Heavy Cream Recipe - Oh So Foodie (2024)

by Toya

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Last Updated on February 7, 2024 by Toya

Just how do you make your own homemade heavy cream recipe? This is something many people want to know. So, keep reading to see how to make heavy cream in a few minutes and with 2 simple kitchen staples!

Heavy Cream Recipe - Oh So Foodie (1)

Yes, that’s right! I’ll teach you how to make your own heavy cream right in your kitchen with staple ingredients. You can then use this recipe as an effective substitute for heavy cream in most dishes that require heavy cream!

In this article, we will guide you through a simple homemade heavy cream recipe that can be easily prepared with two common ingredients: butter and milk. With this recipe, you can create your own rich and creamy heavy cream at home, eliminating the need to rush to the store when you run out.

Yes, that’s right. You can make a simple homemade cream right in your own kitchen in a few minutes! This is a pretty neat trick that has saved me more times than I can remember.

How to make heavy cream at home

To make your own heavy cream, you will need:

  • ¾ cup of milk
  • ¼ cup of unsalted butter
    For equipment, you will need a saucepan, a whisk, and a refrigeration container to store the heavy cream.

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Begin by melting the butter in the microwave—or in a saucepan if that is what you have. Be careful not to let it simmer or boil.
  2. Let the butter cool for about 2 minutes.
  3. Pour the milk into the melted butter, whisking continuously to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
  4. This may take a few minutes by hand.
  5. Continue whisking the mixture until it thickens and forms a smooth, creamy consistency.
  6. Once the heavy cream has thickened to your liking, store it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two days.
  7. Our use immediately in your favorites recipes!
Heavy Cream Recipe - Oh So Foodie (2)

Tips and Variations

  • For a richer flavor and thicker texture, you can increase the amount of butter used.
  • If you prefer a lighter version of heavy cream, you can reduce the amount of butter and replace it with more milk.

How to use

Here are eight easy ways to use your homemade heavy cream:

  1. Whipped Cream: Use your homemade heavy cream to make luscious whipped cream. Simply whip it with a bit of sugar until soft peaks form, and use it as a topping for desserts, fruits, or hot beverages.
  2. Creamy Soups and Chowders: Add richness and thickness to your favorite soups and chowders by incorporating some of your homemade heavy cream. Whether in a classic clam chowder or a comforting tomato soup, a splash of heavy cream can enhance the texture and flavor.
  3. Pasta Sauces: Create creamy, rich pasta sauces by incorporating some of this homemade heavy cream to the mix. Whether you’re making Alfredo or carbonara, the addition of heavy cream adds a velvety texture and a luxurious touch to your pasta dishes.
  4. Quiches and Casseroles: Enhance the creaminess of quiches, casseroles, and savory pies by incorporating homemade heavy cream into the egg mixture.
  5. Baked Goods: Add richness and moisture content of your baked goods by adding some homemade heavy cream to the batter. This heavy cream recipe works well for scones, cakes, biscuits, and more.
  6. Coffee and Hot Chocolate: Upgrade your morning coffee or a cozy cup of hot chocolate by adding a splash of homemade heavy cream. It add a luxurious, silky texture and a subtle richness to your favorite hot beverages.
  7. Sauces for Meat and Poultry: Create the creamiest, most flavorful sauces for meat and poultry dishes using your own homemade heavy cream.

Ready to make it? Check out the full recipe below:

Heavy Cream Recipe - Oh So Foodie (3)

Heavy Cream Recipe

Yield: 1 cup

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes

Just how do you make your own homemade heavy cream recipe? This is something many people want to know. So, keep reading to see how to make heavy cream in a few minutes and with 2 simple kitchen staples!

Ingredients

  • ¾ cup of milk
  • ¼ cup of unsalted butter
  • For equipment, you will need a saucepan, a whisk, and a storage container to store the heavy cream.

Instructions

  1. Begin by melting the butter in the microwave—or in a saucepan if that is what you have. Be careful not to let it simmer or boil.
  2. Let the butter cool for about 2 minutes.
  3. Pour the milk into the melted butter, whisking continuously to combine the ingredients thoroughly.
  4. This may take a few minutes by hand.
  5. Continue whisking the mixture until it thickens and forms a smooth, creamy consistency.
  6. Once the heavy cream has thickened to your liking, store it in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two days.
  7. Our use immediately in your favorites recipes!
Nutrition Information:

Yield: 1Serving Size: 1 cup
Amount Per Serving:Calories: 600Total Fat: 60gSaturated Fat: 38gTrans Fat: 1gUnsaturated Fat: 19gCholesterol: 170mgSodium: 100mgCarbohydrates: 10gFiber: 0gSugar: 10gProtein: 7g

Heavy Cream Recipe - Oh So Foodie (2024)

FAQs

When a recipe says heavy cream What is that? ›

Heavy cream is a common ingredient in sweet and savory recipes. With 36 to 40 percent milkfat, it has a higher fat content than light cream, whipping cream, half-and-half, whole milk, and evaporated milk.

