If you're in need of a heavy cream substitute, we have plenty of alternatives that can help you out of a bind! Whether you need heavy cream for a rich sauce, a savory soup, or a decadent dessert, there is a substitute that can get the job done!
Best Heavy Cream Substitutes
Thick and creamy potato soup, tasty cheese sauce, savory gravy, moist chocolate cake, fluffy whipped cream. When it comes to some of the best dishes around, heavy cream is at the center of each one!
What do you do if you run out of this golden ingredient? While nothing is the exact same as heavy cream, several alternatives will still give you the rich decadence you want!
Jump to:
- Best Heavy Cream Substitutes
- The Best Dairy Substitutes
- 1. Half & Half Plus Butter
- 2. Whole Milk & Butter
- 3. Milk & Cornstarch
- 3. Evaporated Milk
- Other Creamy Dairy Alternatives
- 4. Plain Yogurt
- 5. Greek Yogurt + Milk
- 6. Sour Cream
- 7. Mascarpone
- 8. Cream Cheese
- The Best Vegan Substitutes
- 9. Canned Coconut Cream
- 10. Canned Coconut Milk
- 11. Plant-Based Milk & Oil
- 12. Plant-Based Milk + Cornstarch (or Arrowroot Powder)
- 13. Tofu + Plant-based Milk
- 14. Cashew Cream
- 📖 Recipe Card
- 💬 Comments & Reviews
The Best Dairy Substitutes
When it comes to finding a substitute for heavy cream, there are several other dairy substitutes. Many of these are the easiest to use because they call for ingredients you most likely already have in your fridge. Therefore, you can grab them in a pinch.
The one thing you will not be able to find a substitute for in this list is a replacement for making whipped cream. When it comes to making whipped cream, heavy cream (or heavy whipping cream) is really the only dairy option that will give you the fluffy and yummy, sweet topping.
However, if you jump down to the dairy-free substitutes, you will find a wonderful alternative with coconut cream!
If you need a heavy cream substitute for your favorite creamy soup or sauce though, any of these alternatives will do the trick.
1. Half & Half Plus Butter
The best substitute for heavy cream is half & half with butter. Half-and-half already has a high fat content. By adding a little bit of butter, you can mimic the fat content of heavy cream.
It only takes a little bit of butter to make 1 cup of heavy cream.
- ⅞ cup of half-half
- ⅛ cup of melted unsalted butter (let the butter cool slightly so it doesn’t curdle the half and half)
Mix the two together thoroughly! Keep stirring (or whisking) quickly until it thickens. Use the mixture in a 1:1 ratio for any recipe that calls for heavy cream.
Since half-n-half already has a high fat content, you can also use it on its own to thicken soups and sauces.
2. Whole Milk & Butter
Whole milk can also be mixed with butter as a substitute. However, milk has less fat than half-in-half so you will need more butter.
- ¾ milk
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
Use the mixture above to replace 1 cup of heavy cream in sauces and baked goods. You can also measure a 1:1 ratio from the mixture for smaller quantities.
3. Milk & Cornstarch
Cornstarch is a common thickening agent for soups, sauces, and gravies. While it is usually used with water to thicken foods, it can be added to milk to mimic heavy cream.
This is a good choice if you want to eliminate some of the fat of heavy cream. It also works well with lower fat milks. While it can be used in place of heavy cream for soups and sauces it is not a great choice for baking. The lack of fat will result in dry baked goods.
Use the following measurements to replace 1 cup of heavy cream.
- 1 cup of milk
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch (you can also use arrowroot powder)
If you don’t need a full cup of cream just measure a 1:1 ratio from the mixture to use in your recipe.
3. Evaporated Milk
Evaporated is not as thick as heavy cream, but it is thicker than regular milk. Therefore, it can be used in pinch to quickly thicken soups and sauces. It is also a good choice for baking.
Use evaporated milk in a simple 1:1 exchange. The results won’t be quite as creamy or moist as if made with heavy cream, but it will have a nice light creaminess.
Other Creamy Dairy Alternatives
In addition to the milk combinations above, many other dairy products can mimic the effects of heavy cream. However, most of these have a flavor that may impact the overall dish. In a pinch though, grab one of these options from your fridge and try it out.
4. Plain Yogurt
This is an extremely easy alternative if you keep yogurt on hand! Use in a 1:1 ratio for baking or savory sauces.
5. Greek Yogurt + Milk
Mix equal parts to get the consistency of cream. Use in a 1:1 ratio for dishes that will benefit from a little extra tanginess.
6. Sour Cream
Use in place of heavy cream for a little tangy taste in any dish. Can be used in a 1:1 ratio in any recipes.
7. Mascarpone
Mix with a bit of sugar to create a sweet base to use in desserts. Use in a 1:1 ratio for heavy cream.
8. Cream Cheese
Thin out with milk of choice until it has a consistency like cream. Works best for adding creaminess to soups and sauces.
Use the thinned-out mixture in a 1:1 ratio.
The Best Vegan Substitutes
Heavy cream adds the perfect touch of creaminess to so many dishes. Not to mention, whipped cream! If you follow a vegan or dairy-free diet, you may think you have to miss out on these things. You don’t!
With so many dairy-free alternatives, you can enjoy all the yummy creaminess that heavy whipping cream adds to dishes, without the dairy.
9. Canned Coconut Cream
Canned coconut cream is the most important vegan substitute to know about because it is the only one that will replace whipped cream.
While all the other substitutes can work for sauces and soups, they won’t whip. Therefore, coconut cream is the one to keep in mind when you want that creamy topping.
