Easy Cream Substitute List + A Whipped Cream Recipe! - Shelf Cooking (2024)

Don't be caught off guard the next time you run out of your favorite cooking cream. Grab an easy cream substitute to keep on cooking and baking at home! Your family will be happy and your tastebuds will be pleased.

Easy Cream Substitute List + A Whipped Cream Recipe! - Shelf Cooking (1)

Creams are such a versatile ingredient in a recipe. They can be used in the most savory of dishes, and then you can turn around and eat them in the sweetest of desserts. They're wonderful to always have on hand in the fridge!

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Unfortunately, it never fails that when you need some the most, you open the fridge and BOOM, gone! Lucky for you, we've got a great cream substitute for you that will work for any of the different types of creams. Come learn a little more about these versatile ingredients and find out the best ways to substitute them when you're in a pinch!

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SUBSTITUTE FOR HALF AND HALF

Have you ever realized that half and half cream is literally half whole milk and half light cream? Don't worry, our minds were blown when we first realized it, too! It doesn't matter when you realized it, as long as you know it now. Because once you know, then you can easily make an easy substitute for half and half without having to run to the store to get more.

To make one cup of half and half:

  • Combine ½ cup whole milk and ½ cup light cream.
  • Mix ⅞ cup milk with 1 tbsp butter or margarine.
  • Use 1 cup of undiluted evaporated milk.
  • Mix 3 Tbsp oil with enough milk to equal 1 cup.
  • Combine ½ cup coffee creamer plus ½ cup milk.

So easy! Now that you how how easy it is to substitute for half and half, you can easily do it the next time you're in a bind.

LIGHT CREAM SUBSTITUTE

Love to use light cream in your drinks or your dessert, but don't love it when you run out right when you need it the most? Don't sweat it! Pick out a light cream substitute and you're good to go.

To make one cup light cream:

  • Combine ¾ cup milk and 3 Tbsp butter or margarine.
  • Use 1 cup of undiluted evaporated milk.

Regardless of what you need it for, sweet or savory, you won't ever have to sweat running out of it again.

HEAVY CREAM SUBSTITUTE

Easy Cream Substitute List + A Whipped Cream Recipe! - Shelf Cooking (2)

From a creamy chicken soup to homemade whipped cream, you can never go wrong keeping heavy cream in your fridge! However, it may be so widely used in your recipes that you occasionally run out when you need it the most. Don't worry, we've got you. Pick a heavy cream substitute that works for you and keep on keepin' on.

To make one cup of heavy cream:

  • Combine ¾ cup milk and ⅓ cup butter or margarine.
  • Substitute with 1 cup of light cream.
  • Add ⅔ cup buttermilk to ⅓ cup oil.
  • Use 1 cup evaporated skim milk.
  • Replace with 1 cup milk.
  • Combine ½ cup milk with ½ cup pureed cottage cheese.

Pro Tip: Use a food processor to puree the cottage cheese before adding it to your recipe.

SOUR CREAM SUBSTITUTE

This is one thing that you definitely don't want to run out of, especially if you're having something delicious like a fajita steak rice bowl. Use a sour cream substitute listed below using what you've got when you're in a pinch.

To make one cup sour cream:

  • Mix ¾ cup buttermilk with ⅓ cup butter or margarine.
  • Combine ⅓ cup buttermilk, 1 Tbsp lemon juice, and 1 cup blended cottage cheese.
  • Use 1 cup of plain yogurt.
  • Add ½ cup blended cottage cheese with ½ cup plain yogurt.
  • Mix ¾ cup milk, ¾ tsp lemon juice, and ⅓ cup butter or margarine.
  • Combine 1 cup blended cottage cheese, 3 Tbsp milk, and 2 Tbsp lemon juice.

See, it really couldn't be any easier!

WHIPPED CREAM RECIPE

Easy Cream Substitute List + A Whipped Cream Recipe! - Shelf Cooking (3)

Let's be honest, who doesn't love them some Cool Whip?! It goes great in our favorite fruit salad. But sometimes you really want to make something sweet without having to go to the store. Enter our favorite whipped cream recipe!

Easy Cream Substitute List + A Whipped Cream Recipe! - Shelf Cooking (4)

Whipped Cream Recipe

Forget store-bought, make this homemade whipped cream recipe and you'll forever be changed!

