What is Half and Half (and how to MAKE it from scratch!) (2024)

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by Kellie July 16, 2019

The key to lighter cream sauces and decadent desserts, half and half is my secret weapon to shaving off calories without sacrificing flavor or texture.

What is Half and Half (and how to MAKE it from scratch!) (1)

Half and Half can be found in between the milk and the heavy cream at your local grocery store but have you ever grabbed it to use in your favorite recipes? It goes beyond a “creamer” substitute for your morning coffee and I LOVE it for lightening up some of my favorite rich cream sauces or desserts.

I have had NUMEROUS fans and followers message me asking “What is Half and Half?” It has been a staple in my kitchen for so many years, I kinda thought everyone was using it on the regular. I had taken my beloved cream substitute for granted and now…I’m sharing with all of you everything you wanted to know about Half and Half.

What Exactly is Half and Half

Half and Half, also know as half cream in the United Kingdom, is a blend of equal parts whole milk and light cream. It averages about 10% – 12% milk fat, which is more than milk and less than cream. Because it has a lighter fat content than cream, it can not be whipped into whipped cream.

What is Half and Half (and how to MAKE it from scratch!) (2)

Can you make Half and Half?

Making your own at home is super easy to do. To make your own DIY Half and Half recipe, simply stir together 1 cup whole milk with 1 cup light cream. Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Don’t have cream? No worries, simply stir together 1 3/4 cups milk with 1/4 cup UNSALTED melted, cooled butter and you have your own homemade Half and Half.

One more recipe for Half and Half, stir together 1 3/4 cup milk with 1/4 cup heavy cream for my FAVORITE version of half and half. This version is a bit heavier than the others.

You can easily halve any of these recipes for just one cup of half and half. We use a lot here for so many things during the week that two cups is my go to when I have to make it from scratch.

What is Half and Half (and how to MAKE it from scratch!) (3)

What is Half and Half used for?

I like to pour a splash in my morning coffee as a substitute for cream but it’s also wonderful in so many recipes.

Half and half is great in recipes where you want something creamier than milk but less heavy than cream. I like to use it as a substitute for heavy cream in a lot of recipes where I want to shave off some calories and lighten up a favorite recipe.

Using half and half in co*cktails, ice cream recipes and your favorite quiche can add richness without adding unnecessary calories and fat. I like to stir it into cream sauces at the end to amp up the flavor but be sure to only add it at the end because it can cause the sauce to curdle if added too early.

It is also a good substitute for recipes that call for both milk and cream which have a tendency to separate. Because the fat in half and half has been hom*ogenized, it will create a smoother, creamier result in desserts like pudding and panna cotta.

What is Half and Half (and how to MAKE it from scratch!) (4)

FAVORITE RECIPES USING HALF AND HALF

  • Creamy White Chicken Chili
  • BEST EVER Vanilla Pudding Recipe
  • Easy Creamy Chicken and Wild Rice Soup
  • Chicken and Dumplings Skillet
  • Creamy Chicken Soup with Artichokes
  • BEST EVER Chocolate Pudding
  • Quick Chocolate Ganache

What is Half and Half (and how to MAKE it from scratch!) (5)

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Get the Recipe:How to Make Half and Half

Yield: 12

Prep Time: 2 minutes mins

Total Time: 2 minutes mins

Super easy DIY Half and Half recipe.

4 from 3 votes

Print Recipe Rate Recipe Pin Recipe

Ingredients

  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 cup light cream

Instructions

  • Stir together the milk and cream to combine.

  • Transfer to an airtight container and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks to use in your favorite recipes or coffee.

Calories: 42kcal, Carbohydrates: 1g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 4g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 13mg, Sodium: 12mg, Potassium: 37mg, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 135IU, Calcium: 30mg

Author: Kellie

Course: Breakfast

Cuisine: American

posted in: DIY, Gluten-Free, Kitchen Tips, Recipes, Uncategorized, Vegetarian 11 comments

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    11 Comments on “What is Half and Half (and how to MAKE it from scratch!)”

