You can substitute heavy cream with several alternatives depending on your recipe and dietary preferences:
- Milk and Butter : Melt 1/4 cup of butter and whisk it into 3/4 cup of whole milk to replace 1 cup of heavy cream. This works well in most cooking and baking recipes but cannot be whipped
- Half-and-Half and Butter : Mix 3/4 cup half-and-half with 1/4 cup melted butter for a closer fat content to heavy cream. This is good for cooking and baking but not for whipping
- Coconut Cream : A vegan and dairy-free option, coconut cream can be scooped from chilled full-fat coconut milk. It can be used 1:1 in recipes and even whipped, though it imparts a coconut flavor
- Greek Yogurt and Milk : Combine equal parts Greek yogurt and milk to substitute heavy cream in sauces and savory dishes. It adds richness with less fat but is not ideal for baking or whipping
- Evaporated Milk : Can replace heavy cream cup-for-cup in cooking, especially in recipes where cream is a liquid ingredient. It has a slightly caramelized flavor
- Mascarpone or Sour Cream : These can be thinned with milk and used in baking or savory recipes as a creamy substitute
- Whole Milk : Sometimes used alone for lighter dishes but has much lower fat content and may require thickening agents
Choose the substitute based on the texture and flavor needed in your dish, as some impart distinct tastes or cannot be whipped like heavy cream. For whipping, coconut cream is the best non-dairy option, while real heavy cream or substitutes with added fat work better for traditional whipping
