Heavy cream is delicious, and its substitutes are even more. If you don’t have heavy cream in your kitchen, then don’t stress out, because there are a hundred different substitutes that are equally delicious and healthier too.
The substitutes of heavy cream work can be easily added to sauces and soups. You can add them to cakes and pastries also. So what are you waiting for? Whip up a bowl of a lovely heavy cream substitute today.
Why Should You Use Substitutes for Heavy Cream?
Heavy cream might be rich and delicious, but for lactose intolerant people, it is a nightmare. Such people cannot add heavy cream to desserts, soups, and casseroles, as it causes digestive troubles like bloating, flatulence, and acid reflux.
Fortunately, lactose intolerance does not mean that you have to survive on bland soups and unsavory desserts, because there are quite a few excellent substitutes of heavy cream. Try non-dairy butter, pureed tofu, coconut cream, and other non-lactose, non-fat, and healthy alternative for heavy cream.
The health benefits of heavy cream substitutes include the following:
- Boosts physical energy
- Prevents excessive gain in weight. Non-dairy alternatives to heavy cream are low in fat and therefore do not cause any increase in weight.
- Cuts down on stress levels. Nothing works more effectively for stress reduction than a bowl of strawberries or dark chocolate doused with non-dairy heavy cream.
- Boosts body immune system
- Promotes the health of the skin and hair. You can prepare a lot of creamy and hydrating facial and hair spa masks with heavy cream and other natural ingredients.
What Are the Substitutes for Heavy Cream?
1. Milk and Butter
Heavy cream is too rich in fats, so the combination of milk and butter is excellent if you want to enjoy heavy cream without gaining extra body weight.
Blend three-fourth of a cup of milk with one-fourth of a cup of melted and unsalted butter. Use the mixture of milk and butter to replace the heavy cream found in creamy sauces and baked goods.
[Read: Butter Substitutes For Healthy Options ]
2. Soy Milk and Olive Oil
The combination of soy milk and olive oil(1) is the best vegan substitute for heavy cream. If you are lactose-intolerant, then you can try this combo instead of heavy cream.
Mix two-thirds of a cup of soy milk with one-third of a cup of light olive oil. You can also use rice milk and melted, non-dairy margarine instead of soy milk and olive oil. You cannot whip this combination, but you can easily add it to a variety of foods instead of heavy cream.
3. Full-Fat Coconut Cream
Full-fat coconut cream has a creamy consistency. You can whip the coconut cream just like you whip heavy cream, as the consistency is almost similar.
Refrigerate a bowl of full-fat coconut milk overnight or until it thickens and sets. Drain out the excess liquid the next day and scoop out the solidified into a chilled tumbler. Whip the cream in a blender or hand-mixer, and your substitute for whipped cream is ready. Coconut milk is the best substitute milk for heavy cream.
[ Read: Amazing Coconut Butter Benefits ]
4. Brown Rice and Low-Fat Milk
If you have a penchant for gourmet foods like creamy soups and salads, then the combination of low-fat milk and brown rice can be right for you. The blend of toned milk and brown milk never curdles upon addition to hot foods.
If you are looking for a savory substitute for heavy cream, then here is what you need to do. Combine two cups of chicken broth with half a cup of instant brown rice(2). Boil the combination and let the contents simmer for about half an hour. Blend a cup of toned milk with it, and your substitute for heavy cream is ready.
[ Read: Benefits of Brown Rice ]
5. Cashew Cream
Cashew cream is delicious and a perfect substitute for heavy cream for savory as well as sweet dishes. Cashew cream is mainly preferred by vegans and lactose intolerant individuals.
Soak a cup of cashew nuts in plain water for a couple of hours. Mix the softened cashew nuts with a cup of water with a pinch of salt in it. Blend the mixture until it turns smooth. Refrigerate the mixture until it becomes stable. Whip the chilled cashew nut cream with a blender or mixer.
6. Greek Yogurt and Milk
Whole milk and Greek yogurt make for an excellent substitute for heavy whipped cream. Thicken your soups and desserts with a blend of milk and Greek yogurt instead of heavy cream. Greek yogurt is rich in protein, and the mixture turns out to be even thicker than heavy cream.
Combine equal volumes of whole milk and Greek Yogurt and blend thoroughly. Use this mixture to enhance the thickness and flavor of soups, sauces, baked goods, and desserts. Besides, Greek yogurt is lower in fat content than heavy cream and has its flavor to add to the dishes.
Heavy cream may be creamy and delicious, but it is not always healthy. If you want to enjoy soups and desserts without getting fat, you can try out the Greek yogurt and milk cream. There is such a variety of delicious substitutes of heavy cream that you will feel at a loss as to which one to add to your favorite soups and salads. Get set to churn out a delicious range of delicious and healthy dishes with these heavy cream substitutes
FAQs
1. Can I use sour cream in place of cream?
Sour cream can take the place of whole milk, cream, skim milk and buttermilk. However, the flavor will be different, and you may need to adjust liquid ratios and fats in your recipe for a good result. Use 1 cup of sour cream to replace 1 cup of milk in recipes
2. What Are the Non-Diary Substitutes For Heavy Cream?
Here is a list of few non-dairy substitutes for heavy cream that are incredibly delectable and perfect for adding to vegan dishes.
- Pureed white beans or pulses
- Pureed tofu
- Mashed and blended cashew nuts into cashew nut cream
- Full-fat milk of coconuts, and
- Cream of oil and soy milk or rice milk
