

It has a slightly nutty and sweet coconut flavor that works great in savory dishes like curries, soups or stews or as a topping for desserts like pies or cakes. This luscious and creamy substitute is made from the meat of fresh coconut and can be found in most grocery stores. If you’re looking for a dairy-free heavy cream alternative, coconut cream is your answer. Dairy-free substitutes for heavy cream Coconut cream It adds a subtle tanginess to dishes that pairs beautifully with sweet fruits like strawberries or raspberries. Julie notes that mascarpone cheese is also great for creamy sauces and baking recipes like tiramisu. To use mascarpone cheese in recipes, simply whisk it until it’s light and fluffy.

It can be used as a heavy cream substitute in baking and cooking, but due to its high fat content, it’s best when used sparingly. Mascarpone cheese is an Italian cream cheese that’s made with cow’s milk and has a soft, creamy texture. Want it to thicken up like heavy cream? Whisk in 2 teaspoons cornstarch for every cup of half-and-half called for in the recipe and then cook the dish for at least 3 minutes. To use half-and-half as a heavy cream substitute, you can substitute it at a 1:1 ratio. It contains about 12% fat, so it’s not as heavy or creamy as regular cream but provides enough richness for soups and sauces. Half-and-half is a combination of milk and cream, so it can be used as a substitute in heavy cream recipes if you want something in-between in texture. It also makes a great base for salad dressings, marinades, creamy soups and smoothies. To use it as a swap, whisk it until it’s smooth and creamy - about 1 cup of yogurt for every ¾ cup of heavy cream. Greek yogurt will add a slightly tangy flavor to dishes, so it works great in creamy sauces like Alfredo or béchamel. Greek yogurt is a great heavy cream substitute as it’s high in protein and calcium but low in fat. Remember that evaporated milk does not have the same stability when whipped as heavy cream, so it may not hold its shape as well in some recipes. To use evaporated milk as a heavy cream substitute, simply chill the can before whipping it to achieve a similar consistency to whipped cream. “It’s also great when making creamy dishes in your slow cooker since it won’t separate like traditional cream will.” Evaporated milk has a lower fat content than heavy cream but can still provide a similar texture in many recipes. “I like using evaporated milk in chowders and other creamy soups,” Julie says. Evaporated milkĮvaporated milk is a canned milk product with about 60% of the water content removed, giving it a thick and creamy consistency. “I have sour cream in my fridge at all times since it lasts longer than regular milk or half-and-half, so it’s easy to add a spoonful to dishes to add creamy richness,” Julie says. To use sour cream as a substitute for heavy cream, whisk it until it’s light and fluffy. Sour cream is great for adding richness to soups, sauces and dressings and providing a creamy texture to baked goods like cakes or muffins.


It’s high in fat and has a tangy flavor that will add complexity to any dish. If you need something rich and creamy, sour cream is a great alternative to heavy cream. Although it’s been around for ages, heavy cream has become quite popular recently due to its high fat, low carb content - making it perfect for keto dieters.ĭairy substitutes for heavy cream Sour cream Heavy cream is often used in dishes that require thickening or creaminess, such as soups, sauces, desserts and beverages.
HEALTHIER HEAVY CREAM SUBSTITUTE FOR MAC
“Heavy cream is a staple ingredient in so many recipes, from classic sauces like béchamel - that yummy white sauce that’s the base for mac and cheese and cream gravies - to rich desserts like ice cream,” explains Woman’s World Food Director Julie Miltenberger. It’s made by skimming the butterfat off the top of the liquid after homogenizing and pasteurizing it. Heavy cream (or heavy whipping cream) is a thick, rich dairy product containing 36 to 40% milk fat. Read on to learn more about heavy cream and the 12 ingredients that can be used as a heavy cream substitute. Heck, you might actually end up preferring some of the substitutes, especially if you’re looking for a dairy-free alternative or simply want something a little lighter. Recipe call for heavy cream, and you could have sworn you had some in the fridge? No problem, thanks to several swaps that work in any instance and yield tasty results - without necessitating a run to the grocery store.