Prep Time 5 mins

Cook Time 5 mins

Total Time 10 mins

Course Dessert

Cuisine American

Servings 8 servings

Ingredients

  • 1 cup heavy cream/heavy whipping cream
  • 1 Tbsp powdered or granulated sugar
  • ½ tsp pure vanilla extract, optional

Instructions

  • Store metal bowl and mixer attachments in freezer for 15 minutes.

  • Using a hand or stand mixer, beat cream, sugar, and vanilla on medium speed for about 3-4 minutes or until medium peaks form. (The cream will make a peak but the tops will curl over.)

Notes

Use immediately or cover in an airtight container and store in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Keyword cool whip, easy, quick

Easy as pie! Cream pie, that is. 😉

WHIPPED CREAM SUBSTITUTIONS

Here are a few other substitutions if you don't have any heavy cream to make your own:

  • Chill a 13-oz. can of evaporated milk for 12 hours. Add 1 tbsp lemon juice and whip until stiff.
  • Combine ½ cup ice-cold water and ½ cup nonfat dry milk. Slowly add ½ cup sugar while beating. Beat until stiff. Add 2 Tbsp lemon juice.
  • Use 1 cup of frozen whipped topping that's been thawed.
  • Substitute with 1 cup frozen yogurt.

Okay! You are now the master. Never be thrown off in a recipe again when you need to come up with a cream substitute. Just pull out this handy dandy list and you're set! 🙂 Have any questions? Let us know in the comments!

Easy Cream Substitute List + A Whipped Cream Recipe! - Shelf Cooking (5)

Want some more great ideas?

  • Now that you're the cream substitute master, go become the bread crumbs master and learn all that you can about the different tips, tricks and hacks!
  • The next time you run out of taco seasoning, try making your own instead of running to the store!
  • Did your favorite kitchen tools make it on our essentials list?
Easy Cream Substitute List + A Whipped Cream Recipe! - Shelf Cooking (2024)

FAQs

Easy Cream Substitute List + A Whipped Cream Recipe! - Shelf Cooking? ›

Use 1 cup of plain yogurt. Add ½ cup blended cottage cheese with ½ cup plain yogurt. Mix ¾ cup milk, ¾ tsp lemon juice, and ⅓ cup butter or margarine.

What can I use instead of whipping cream shelf stable? ›

Since it's shelf-stable, you can keep it in the pantry for much longer than heavy cream in the fridge. One cup of heavy cream can be replaced with one cup of evaporated milk, or three-quarters of a cup of milk plus one-third of a cup of butter.

Can I substitute whipped cream with cooking cream? ›

If you need whipped cream for your homemade pie, both types of cream will whip perfectly fine. But if you're looking for an all-purpose, versatile option that you can use for a wide variety of recipes, then stock heavy cream in your fridge.

How do you make shelf stable whipping cream? ›

Cornstarch - This is another way to stabilize whipped cream and it works well. I use cornstarch more often for home desserts as compared to gelatin. Simple and easy as adding it to the whipped cream after adding the sugar. Add 1 tablespoon cornstarch for every 1 cup of heavy cream during whipping.

What is the closest thing to whipping cream? ›

The 10 Best Substitutes for Heavy Cream
  1. Milk and butter. Combining milk and butter is an easy, foolproof substitution for heavy cream that'll work for most recipes. ...
  2. Soy milk and olive oil. ...
  3. Milk and cornstarch. ...
  4. Half-and-half and butter. ...
  5. Silken tofu and soy milk. ...
  6. Greek yogurt and milk. ...
  7. Evaporated milk. ...
  8. Cottage cheese and milk.
Nov 16, 2017

What is a substitute for 1 cup of heavy cream? ›

Substituting Butter and Milk for Heavy Cream

To make 1 cup of heavy cream, melt 1/4 cup of butter and slowly whisk in 3/4 cup milk. This works for most baking or cooking recipes that require heavy cream, but it will not whisk into stiff peaks.

Is there a shelf-stable cream? ›

3 pack Trader Joe's Shelf Stable Tetra Grade A Whipping Cream 8 FL Oz (236 mL) Cream at the Ready When You Need It (UHT) Room Temperature, 3 Pack. Amazon's Choice highlights highly rated, well-priced products available to ship immediately.

How to make whipped cream without heavy cream? ›

To make the heavy cream substitute:
  1. Butter: Use unsalted butter which contains at least 80% fat content. Margarine or shortening will not work for this recipe.
  2. Milk: Full fat or whole milk has high fat content is best because it combines well with the butter and creates a richer creamier textured heavy cream substitute.
Aug 3, 2021

What is a good whipped cream stabilizer? ›

For whipped cream that needs to last for a few hours:

Simply add 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar to 1 cup whipping cream before whipping. Make it in the morning and serve it after dinner. If you want even more more stability, whisk 1 tablespoon cornstarch with the powdered sugar before adding it to the cream.