  1. Paul Reply

    “also know as half cream in the United Kingdom, “

    I’ve lived in the U.K. for 39 years and have never heard of “half cream”.

    I googled to check it wasn’t just me and this website is the top result for half cream U.K.

    Have you got a source?

    • Kellie Reply

      The source is me. 🙂 Maybe not everyone in the UK calls it that but my grandmother was from Axminster and called it half cream. She said that’s what it was called. I’ve also heard it called single cream but that wasn’t what I grew up with.

  2. Neil Adams Reply

    In the UK Half and Half is “Single Cream” Not Half Cream

    • Kellie Reply

      Thank you…..that’s not what my British grandmother called it so maybe a regional thing.

  3. IncredulousMe Reply

    I can’t believe someone needed a receipt for ‘half and half.’ The name is kind of descriptive. smh

    • Kellie Reply

      If you can’t find half and half, as many have written me, this just provides the ratio so they can make a recipe calling for half and half. You didn’t need to click on the recipe if you had to shake your head at it.

      • Sue Reply

        To the commenter INCREDOULOUSME:
        I agree if you already know why waste your time on the article? Guess you have already learned everything in the whole entire world and will never be surprised by what you haven’t learned yet. And because the name IS very descriptive (I agree) why you wouldn’t assume that, perhaps, in some world other than your own, someone may not have learned yet. Also, I very much knew that 1/2& 1/2 was half milk and half cream. BUT I also know that there is fat free, 1%, 2%, whole milk. Which is best? Had other people already tried and taken the issue of experimentation off my hands? Oh! And there’s multiple types of cream as well. Light, heavy, extra heavy (40%~give this a go if you can find it for whipped cream y’all). Anyways, think before you speak, consider other’s life experience before pressing post, be open to being wrong, consider if you would like the person your opinion makes you appear as.

        To the author of the post KELLIE:
        Thank you! I wanted to make sure I was using the percentages of milk and creamthat had been tried and “risen to the top” (knuck knuck knuck).

        • Kellie Reply

          Thank you so much, Sue. Yes, I do have items on this site for the inexperienced cook, as well as, the experienced. Some people think I write just for them and only them. 🙂

    • Hugh Jorgan Reply

      I can’t believe that some people don’t know how to spell recipe by the time they become adults. There’s a big difference between a receipt and a recipe. SMH!!!

      • Sue Reply

        They were probably autocorrected…your sarcasm is obvious but was there any value added? Let’s start a movement of critical kindness. Fighting fire with fire has not worked and only divided us. After my previous comment to this thread I have decided that I am only going to leave posts if I have something nice to say or if my criticism isn’t based on fallacy. Let’s learn aboutfallacies so we have more coherent and critically relevant debates!

        • Kellie Reply

          Thank you. 🙂

What is Half and Half (and how to MAKE it from scratch!) (2024)

FAQs

What is Half and Half (and how to MAKE it from scratch!)? ›

Since we now know that half and half is equal parts milk and cream, we can make a substitute. Get a liquid measuring cup, fill it to the 1/2 cup line with whole milk and then add heavy cream to the 1 cup line. You just made a substitute for half and half.

How do you make half-and-half from scratch? ›

If you have whole milk and heavy cream on hand, you can make half-and-half. Using a measuring cup, simply combine 3/4 cup whole milk and 1/4 cup heavy cream (aka whipping cream). Use this mixture just as you would if you had half-and-half, like mixing it into a cup of coffee or tea or churning homemade ice cream.

What makes half-and-half? ›

Half-and-half is simply a mixture of half whole milk and half cream. It's what you use when you need something richer than milk, but not quite as thick as cream. You'll find it in rich and velvety sauces, soups, and desserts.

What are the ingredients in half-and-half cream? ›

Milk, Cream, Carrageenan, Disodium phosphate, Mono and diglycerides, Sodium citrate. There may be a delay between updating the product label or packaging and updating the website.

