Heavy Cream Recipe - Oh So Foodie (2024)

by Toya

Jump to Recipe

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

Is heavy cream and heavy whipping cream the same thing? ›

Is Heavy Cream the Same as Heavy Whipping Cream? Yes, heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are the exact same thing. The confusion lies in the fact that they're sold by different brands under two different names.

What can I do with heavy cream? ›

9 recipes for leftover heavy cream: Pasta, caramel and more
  1. Gnocchi With Creamy Spinach Sauce.
  2. Cream Biscuits.
  3. Chocolate Almost-Mousse.
  4. Strawberry Fool With Raspberries.
  5. Go-To Salted Caramel Sauce.
  6. Cream-Fried Eggs.
  7. Earl Grey Tea Cake.
  8. Bow Tie Pasta With Spicy Vodka Cream Sauce.
Jun 24, 2023

Is there anything to substitute for heavy cream? ›

You can make a stand-in for the heavy cream called for in a recipe where it will be mixed with other ingredients. Melt 1/4 cup unsalted butter in a large glass bowl and gradually whisk in 3/4 cup whole milk or half and half. You'll end up with 1 cup of a cream substitute.

How do you make heavy cream if you don't have heavy cream? ›

Milk and butter

It's an easy substitute that'll work for most recipes. The butter adds extra fat to the milk, making its fat percentage similar to that of heavy cream. Combine 1/4 cup (57 grams) of melted butter with 3/4 cup (178 mL) of milk and mix thoroughly to make 1 cup (237 ml) of heavy cream.

Is heavy cream just milk and butter? ›

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.

Can I use milk instead of heavy cream? ›

You can make a similar heavy cream alternative using regular milk and butter. Whole milk has a fat percentage of around 3.5% and is preferable to lower-fat varieties, but you'll still want to use more melted butter than you would with half-and-half. For best results, try mixing ⅔ cup of whole milk with ⅓ cup butter.

Is it better to make pasta with whipping cream or heavy cream? ›

You can easily make a sauce for pasta with heavy cream or whipping cream. Heavy cream will give you better results because it has a higher fat content, but whipping cream will be fine. Start by cooking the garnish for your pasta. Let's say you're using a combination of chicken, blanched broccoli and mushrooms.

Can you freeze heavy cream? ›

To freeze, place your heavy cream in a plastic jug or carton, but make sure to leave some room for the heavy cream to expand once frozen. It's important to note that frozen-then-thawed heavy cream will not whip as nicely as fresh heavy cream.

Can you use heavy cream in coffee? ›

The verdict: Yes, you can use heavy whipping cream in coffee. In fact, heavy cream can be an excellent addition to your coffee if you enjoy a richer, creamier taste. Heavy cream is a dairy product that contains at least 36% fat, making it much thicker and creamier than milk or half-and-half.

How do you know when heavy cream is bad? ›

How to tell if heavy cream is bad?
  1. The cream has a strong sour smell.
  2. The cream has an unpleasant metallic taste.
  3. The container collected yellowish greener color at the corners.
  4. When you pour it, its texture is stringy and slimy, and it does not mix well with other liquids.
Feb 8, 2022

How long does heavy cream last after opening? ›

There's no need to worry if you don't plan to use up a whole carton at once, either, as heavy cream stays fresh for a surprisingly long time, assuming it's refrigerated properly and hasn't been left out on the counter. After opening, heavy cream can last for one month.

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

Heavy cream is practically milk with a high fat content so adding butter, which is just dairy based fat, to milk should work. To substitute for 1 cup (237 ml) of heavy cream, mix 1/4 cup (57 grams) of melted butter with 3/4 cup (177 ml) of milk.

Is evaporated milk the same as heavy cream? ›

Evaporated Milk – With a similar consistency, you can use a 1-to-1 swap of evaporated milk for heavy cream in most sweet and savory dishes. Its flavor is richer with unique caramelized tones and is not a lower-fat option, but evaporated milk makes do in a pinch.

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.

What are the ingredients in heavy cream? ›

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

What makes heavy cream heavy cream? ›

If you are wondering, “What is heavy cream?” you are not alone. Heavy cream, also known as heavy whipping cream, is the thick part of the milk that rises to the top due to its high fat content. With about 36-40% fat, it has one of the highest fat contents compared to other dairy products.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Last Updated:

Views: 5956

Rating: 5 / 5 (60 voted)

Reviews: 83% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Geoffrey Lueilwitz

Birthday: 1997-03-23

Address: 74183 Thomas Course, Port Micheal, OK 55446-1529

Phone: +13408645881558

Job: Global Representative

Hobby: Sailing, Vehicle restoration, Rowing, Ghost hunting, Scrapbooking, Rugby, Board sports

Introduction: My name is Geoffrey Lueilwitz, I am a zealous, encouraging, sparkling, enchanting, graceful, faithful, nice person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.