy cream substitutes (see also ‘What Can I Use Instead Of Table Cream? – 5 Great Alternatives‘) that you need to know.
If you’re in need of a quick fix, be sure to stick around!
1. Half-And-Half And Butter
The first substitute on our list is arguably the best heavy cream substitute you can use.
Made easily, in very little time, you can use ingredients that already contain cream to create something very similar.
Aside from being quick and easy to make, this substitute is a much healthier alternative.
It is much lower in fat. Despite the lower fat content, this substitute still tastes delicious.
While it won’t be as stable, you can even use this recipe to produce a tasty whipped cream.
Once made, we recommend using this heavy cream substitute in soups or sauces.
2. Cashew Cream
If you’re looking for a super healthy or vegan-friendly heavy cream substitute to use in various dishes including homemade sour cream cake ideas, this cashew cream recipe could be ideal.
A good substitute for sour cream too, cashew cream is creamy, fresh, tangy, and bright.
On top of that, you only need 6 ingredients to make it.
100% plant-based, this is a cream that will impress your guests.
Its versatility allows you to use it in a wide range of dishes too.
From desserts and appetizers to pizzas and baked potatoes, this cream’s uses are virtually endless.
3. Heavy Cream Powder
The next substitute on our list is absolutely perfect for those of you that find yourself pushed for time.
If you’re looking for something you can keep in the pantry in the event of a heavy cream dilemma, a heavy cream powder is your best option.
Serving its purpose perfectly, a heavy cream powder offers that rich, creamy flavor and texture we all look for from heavy cream in a fraction of the time it takes to make a fresh substitute.
Heavy cream powders such as Anthony’s Heavy Cream Powder are free from additives and fillers, and also suit a keto diet as they are low in carbs.
4. Butter And Milk
Made in just 10 minutes, this butter and milk heavy cream substitute is a great option if you want to make a heavy cream in a pinch without using a heavy cream powder.
The best thing about this substitute is how many ingredients you need to make it.
All you need is butter and whole milk to create a cream-like substance that can be used exactly how you would normally use heavy cream.
The texture might not be as thick as heavy cream, but it won’t be far off. After all, butter contains cream.
The recipe we’ve attached also shows you how to make whipped cream by adding sugar to the recipe.
5. Evaporated Milk
Those of you looking for a substitute that offers more thickness and strength should consider using evaporated milk.
By using evaporated milk, you can make a more stable whipped cream version of heavy cream that can be used as a dessert topping or beverage topping.
Quick and easy to make, this Southern Plate evaporated milk heavy cream recipe results in a fluffy, sweet, and soft cream that looks awesome and tastes even better.
All you need to make the cream is the evaporated milk, vanilla extract, and confectioner’s sugar.
Once you have those ingredients and a mixer, you will be able to make the substitute in just 5 minutes.
6. Coconut Cream/Coconut Milk
We love using coconut milk or coconut cream as a heavy cream substitute.
A fantastic vegan option and a substitute that imparts a unique flavor, this is a great option for anyone looking for something a little different.
Admittedly, this isn’t the best substitute for someone looking for a more traditional heavy cream.
Instead, it suits those looking for a more tropical, unique flavor.
Easily made by separating the liquids and whipping the creamy part of each ingredient into a cream, this is definitely a substitute we think you should try.
7. Greek Yogurt And Milk
Greek yogurt (see also ‘9 Substitutes For Greek Yogurt‘) is super versatile in the respect it can be used as an alternative for a wide range of creamy dairy products.
When thinned out using whole milk, it makes a fabulous heavy cream substitute.
The whole milk is used to thin the greek yogurt as it is too thick without it.
The milk gives the yogurt a much more enjoyable texture and one that doesn’t over-face you.
Perfect for soups, sauces, dips, and smoothies, the yogurt does come with a tang so consider that when substituting it for heavy cream.
8. Milk And Cottage Cheese
The next heavy cream substitute on our list is one of the healthiest you can make.
