In this short article, we will answer the question “Can you use half and half instead of heavy cream?”, will show you how to substitute heavy cream with half and half and with other ingredients.
Can you use half and half instead of heavy cream?
Yes, you can, but only when you add butter to your half-and-half. Mix 7/8 cup (232 grammes) of half-and-half with 1/8 cup (29 grammes) of melted butter to replace 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream.
In some dishes, such as sauces and soups, half-and-half can be used in place of heavy cream without requiring the addition of butter.
Also, keep in mind that half-and-half has a substantially lower fat content compared to heavy cream, whips less effectively, and deflates more quickly than heavy cream, thus making whipped cream with it requires extreme discipline. It’s not impossible, though.
What is half and half?
It is a phrase that appears frequently in American cuisine. It consists of a blend of half whole milk and half cream (35% fat).
Lighter cream with about 12% fat is the result. In many recipes, including those for cakes and ice cream, half and half are added to black coffee or even substituted for milk.
What other options do I have than half and half to substitute for heavy cream?
A few items can be used in place of heavy cream. Heavy cream is an important ingredient to thicken and give creaminess to dishes, especially when you use it. It is also feasible to substitute a healthy alternative.
We must admit that the consistency is different, but you can expect a pretty close match in terms of flavour. So, in case you don’t have heavy cream at home, I’ll mention other ingredients you can use in their place. Look it over:
You can modify recipes that call for sour cream so that they fit within your diet by using the advice in this article. Look at the list of substances used in place of the cream:
- organic yoghurt
- dairy-free yoghurt
- egg white
- either coconut cream or coconut milk
- cream of ricotta
- plant-based milk and cream
- plant-based creams (includes soy cream, avocado cream, tofu cream, homemade vegan sour cream, rice cream, and more)
- Cheese cottage
- buttermilk with quark cheese
Organic yoghurt
Natural yoghurt is a milk derivative, therefore it also contains lactose, but it is high in protein and low in fat. On a light diet, Greek yoghurt or low-fat plain yoghurt can be used; the latter is a creamier choice.
Natural yoghurt, which is pure, fat- and sugar-free, can substitute for sour cream in several recipes, but it should only be used as the final step.
Yoghurt should be heated gently when used in hot recipes to prevent curdling due to overheating. Replace the sour cream with an equivalent amount of yoghurt.
Egg white
For whipping cream and making whipped cream toppings, the advice to substitute egg whites for cream is appropriate.
The outcome is a less uniform cream that is nevertheless delicious and reduced in calories and fat. Egg whites should be whipped until very stiff. Add a little sugar or sweetener, then whisk the mixture once more until it forms peaks and is creamy and glossy.
Either coconut cream or coconut milk
Coconut cream is incredibly thick, much like sour cream, as you may have experienced if you’ve ever used it. Because of this, this ingredient is regarded as a tasty sour cream substitute that is also suitable for vegetarians and those who are lactose intolerant.
It also contains iron, vitamin C, and a pleasant taste that is absent from normal cream. You can substitute coconut milk (thicker) or coconut cream for the cream in a recipe if you want (thicker).
When using coconut milk, set it in a basin without a lid and refrigerate for two hours. Then, separate the liquid from the solid, reserving only the portion that is the most solid for the recipe.
Cream of ricotta
Sour cream can be replaced with low-calorie, low-saturated-fat ricotta cream. The dish will be rich and light if you decide to use light ricotta cream. In savoury dishes, an equivalent amount can be substituted for a fairly comparable outcome.
Plant-based milk and cream
Vegetable milk cream, which is also sold in boxes, is a healthy alternative when you decide to quit using sour cream in recipes. The most popular type of vegetable sour cream is soy cream, but there are other varieties as well, including oat, rice, coconut, and more.
Use equally and in the same manner. Use vegetable cream instead of regular cream to substitute the cream in desserts.
Veggies creams
There are various vegetable cream recipes that you may make at home in addition to the boxed vegetable cream. For instance, tofu cream is a fantastic non-dairy cream substitute and is frequently used in vegetarian and vegan cookery.
There are also soy cream, tofu cream, homemade vegan sour cream, rice cream, avocado cream, and other possibilities.
Conclusion:
In this short article, we answered the question “Can you use half and half instead of heavy cream?”, have shown you how to substitute heavy cream with half and half and with other ingredients.