Rich and decadent heavy cream is a key ingredient in many recipes. But what do you do when you have insufficient heavy cream left in the fridge? Go for its substitutes!
Some of the best heavy cream substitutes are heavy cream powder, milk and butter, half and half, evaporated milk, Greek yogurt, cream cheese, and more.
Heavy cream is the fat collected on the top of the milk. Thus, many dairy items provide the same texture and flavor as heavy cream, and you don’t have to cancel out on making a recipe you were planning to in its absence.
So, come, let’s check out all the options you can use when you run out of heavy cream, including some vegan options.
11 Best Substitutes For Heavy Cream
Here is a list of heavy cream substitutes you can look at.
1. Half-and-Half
Like heavy cream, half-and-half is a kitchen staple most of us have. If you do, the good news is that you already have a substitute for heavy cream.
Half-and-half is literally half heavy cream and half whole milk. This makes it a great substitute for heavy cream. However, you should remember that while it adds creaminess to your dishes, it won’t be as rich because of its low-fat content.
You can use half-and-half in soups, sauces, and other recipes in the same amount as you would use heavy cream.
2. Heavy Cream Powder
Investing in heavy cream powder is a good idea if you want to make sure you have heavy cream available all the time. Heavy cream powder provides the same richness to your recipes as heavy cream.
It can be added to a whole variety of recipes, including baked goods. Mix the powder with water in a 1:1 ratio to make heavy cream with heavy cream powder.
3. Light Cream
Light cream contains less than 30 percent milk fat. But it can be used as a substitute for heavy cream in coffee and soups.
You can use the same quantity of light cream as you would use heavy cream, but the results will be lighter.
4. Cream Cheese
Cream cheese is one of the best substitutes for heavy cream. It can be used as a replacement for heavy cream in cheese sauces, creamy soups, and frostings.
However, it should be noted that cream cheese cannot be whipped. Thus, you cannot use it in recipes that require whipping.
So, if you have cream cheese stocked in your refrigerator, you can use it as a one-to-one substitute for heavy cream in soups, sauces, and any other recipes with a liquid base.
5. Mascarpone
Mascarpone cheese is a thick dairy product that is similar to cream cheese. It makes for a good substitute for heavy cream as it goes well with both sweet and savory dishes and comes with a 44% fat content.
If you don’t have heavy cream at hand to complete your dish, you can use mascarpone cheese in its place in a one-to-one ratio. You can thin it out with some milk if you find it too thick.
6. Milk + Cornstarch
Do you need heavy cream to add body to a sauce or a stew? Take the help of the most common kitchen ingredients – milk and cornstarch. When combined, milk and cornstarch act as a thickening agent.
If your recipe calls for one cup of heavy cream, you can mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch into 1 cup of milk. Cornstarch requires heat to thicken. So, make a milk and cornstarch slurry and let it work its magic.
7. Milk + Butter
In case you are making a casserole, soup, or baked goods, you can use a combination of milk and butter in the absence of heavy cream.
Wondering how? Well, butter is saturated with fats. It works as a great substitute for heavy cream when combined with milk. It will add the same richness to your dish as heavy cream. You must melt 1/4 cup butter and whisk it in 3/4 cup whole milk until smooth.
8. Greek Yogurt
If you are making a dressing or sauce that calls for heavy cream, you can replace it with Greek yogurt. It will give your dish a bit of a tang and the thick texture it requires.
However, in the case of desserts that require heavy cream as a topping, you can sweeten it with sugar.
9. Coconut Cream
Coconut cream is a thick cream made from coconut milk. It is a great vegan substitute for heavy cream. However, it should be noted that although this cream works in place of heavy cream, it brings coconut flavor with it.
Thus, coconut cream as a substitute is a good option to be used in baked goods and desserts. You can use an equal amount of coconut cream for heavy cream.
10. Soy Milk
Another substitute for heavy creams is soy milk, which is a good option for vegans. Soy milk is made from soybeans. But to use it as a substitute for heavy cream, you have to combine two parts of soy milk with one part of olive oil.
This combination will give you a similar texture and richness to heavy cream that can be used for cooking or baking.
11. Alt Milk + Oil
Looking for more vegan options for heavy cream? Try combining alt milk with cooking oil. Are you wondering how this works? Oil adds fat to dairy-free milk and provides a similar texture as heavy cream.
Therefore, you can use ⅔ cup of milk and ⅓ cup of oil to make one cup of heavy cream. This substitute can be used in both cooking and baking recipes.
Short Recap For Best Whole Wheat Flour Substitutes
Let’s take a look at the short recap of heavy cream substitutes that we have discussed above. Here, I’ve listed each of the substitutes mentioned above according to their uses.
Best Heavy Cream Substitutes For Texture–
- Cream Cheese
- Mascarpone
- Heavy Cream Powder
Best Heavy Cream Substitutes As Per Availability-
- Milk + Cornstarch
- Milk + Butter
- Half-and-Half
- Greek Yogurt
Best Heavy Cream Substitutes For Vegans-
- Soy Milk
- Alt Milk + Oil
- Coconut Cream
How To Use Heavy Cream Substitutes In A Recipe
11 Best Heavy Cream Substitutes That You Should Try!
Ingredients
- Half-and-Half
- Cream Cheese
- Mascarpone
- Coconut Cream
- Soy Milk
- Light Cream
- Milk + Butter
- Milk + Cornstarch
- Alt Milk + Oil
- Greek Yogurt
- Heavy Cream Powder
Instructions
- Go through the substitutes and see which one seems fit for the recipe.
- Collect your ingredients and use your preferred substitute.
- Use the substitute in the required amount and make the dish according to the recipe.
Conclusion
Heavy cream is an ingredient that features in many recipes. But if you don’t have it at hand at the time of cooking, you can use many other ingredients as substitutes to achieve similar results.
Moreover, the good news is that some substitutes are also suitable for vegans. So, go ahead and try out these substitutes. Come back and share your feedback in the comments section below.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there any vegan substitutes for heavy cream?
Vegan substitutes for heavy cream include soy milk, coconut milk, and alt milk + oil.
Which is the best substitute for heavy cream?
Heavy cream powder and half-and-half are the best substitutes for heavy cream.
Can you replace heavy cream with milk?
Heavy cream can be replaced with milk mixed with cornstarch.
Can you substitute Greek yogurt for heavy cream?
Yes, Greek yogurt can be used in place of heavy cream.