Still offering plenty of creaminess and texture, the combination of powdered skim milk and cottage cheese is both delicious and nutritious.
Low in carbs and fat, yet high in protein and calcium, you can easily make this substitute by pureeing the two ingredients in a blender for 5 minutes.
If the consistency isn’t quite where you’d like it, add a small amount of milk.
This substitute works well in baked dishes, sauces, and soups.
9. Milk And Cornstarch
Cornstarch is an excellent thickening agent that can be used to easily give the milk a heavy cream consistency.
To make this heavy cream substitute, simply whisk 2 tablespoons of cornstarch into 1 cup of milk.
Whisk the mixture until the ingredients are well combined, smooth, and thick.
We recommend using this substitute in recipes that don’t require a high-fat content.
We find that it works best in sauces, frostings, custards, and puddings.
10. Silken Tofu And Soy Milk
All you need to make this brilliant heavy cream substitute is 4 ingredients.
The most important of those ingredients are soy milk and silken tofu.
This substitute is a fantastic option if you’re looking for a more neutral flavored heavy cream.
It’s also one of the best options you have if you’re following a plant-based diet.
Unlike other substitutes on our list, this one won’t impart any flavor to your dish. Instead, this substitute will provide that awesome texture we all love.
11. Sour Cream
Sour cream is so easy to use as a substitute for heavy cream that you don’t even need a recipe to help you do it.
Whilst the flavor might be slightly different from normal, the color and texture will be almost the same.
In terms of flavor, the sour cream will give your recipe a slight tang.
This along with the thickness and creaminess of the substitute makes it a wonderful choice.
All you need to do to substitute sour cream for heavy cream is use an equal amount of sour cream for heavy cream.
For example, use 1 cup of sour cream in place of 1 cup of heavy cream.
The substitute goes best in soups, mashed potatoes, and frostings.
12. Cream Cheese
Another great substitute that you don’t need a recipe for is cream cheese.
If you love the silky, thick texture and creamy finish that heavy cream offers, cream cheese could be the best substitute for you.
Perfect in sauces, frostings, and soups, this creamy alternative looks great, tastes even better, and provides a more unique tangy flavor that most heavy creams don’t offer.
We’ve even used cream cheese to make a scrumptious mac and cheese.
To substitute cream cheese for heavy cream, use 1 cup of cream cheese for every 1 cup of heavy cream your recipe calls for.
13. Vegan Butter And Plant-Based Milk
The final heavy cream substitute on our list is absolutely perfect for those of you that follow a vegan diet.
Giving you the chance to enjoy heavy cream without the need for dairy products, this heavy cream recipe is thick, fresh, bright, and most importantly delicious.
Great for a wide range of sweet and savory dishes, this recipe only takes 10 minutes to make and only calls for two ingredients.
As far as vegan-friendly alternatives go, this one is right up there with the very best.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Heavy Cream?
To put it simply, heavy cream is a cream with no less than 36% milk fat.
It is also known as whipping cream, but whipping cream tends to contain a lower percentage of fat.
Are Double And Heavy Cream The Same Thing?
Double cream is the name given to the heavy cream used in the United Kingdom.
While they are essentially the same thing, double cream is usually a lot thicker.
How Do You Make Heavy Cream?
Heavy cream can be easily made by mixing ⅓ cup of butter with ⅔ cup of whole milk. That’s just how simple it is to make.
Final Thoughts
There you have it, 13 awesome heavy cream substitutes that you can make in a pinch.
No matter what you’re looking to make a heavy cream for or how you plan on using it, there’s a heavy cream substitute on our list that will work for you.
In this post, we’ve shown you substitutes that closely resemble heavy cream, substitutes that offer something completely different, and substitutes that suit a vegan or keto diet.
All you have to do now is decide which substitute you want to use.
We’re sure you’ll be satisfied no matter which substitute you choose.
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