When using coconut cream make sure that you have indeed purchased coconut cream. You want full-fat canned coconut cream (not coconut milk). Place the can in the refrigerator overnight to chill.
In addition to being the best non-dairy choice for whipped cream, coconut cream can also be used in any other recipe. When using it in a recipe, whether baking or cooking, you will prepare it a bit differently.
Rather than chilling the coconut cream, leave it at room temperature. Pour the liquid and the cream into one bowl and thoroughly mix. This will give you a thick and creamy base.
Use this in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute for any recipe that calls for heavy cream. As with any coconut substitute, be mindful that it will impart a slight coconut flavor to your dish.
Whipped Coconut Cream
To make whipped coconut cream, remove the chilled coconut cream from the fridge. When you open the can, pour out the liquid that has separated.
Place the hardened cream in a separate bowl and whip using your hand mixer (or another mixer). You can also add sugar and vanilla just like you would with heavy whipping cream.
Measure whipped coconut cream in a 1:1 ratio for any dessert you would use whipped cream for.
10. Canned Coconut Milk
Canned coconut milk is slightly thinner than coconut cream. However, if you get the full-fat version it is still thick enough to add a wonderful creaminess to soups and sauces. You can also use it when making dense cakes and other baked goods.
Prepare to use canned coconut milk the same way as described above: pour into a bowl and whisk together the milk and any separated liquid.
Use in 1:1 exchange for heavy cream in soups and sauces. Canned coconut milk will NOT work for whipped cream.
11. Plant-Based Milk & Oil
Grab your favorite plant-based milk and oil to make a dairy-free substitute like the milk and butter option above. A popular blend is soy milk and olive oil. You can use any combination of your choice though.
The only thing to consider when choosing which plant-based milk and oil to use is the possible change in flavor. Almond milk and soy milk have a milder flavor than coconut milk. Also, make sure you choose an unsweetened version.
Olive oil offers a nice savory finish to the creamy base. Coconut oil is also a wonderful option if you want that added coconut flavor. Whatever blend you choose, follow the measurements below to make 1 cup of a heavy cream substitute.
- ⅔ cup milk
- ⅓ cup oil
Mix the milk and oil until it starts to thicken. Then use the mixture in a 1:1 ratio for soups, sauces, or baked goods that call for heavy cream.
12. Plant-Based Milk + Cornstarch (or Arrowroot Powder)
If you want a heavy cream substitute that is lower in fat, just whip up your favorite plant-based milk with a thickening agent. Cornstarch is a standard. If you prefer non-corn products though, arrowroot powder is a great alternative.
Mix the following together to replace 1 cup of heavy cream.
- 1 cup of milk
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch (arrowroot powder)
If you don’t need a full cup, just cut this in half (½ cup of milk + 1 tablespoon of cornstarch). Moreover, you can mix the measurements above and then measure what you need in a 1:1 ratio for the heavy cream.
This substitute is best used to thicken soups or sauces. It can also be used in baking, but it will likely produce a drier cake, cookie, etc. since there is no fat.
13. Tofu + Plant-based Milk
While it cannot be used straight out of the package, with a little bit of milk tofu becomes a great substitute. Place your tofu in a food processor and add a splash of milk (to begin).
Blend. Add more milk slowly if needed, until it begins to resemble the consistency of heavy cream.
Use in a 1:1 ratio for heavy cream in baked goods, soups, and sauces.
14. Cashew Cream
If you follow a vegan diet, then you probably already know how amazing cashews can be for making a creamy base. These nuts have a mild flavor that is great at taking on the flavors around them. Therefore, it doesn’t shift the flavor of a dish too drastically.
Follow the directions below to replace 1 cup of heavy cream in any recipe.
- Cover ¾ cup of cashews in water & soak for at least two hours.
- Drain the water.
- Add cashews to a food processor or blender.
- Add a ¼ cup of water.
- Blend until smooth.
I know I said earlier that coconut cream was the only choice for whipped cream; however, cashew cream can also work in a pinch. Chill the blended cashew cream and then whip it with sweetener.
With so many options, you are sure to find the right substitute for your recipe. Let us know if you found a heavy cream substitute that worked for you!
Do you love a recipe you tried? Please leave a 5-star 🌟rating in the recipe card below and/or a review in the comments section further down the page.
Stay in touch with me through social media @ Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter! Subscribe to the newsletter today (no spam, I promise)! Don't forget to tag me when you try one of my recipes!
📖 Recipe Card
Heavy Cream Substitute: The Best & Easiest Alternatives For Any Recipe!
Ingredients
Option 1: Half & Half (or Whole Milk) + Butter
- ⅞ cup half & half (use ¾ cup for whole milk)
- ⅛ cup butter (use ¼ cup for combining with whole milk)
Option 2: Milk + Cornstarch (or a Thickening Agent)
- 1 cup milk
- 2 tablespoon cornstarch
(Note: 2x or 3x only changes the ingredient list)
Instructions
Option 1: Half & Half (or Whole Milk) + Butter
- Combine either half & half or whole milk with melted and cooled butter. Whisk until well combined and then use as an equal 1:1 replacement for heavy cream.
Option 2: Milk + Cornstarch (or a Thickening Agent)
- Whisk cornstarch into milk until well combined and you have a smooth, thickened heavy cream consistency. Best used in recipes that don't need the high fat content of heavy cream, but do need the dairy and to be thickened.
Anonymous says
Ova mi je Stranica spasila cijeli desert
"This site saved my entire dessert"
Angela @ BakeItWithLove.com says
To je fantastično čuti! Hvala što ste podijelili svoj uspjeh!
"That's fantastic to hear! Thanks for sharing your success!"