What's the difference between cooking cream and whipped cream? ›

Cooking cream might also be known as light cream or single cream in Europe. It's a thinner, more liquid consistency than either whipping cream and all-purpose cream which makes it easy to stir into soups, sauces, and even gravies and stews.

What's the difference between whipping cream and cooking cream? ›

It's the amount of fat in the cream. Heavy cream has a higher percentage of milk fat (about 36%) while whipping cream has less (around 30%). Don't let the names deceive you: both can and should be used for whipped cream.

Can you use whipping cream in cooking sauce? ›

Add 1 cup of heavy whipping cream, keep stirring. You'll start seeing it thicken within about 1 minute. Therefore, add the other 1 cup (a total of 2 cups of heavy whipping cream) and keep stirring. The sauce will then start reheating back up and be thicker within 3-5 minutes.

Can you make stabilized whipped cream in advance? ›

Make it Ahead of Time

You'll love the fact that you can make stabilized whipped cream ahead of time, keep it in the fridge without worries of it getting runny, and use it when you're ready to go.

How long will stabilized whipped cream last? ›

The glory of stabilized whipped cream is that it doesn't weep or separate, so it may be made in advance. It's a great option for frosting cakes, piping onto pies, cheesecake and more! How long does stabilized whipped cream last? The cream will keep in an air tight container in the refrigerator for about 3 days.

How long will whipped cream stay whipped? ›

Whipped cream will hold for 2 to 3 hours in most cases, although this time is shortened in warmer weather. The point is that unless you are making your topping more than a couple of hours ahead, you don't need to worry about your whipped cream deflating.

What cream is like whipping cream? ›

Heavy cream and whipping cream are two similar high fat dairy products that manufacturers make by mixing milk with milk fat. The main difference between the two is their fat content. Heavy cream has slightly more fat than whipping cream. Otherwise, they are nutritionally very similar.

What are the 2 types of whipping cream? ›

Dairy, Non-Dairy, and Powdered forms are the three main types of whipped cream. The most widely distributed whipped cream in India is non-dairy whipping cream.

Can you whip evaporated milk? ›

Sweeten evaporated milk with powdered sugar and a touch of vanilla before whipping it into a foamy topping for cocoa, pie or fresh fruit. A bit of gelatin will give it staying power for a beautiful presentation.

How to make whipped cream with milk and butter? ›

Step 1In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in 20-second increments until mostly melted. Whisk butter until mixture is smooth, then slowly stream in milk while whisking. Continue whisking until mixture is smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. Step 2If separation occurs, return bowl to microwave and heat for 5 to 10 seconds.

Can you make whipped cream with milk instead of heavy cream? ›

You don't need heavy cream to make whipped cream. While the practice is slightly untraditional, it's possible to make a fluffy, delicious topping using whole milk, skim milk, or coconut milk.

Can sour cream substitute for heavy cream? ›

Sour cream has a high enough fat content—about 20%—to make it a good substitute for heavy cream in some savory recipes, such as soups or chili. However, while some chefs swear that sour cream is a key ingredient for a killer whipped cream, it generally can't be used on it's own to make whipped cream.

Is there shelf-stable whipped cream? ›

Gossner's locally sourced, naturally produced whipping cream is shelf stable for food storage. Great for whipping, sauces, and frosting.

What cream has the longest shelf life? ›

Heavy Cream Has a Shelf Life of up to a Month

When in doubt, throw it out. Ultra-pasteurized cream may have a much longer expiration date. It is heated to a higher temperature for a very brief period to kill bacteria and spores.

Can you whip milk into whipped cream? ›

Yes, you can whip milk.

Can you make whipped cream with condensed milk? ›

How do you turn condensed milk into whipped cream? You'll want to put that condensed milk in the freezer for 30 minutes, then pour it into a chilled mixing bowl and beat it. Use the high setting for one minute until it becomes nice and foamy.

What is a thickening agent for whipped cream? ›

You can use cornstarch to help thicken and stabilize your whipped cream. This is a very common and easy way of thickening and stabilizing your whipped cream to keep it from turning into a melty mess. The cornstarch can leave a slightly gritty texture to the whipped cream though.

