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Heavy cream alternatives for sweet, savory, and healthy dishes
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You’ve got all the ingredients you need for your recipe… except for heavy cream, that is. Don’t worry, though—you don’t have to make an extra trip to the store. At its core, heavy cream (also known as heavy whipping cream) is just a thicker dairy product made with milk fat that’s easy to replicate (or even replace) in your recipes. Read on for plenty of simple substitutions that can work for a variety of your cooking and baking needs.
Things You Should Know
- Replace 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream with 1 / 4 cup (57 g) of butter and a 3 ⁄ 4 c (180 mL) of whole milk in recipes that don’t involve whipped cream.
- Substitute heavy cream with half-and-half at a 1:1 ratio in your homemade ice cream.
- Switch out 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream with 1 ⁄ 2 c (120 mL) of both low-fat, unsalted cottage cheese and low-fat yogurt to give your dish a healthy touch.
- Create vegan-friendly recipes by subbing 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream with 1 cup of coconut cream or puréed tofu.
Steps
Heavy Cream Recipe
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhy does homemade heavy cream not whip?Community AnswerIn real heavy cream, the molecules are complex collections of fats, proteins and water. When whipped, these molecules begin to break down, allowing air bubbles to form. The "remains" of the molecules form the structure which gives whipped cream it's shape and solid appearance. These methods are mixing of a fat (like butter) with a liquid (like milk). Since they are two different ingredients, not one mass of molecules, they do not bind together to form the structure needed to sustain whipped cream.
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QuestionDo I have to boil the milk?Community AnswerNo. There is no need to do that.
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QuestionCan I use heavy cream in making ice cream?Community AnswerYes. 2 cups heavy whipping cream (whipped), one can of sweetened condensed milk, 1 tsp vanilla extract. Fold into cream. Freeze overnight.
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References
- ↑ https://www.thekitchn.com/heavy-cream-substitute-23004405
- ↑ https://www.food.com/recipe/heavy-cream-substitute-357873
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/heavy-cream-substitutes/
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/heavy-cream-substitutes/
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/heavy-cream-substitutes/
- ↑ https://www.imaginationstationtoledo.org/education-resources/diy-activities/homemade-ice-cream
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/heavy-cream-substitutes/
- ↑ https://thekitchencommunity.org/substitute-for-heavy-cream/
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cooking-basics/cream-substitutes/
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/heavy-cream-substitutes/
- ↑ https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/cooking-skills/cooking/smart-substitutions-to-eat-healthy
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cooking-basics/cream-substitutes/
- ↑ https://www.allrecipes.com/article/heavy-cream-substitutes/
- ↑ https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-eating/cooking-skills/cooking/smart-substitutions-to-eat-healthy
- ↑ https://thekitchencommunity.org/substitute-for-heavy-cream/
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/heavy-cream-substitute
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cooking-basics/cream-substitutes/
- ↑ https://www.epicurious.com/expert-advice/heavy-cream-substitute
- ↑ https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cooking-basics/cream-substitutes/
About This Article
Article Summary
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To make 1 cup (240 mL) of heavy cream, first place 1/3 cup (75 g) of unsalted butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave the butter on high for 10 seconds at a time until it's fully melted. Then, take the butter out of the microwave and let it cool for 1-2 minutes. Finally, pour 2/3 cup (160 mL) of whole milk into the melted butter and whisk the ingredients together for 1 minute. You now have heavy cream. Store your homemade heavy cream in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Re-mix the cream when you take it out of the fridge before using it. For variations on this recipe that you can try, read on!
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Reader Success Stories
- "I forgot to buy the heavy cream to make the parfaits for my guests this weekend; however, after reading your article, I learned that I will be able to utilize other ingredients in my refrigerator, such as 2% milk, butter and/or greek yogurt! Wonderful!" ..." more
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"I forgot to buy the heavy cream to make the parfaits for my guests this weekend; however, after reading your article, I learned that I will be able to utilize other ingredients in my refrigerator, such as 2% milk, butter and/or greek yogurt! Wonderful!"
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"I tried the evaporated milk recipe. I cooked some flour with the milk and did it in the microwave. Added vanilla and almond extract and powdered sugar to make cannoli cream and added my ricotta cheese for the rest of the cannoli recipe."
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"The different options of ingredients was most helpful to me. If I'm out of one thing, I can use another. Very helpful. Gives me ideas on what else I might use."
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"I love this. I am a mum, and I love cooking. No more buying expensive cream, my kids think it's more delicious than the cream in the shops. Thank you!"
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"I love to cook things and bake cakes and explore many ingredients. I would like to thank my recipe writers for teaching me."
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