Make Heavy Cream at Home

Many recipes call for heavy cream, but it’s not an ingredient that people often keep in the house. If you find yourself reaching for heavy cream and coming up empty-handed, then you know that kind of pain. But did you know you can make heavy cream at home?

You can! Well, it won’t be an exact copy of heavy cream, but you can make something that resembles heavy cream. And there are enough versions here that you’ll come up with something that will work for your recipe. And with the ingredients you might already have in your kitchen.

And bonus?? If you’re allergic to dairy or eat a vegan diet, there are also some options for you. I grouped all of those at the bottom so you can skip the ones that work for you.

If you enjoy this post, be sure to check out my “How To Make Buttermilk” post. There are lots of ideas for making buttermilk substitutions at home.

Why Do You Even Need Heavy Cream

Here are a few reasons you need heavy cream:

• It helps thicken soups; because of its higher fat content, it won’t curdle.
• It also helps thicken sauces.
• Heavy cream can be used to make whipped cream. Because of its higher fat content, it will whip up with firm peaks.
• Many ice cream recipes call for heavy cream. It makes ice cream creamier.
• Frosting recipes often require heavy cream as well.

13 Ways to Make Heavy Cream

It doesn’t matter if you are cooking, baking, or making ice cream; at least one of these heavy cream substitutes will do the trick.

One tip: Be ready to pick and choose the right one for your recipe. Some work best in soups, and some work best in baked goods.

 So, ready to make heavy cream?? Let’s go!

Milk and Butter

Melted together, milk and butter work well as a substitute in soups, baked goods, and casseroles. It’s not a great replacement when making whipped cream, though. Melt a quarter of a cup of butter and whisk in three-quarters of a cup of whole milk until smooth. This will replace one cup of heavy cream.

Half-and-Half

Half-and-half is half heavy cream and half whole milk. You won’t notice much of a difference in coffees, soups and sauces, but it’s not a good substitute for baked goods. They put the fat in heavy cream to add structure to the final product. Use the same amount of half-and-half as you would heavy cream.

Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk is shelf-stable and keeps well in the pantry. It has twice the fat of whole milk. It is great to use in soups and casseroles. Use the same amount of evaporated milk as you would heavy cream. Keep your pantry stocked with a few cans of evap milk, and you’ll be ready for any recipes that call for heavy cream.

Cream Cheese

Cream cheese works best in frostings, sauces, soups or dips. It does not work well in recipes that require whipping, but you can beat it with a little confectioner’s sugar to make a dessert topping. It just won’t be as light and airy as whipped heavy cream. One cup of cream cheese replaces one cup of heavy cream. You can thin it out with a little bit of water or milk, but you don’t have to. 

Sour Cream

Sour cream works best in savory recipes like chilis, soups, dressings, dips and sauces. It won’t work in recipes that require whipping. One cup of sour cream replaces one cup of heavy cream. This one has a tangy taste, which is why it works best in savory dishes.

“I favor a quick and easy method of skimming the cream off the top of fresh milk once it sits overnight in the fridge. All you need is a ladle or large spoon, depending on how much milk there is. Start by separating the cream into a clean glass container or bottle for storage if you don’t plan to use it right away. Keep scooping carefully until the milk peeks through. Watch out for the cream line, you’ll see the texture and color change when you reach the milk.”

— Jessica Haggard, Primal Edge Health

Whipped Dessert Topping

Whipped dessert topping can be used in icebox cakes, pies and other no-bake treats. For every cup of heavy cream called for in your recipe, substitute two cups of whipped dessert topping, such as Cool Whip. This product, even if it’s labeled dairy free is made with skim milk, so it’s not in the dairy free listing.

Greek Yogurt

Full-fat plain Greek yogurt can be used in mashed potatoes as well as creamy soups and sauces. Make sure to add it once off the heat to prevent curdling. It can be thinned with whole milk to more closely resemble the texture of heavy cream. One cup of Greek yogurt replaces one cup of heavy cream.

Heavy Cream Powder

Heavy cream powder is a shelf-stable option that can be stored in the pantry. Once reconstituted with water, it can be used in baked goods, soups, sauces and smoothies. One cup of heavy cream powder replaces one cup of heavy cream. 

Mascarpone

Mascarpone cheese is thick, and its texture closely resembles that of heavy cream. It can be used in sauces, soups, stews and baked goods. To thin it out, add a little bit of whole milk. One cup of mascarpone replaces one cup of heavy cream. 

Light cream

Light cream has a much lower fat content (about 20 percent compared to 36 to 40 percent in heavy cream), so it does not have enough fat to create a fluffy texture. It works well in coffee and creamy soups. One cup of light cream replaces one cup of heavy cream. 

Tofu

Tofu works well for thickening soups and sauces. Use pureed firm or extra-firm silken tofu as a one-for-one substitute for heavy cream. Another great one for people with allergies.

Soy Milk and Olive Oil

This combination works best in casseroles, soups and pasta sauces. Mix two-thirds of a cup of soy milk and one-third of olive oil to replace one cup of heavy cream. This one is perfect for anyone with milk allergies. As well as the next one!

Coconut Cream

Coconut cream works with vegan, paleo and keto diets. It works best in desserts. Let the can of coconut cream chill in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, drain the liquid and scoop out the cream that’s left. One cup of coconut cream replaces one cup of heavy cream. Be careful not to use cream of coconut, which is sweetened. Once you use coconut cream, you may never want to use real dairy again!

Keep in mind

The texture, thickness, and/or taste of the original recipe will most likely be different when using a heavy cream substitute. Play around with different substitutes and find one you like. Don’t be afraid to try something new.