Heavy cream, with a fat content of approximately 36% to 40%, is a common cooking ingredient. It’s added to soups and sauces to thicken them, and can also be used in desserts like ice cream. But what if you’re out of heavy cream?

Milk and Cream

Using whole milk and cream as a substitute for heavy cream works in most recipes. Adding cream to milk increases the fat content, simply bringing it up to the same level as heavy cream.

For example, you can replace 1 cup of heavy cream with 1/4 cup of melted butter mixed with 3/4 cup of milk. For a thicker texture, add 1 tablespoon of flour. While this combination of milk and cream can replace heavy cream in most recipes, it won’t whip.

Milk and Cornstarch

Cornstarch is a common cooking thickener, added to milk to thicken it. Simply adjust the milk to the consistency of heavy cream. For example, mix 2 tablespoons of cornstarch into 1 cup of milk.

However, this combination is more suitable for cooking rather than baking, as it may alter the texture of baked goods. Furthermore, it is not suitable for whipped cream.

Milk and Greek Yogurt

Combining whole milk and Greek yogurt creates a similar texture to heavy cream. Greek yogurt is also rich in protein, which can increase the protein content of the dish.

A simple 1:1 ratio of milk and Greek yogurt is sufficient. However, if the mixture becomes too thick for some reason, add a little more milk to thin it out until the texture resembles heavy cream.

However, this combination is not suitable for whipping.

Soy Milk with Olive Oil

If you can’t consume milk or other dairy products due to lactose intolerance,

You can substitute soy milk with olive oil in recipes. Olive oil can increase the fat content of soy milk, but only if it reaches the standard for heavy cream.

For example, you can mix 2/3 cup soy milk with 1/3 cup olive oil and use it to replace 1 cup of heavy cream. While soy milk with olive oil is suitable for most recipes, it’s not suitable for whipping cream.

Coconut Milk

Full-fat coconut milk and heavy cream can be substituted in a 1:1 ratio, and coconut milk can be whipped, so its uses are almost identical. However, the flavor is different, so it’s not recommended to use coconut milk in recipes that call for a large amount of heavy cream to avoid completely altering the flavor.

To make dairy-free whipped cream using coconut milk, first refrigerate the can of full-fat coconut milk overnight. The next day, scoop the separated solids into a mixing bowl and whip with a handheld electric mixer or other suitable tool.

Half-and-Half with Cream

Mixing half-and-half with cream increases the fat content of the half-and-half. This combination can also be used to replace heavy cream in recipes. For example, 7/8 cup of half-and-half with 1/8 cup of melted cream can replace 1 cup of heavy cream.

This combination of half-and-half and cream can replace heavy cream in almost any recipe and is also suitable for whipping.