What is a cup of half-and-half? ›

This dependable dairy product is pretty self-explanatory; half-and-half is literally made with equal parts of heavy cream and milk. Whether you're using ½ cup or 4 cups of half-and-half, this product will always be an even, 1:1 ratio of regular milk and ultra-rich heavy cream.

What else can I use if I don't have half-and-half? ›

How to sub: Combine 3/4 cup whole milk with 1/4 cup heavy cream to use as a 1 cup substitute for half and half in any application. If you don't have whole milk in the fridge, you can also use low-fat or skim milk.

How to make half-and-half with flour? ›

Measure out 1 cup (240 ml) of milk.

Then, whisk in about 1 tbsp (8 g) of flour or cornstarch. This will thicken the milk, giving it a consistency that's a little closer to half-and-half.

Can you dilute heavy cream to make half-and-half? ›

If you have heavy cream and milk on hand but need half and half, it's an easy fix. To make 1 cup of half and half: Combine ½ cup heavy cream and ½ cup milk in a small mixing bowl.

Does half-and-half with water make milk? ›

If your recipe calls for 1 cup of whole milk, you can mix ½ cup of half-and-half with ½ cup of water. This combination balances the creaminess of half-and-half with the lightness of water, resulting in a mixture that closely resembles the taste and consistency of milk.

Is half & half the same as heavy cream? ›

According to the FDA, half-and-half contains between 10.5 percent to 18 percent milk fat, while heavy cream contains between 36 percent and 40 percent milk fat. Because heavy cream contains more fat, it is thicker and has a richer taste and a creamier mouthfeel than half-and-half.

What are the ingredients in Nestle half-and-half? ›

MILK, CREAM, 2% OR LESS OF SODIUM CITRATE, DATEM, TETRASODIUM PYROPHOSPHATE, CARRAGEENAN.

Which is healthier half-and-half or cream? ›

On the other hand, half-and-half is made from a combination of cream and milk, so it contains substantially less fat. Most types of half-and-half contain less than half the fat of heavy cream, consisting of 11% fat, or about 1.7 grams per tablespoon (15 mL) ( 5 ).

What are the ingredients in Dairy pure half-and-half? ›

INGREDIENTS: MILK, CREAM, CONTAINS LESS THAN 0.5% OF: DISODIUM PHOSPHATE, SODIUM CITRATE.

How can I make my own half-and-half? ›

Don't have cream? No worries, simply stir together 1 3/4 cups milk with 1/4 cup UNSALTED melted, cooled butter and you have your own homemade Half and Half. One more recipe for Half and Half, stir together 1 3/4 cup milk with 1/4 cup heavy cream for my FAVORITE version of half and half.

What is half-and-half in a recipe? ›

Half-and-half is a mixture of equal parts full-cream milk and thickened cream. It has a higher fat content than milk but lower than cream and because it is thinner than cream, it can't be whipped.

Can I substitute evaporated milk for half-and-half? ›

In most recipes, evaporated milk and half and half can be exchanged in a 1:1 ratio. Summary Half and half is made from 50% milk and 50% cream blended together. It is higher in fat and lower in protein and sugar than evaporated milk. It can be used in most of the same recipes.

How to make half-and-half with cornstarch? ›

Simply thicken a cup of milk with about a tablespoon of cornstarch. If you add too much, you end up with a mixture that's more like heavy whipping cream. Another dry alternative is powdered heavy cream, which is similar to powdered milk but more dense.

Can you make heavy whipping cream at home? ›

How to Make Heavy Cream with Milk and Butter
  1. Add butter and milk to a saucepan, cook and stir over medium low heat, turn off the heat right after the butter is fully melted. ...
  2. Pour the mixture into a blender. ...
  3. Transfer the blended mixture to a large mixing bowl. ...
  4. Once you are ready to whip the cream.
May 28, 2023

What is half of 1 ⁄ 2 cup? ›

Half of 1 cup is 1/2 cup, half of 1/2 cup is 1/4 cup, and half of 2/3 cups = 1/3 cup.

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