How to make heavy cream DIY? ›

If you find yourself without heavy cream but need to substitute it in a recipe that calls for 1 cup of heavy cream, you can use 3/4 cup of milk and 1/4 cup of melted butter instead. However, it's important to note that this substitute won't whip into soft or stiff peaks regardless of how long you continue to whip it.

What can I use as a substitute for heavy cream? ›

The 10 Best Substitutes for Heavy Cream
  • Milk and butter.
  • Soy milk and olive oil.
  • Milk and cornstarch.
  • Half-and-half.
  • Tofu and soy.
  • Yogurt and milk.
  • Evaporated milk.
  • Cottage cheese and milk.

What are the ingredients in heavy cream? ›

HEAVY CREAM, CONTAINS LESS THAN 1% OF: CARRAGEENAN, MONO AND DIGLYCERIDES, POLYSORBATE 80. CONTAINS: MILK.

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

If you have butter and milk (whole milk or even half-and-half work best), you can make your own heavy cream substitute. 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 whipping cream and heavy cream the same? ›

The difference comes down to fat content. Heavy cream has slightly more fat (at least 36 percent) compared with whipping cream (at least 30 percent). Both whip well (and taste delicious), but heavy cream will hold its shape longer, while whipping cream produces a lighter, softer texture.

How to make heavy cream with milk and butter and milk? ›

Melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter (that's 4 tablespoons or half a stick) and let it cool to room temperature. Then, whisk it together with 3/4 cup whole milk. This mixture is equivalent to 1 cup of heavy cream and can be used in almost any recipe that calls for heavy cream.

How to make 2 cups of heavy cream? ›

Use a 1-to-3 ratio of butter and whole milk in your recipe. For every 1 cup (237 mL) of heavy cream your recipe calls for, use 1/4 cup (57 g) of butter and a 34 c (180 mL) of milk. Simply place the butter on your counter and wait for it to become room temperature before stirring it into the whole milk with a whisk.

Can you make heavy cream with just milk? ›

Making heavy cream at home is relatively simple, and you can do it with just two common ingredients: whole milk and unsalted butter. Heavy cream is a dairy product with a high fat content, typically around 36-40%.

Is evaporated milk the same as heavy cream? ›

Evaporated milk and cream are often used interchangeably, especially in older recipes; however, cream has a much higher fat content than evaporated milk. Evaporated milk has no less than 6.5% milkfat, where whipping cream has no less than 30-36% milk fat, depending on whether you use light or heavy whipping cream.

Can I use sour cream in place of heavy cream? ›

Sour cream is an easy replacement for heavy cream. It can be easily stirred into a dish and offers another flavor profile to soups, stews and sauces. Plus, using it as a heavy cream substitute is a great way to use up that lingering tub in the fridge.

How to make heavy cream with 2% milk? ›

Unfortunately, you can't directly turn 2% milk into heavy whipping cream. Heavy cream has a much higher fat content (usually around 36-40%) compared to the approximately 2% fat content in 2% milk. You'd need to find heavy cream or a higher-fat content substitute for whipping purposes.

How do you make your own 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.

Why is heavy cream so expensive? ›

Heavy cream is more expensive than regular milk due to its higher fat content and the additional processing required to separate the cream from the milk. The cost of production, packaging, and transportation also contribute to its higher price.

How to make heavy cream with half-and-half? ›

For this substitution, you'll want to combine ¾ cup of half-and-half with ¼ cup melted unsalted butter—this will replace 1 cup of heavy cream. The substitute will work well in both cooking and baking, but it's not the best option for whipping.

How do you get heavy cream? ›

Heavy cream is made by skimming or separating the fattest layer of liquid off the top of whole milk in a processing plant. Commercial heavy cream also often contains added vitamins, stabilizers, and thickeners like carrageenan, polysorbate, and mono and diglycerides.

Is heavy cream and half-and-half the same? ›

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.

Is heavy cream the same as all purpose cream? ›

All-purpose cream is a versatile dairy product that contains a higher fat content than regular milk. It is often used to add richness and creaminess to both sweet and savory dishes. This cream is not the same as heavy cream or whipping cream, as it has a lower fat content and is not suitable for whipping.

Is heavy cream the same as thick? ›

In Australia, heavy cream is commonly known as thickened cream, The two both contain similar milk fat content percentages and are generally interchangeable in recipes. However, In the U.S., cream with a milk fat content percentage of 36 to 40 is classified as heavy cream.

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