What is the best emulsifier for whipping cream? ›

The best have been found to be α-tending emulsifiers, which crystallize in the α-form at the oil/water interface, below their melting point. This promotes fat agglomeration during whipping. Monoglyceride acetates and lactates, and propylene glycol palmitate or stearate are all α-tending emulsifiers.

What does cream of tartar do for whipped cream? ›

Adding just a ¼ teaspoon of cream of tartar into your whipping cream will make it last longer and make your cream topping thicken. Cream of tartar prevents any chance of soggy and messy desserts.

Does homemade whipped cream taste better? ›

Whether you want to enjoy it on your morning waffles, coffee or you are having guests over for dessert, having fresh, delicious whipped cream is a no brainer when comparing it to the store bought canned type. The quality and taste of homemade whipped cream just doesn't compare and it's more convenient.

How to make homemade cooking cream? ›

Making Heavy Cream from Milk
  1. Melt the unsalted butter in a saucepan over low-heat. ...
  2. Stir 1 tablespoon (15 mL) of the melted butter into the cold milk. ...
  3. Pour the milk into the rest of the butter and cook it over low-heat. ...
  4. Mix the cream until it thickens.

Which cream is best for cooking? ›

Generally when cooking with cream you need a cream with a higher fat content, single (light) cream, low fat creme fraiche, sour cream and half and half will all tend to split if heated to boiling point so you need to use double or heavy cream or full fat creme fraiche.

What is whipped cream in cooking? ›

Whipped cream is heavy cream, double cream, or other higher fat cream, that is whipped by a whisk or mixer until it is light and fluffy and holds its shape, or by the expansion of dissolved gas, forming a firm colloid. It is often sweetened, typically with white sugar, and sometimes flavored with vanilla.

What happens when you Cook whipped cream? ›

High temperatures can change the texture and flavor of the cream, so food companies often add congealing agents such as carrageenan to return the cream to its original viscosity. These agents could work in tandem with the microbes to thicken the cream, speeding up the process.

What cream is used for cooking sauces? ›

Heavy cream is usually used to make sauces because it's a bit more unctuous and requires less time to cook in order to thicken and enrich a sauce. It can also be used in many types of main dishes, but it also works with fruit and desserts, or even served separately, as a dip.

Is cooking cream or whipping cream better for pasta? ›

Creams with more fat are more stable for whipping and sauce making. So if you're making an Alfredo sauce, it's probably best to use heavy cream since it takes less time to cook down than whipping cream.

What cream to use for cooking pasta? ›

If you don't have double cream, use single cream or crème fraîche instead. Soft cheese, such as cream cheese, can be used as alternative too – it's richer than the cream, so 100g/3½oz should be plenty, along with an extra splash of water.

How long will whipped cream hold up on a pie? ›

The cream will stay perfectly whipped for longer than 2 days, but it can start to feel a little thick after 2 days so I recommend giving it a quick whisk by hand after that to improve the consistency.

Does homemade whipped cream deflate? ›

The whipping action incorporates air bubbles, and the fat helps them stay in the mixture. Unfortunately, because fat is less dense than water, the smooth mixture will eventually separate into layers, causing the whipped cream to deflate and weep.

Is whipped cream the same as stabilized whipped cream? ›

While regular whipped cream relies on incorporated air to hold its shape, added stabilizers can help keep it sturdy for up to days at a time in the fridge. Stabilized whipped cream is light and airy, yet sturdy enough to be used as a frosting.

Why wont my whipped cream stiffen? ›

You're not chilling your cream. Using room temperature cream is the cardinal sin of whipped creamery and the number one reason for whipped cream not thickening. If it reaches above 10°C, the fat inside the cream will not emulsify, meaning it can't hold the air particles which allow it to maintain fluffy peaks.

How long can you leave cream in a whipped cream dispenser? ›

Whipped cream will last in a dispenser for anywhere between 3 days to 3 months. If you are using a nitrous oxide charger, it will help to stabilize the cream and prevent it from going bad. You can store whipped cream in the fridge for up to 24 hours, but after that, it will start to lose its texture and flavor.

Does Cool Whip stay stabilized? ›

Perfectly Stable (even in hot weather). Adding 1 basic ingredient – cream of tartar – provides sturdy structure and gives this frosting staying power. Still Lusciously Creamy! Unlike pudding mixes, adding cream of tartar doesn't alter the flavor of cool whip.

Why did my homemade whipped cream go flat? ›

What makes whipped cream "break"? The stable foam mixture made up of milk fat and tiny air pockets passes its peak of stability. Too much mixing causes the structure of the foam to break down, and allows the air to escape.

What happens if you whip whipping cream too long? ›

Making whipped cream seems easy enough, but if you beat cream too long, luscious, soft peaks can quickly turn into a grainy mess.

What is the difference between Chantilly and whipped cream? ›

What's the Difference Between Chantilly Cream and Whipped Cream? Chantilly cream is always sweetened and flavored with vanilla, while whipped cream is often prepared unsweetened or just very lightly sweetened.

Can you make or substitute for heavy whipping cream? ›

You can make a stand-in for the heavy cream called for in a recipe where it will be mixed with other ingredients. Melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter in a large glass bowl and gradually whisk in 3/4 cup whole milk or half and half. You'll end up with 1 cup of a cream substitute. Use in soups, sauces, puddings, etc.

Can you use milk as whipping cream? ›

You don't need heavy cream to make whipped cream. While the practice is slightly untraditional, it's possible to make a fluffy, delicious topping using whole milk, skim milk, or coconut milk.

Is evaporated milk the same as whipping cream? ›

Evaporated Milk

Both have a similar creaminess and flavor to heavy cream, but with fewer calories and fat. Whipping cream is a nearly an identical product with just 5 percent less milkfat.

What can you use instead of whipping cream in Alfredo sauce? ›

The two best substitutes for heavy cream in alfredo sauce are: Milk + Flour + Butter: Whisk together 1 cup of whole milk (make sure it's COLD), 2 tablespoons of flour, and 2-3 tablespoons of melted butter (cooled). Whisk until smooth. Once you heat this mixture it will begin to thicken like heavy cream.

How to make homemade whipped cream without heavy cream? ›

To make the heavy cream substitute:
  1. Butter: Use unsalted butter which contains at least 80% fat content. Margarine or shortening will not work for this recipe.
  2. Milk: Full fat or whole milk has high fat content is best because it combines well with the butter and creates a richer creamier textured heavy cream substitute.
Aug 3, 2021

Is heavy cream in a recipe the same as whipping cream? ›

The main difference between the two is their fat content. Heavy cream has slightly more fat than whipping cream. Otherwise, they are nutritionally very similar. You can use them interchangeably in recipes without affecting the taste, although they may lead to different consistencies.

What can I use instead of cream? ›

The Best Heavy Cream Substitutes
  1. Half-and-Half and Butter. A combination of half-and-half and butter makes the best all-around heavy cream substitute. ...
  2. Milk and Butter. ...
  3. Evaporated Milk. ...
  4. Coconut Cream. ...
  5. Cream Cheese. ...
  6. Greek Yogurt and Milk. ...
  7. Soy Milk and Olive Oil.
Mar 30, 2022

How to make whipped cream with milk? ›

Place in the fridge for roughly 20 minutes or until it starts to thicken up. Take out of the fridge, add the confectioners sugar/icing sugar and stir it through. Using an electric mixer whisk it up until the milk mix gets really thick and doubles in volume. As you whisk you will see it getting bigger in size.

Can evaporated milk be whipped? ›

Sweeten evaporated milk with powdered sugar and a touch of vanilla before whipping it into a foamy topping for cocoa, pie or fresh fruit. A bit of gelatin will give it staying power for a beautiful presentation.

How to make heavy whipping cream with evaporated milk? ›

A: Evaporated milk can be substituted for heavy cream. According to the recipe website Allrecipes.com, a cup of heavy cream can be replaced with a cup of evaporated milk, or three-quarters of a cup of milk plus one-third of a cup of butter.

Can you use half-and-half to make whipped cream? ›

You can indeed use half-and-half to make whipped cream. But you won't really get the best results by using it. If your need for whipped cream is insatiable and half-an-half is all you've got, then you'll need to thoroughly chill it in the fridge before moving it to the freezer.

Can I use sour cream instead of heavy cream? ›

Sour cream has a high enough fat content—about 20%—to make it a good substitute for heavy cream in some savory recipes, such as soups or chili. However, while some chefs swear that sour cream is a key ingredient for a killer whipped cream, it generally can't be used on it's own to make whipped cream.

How do you make Alfredo thicker if you don t have heavy whipping? ›

Add Cheese

The key ingredient in alfredo sauce is cheese—generally Parmigiano-Reggiano—and lots of it. To thicken alfredo sauce, you can add more cheese than the amount that is called for in a recipe until you achieve the consistency that you want.

Can I use buttermilk instead of heavy cream? ›

While buttermilk is actually lower in fat than whole milk, its thicker consistency makes it a good substitute for heavy cream in your baked goods.

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