How to make whipped cream without any heavy cream? Whipped cream can be seen as the soul of food because it helps boost the flavor and sweetness of many kinds of desserts or drinks, and is loved by both children and adults.
I know that you usually make perfect whipped cream by mixing cold heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla. However, in case of heavy cream is not available in your house, what should you do to make the heavy cream substitute? It is not a real problem after you read these ways right now!
What Is Whipped Cream?
Whipped cream is a liquid version of heavy cream and is usually used to decorate and enhance the flavor of desserts or drinks. In most cases, heavy cream is beaten with a whisk or mixer to form a new light and fluffy texture called whipped cream.
Differences Between Whipping Cream And Whipped Cream
Actually, they have the same ingredients, but whipped cream is fluffy while whipping cream is quite liquid.
- Whipped cream is a form of whipping cream that has been whipped and ready to use. Normally, whipped cream is contained in a spray bottle, and you can spray it directly on your food or beverage, such as cakes, smoothies, ice cream, etc.
- Whipping cream is self-whisking cream and contains no sugar, so it is cheaper than whipped cream and is often used with apple pie, pudding, mousse, etc. However, the shorter shelf life is one of the biggest weaknesses of this fresh cream.
Differences Between Heavy Cream And Whipping Cream
It is well-known that heavy cream and whipping cream are created from milk and milk fat, though heavy cream has a higher fat content. In terms of color, it is hard to tell the difference between the two.
The strong point of heavy cream is that it can keep its texture long after catching the scream, so it is used in many main courses, simple and effortless desserts, and drinks, such as soups, strawberry shortcakes, cream puffs, cocktails, coffee, milkshakes, etc. The fat content of heavy cream is 36 – 40%, and whipping cream is 30 – 36%. (1)
When you understand the difference between them, you have the key to creating a high-quality heavy cream replacement. Don’t worry, take it easy!
The 6 Best Replacements For Heavy Cream
Now I will share with you 6 options you can try to replace heavy cream in the whipped cream recipe. You won’t just find these options simple, effective, and easy to follow, but the finished product will also bring great flavor to your sweet and tasty whipped cream desserts.
What are you waiting for? Let’s get started!
Option 1: Milk
You probably have milk in your house at all times. It’s great! Did you know that different types of milk can produce different tastes of whipped cream?
I will provide two different milk types you can easily find and substitute for heavy cream in whipped cream recipes.
1. Full-fat Milk
Full-fat milk is a great alternative to heavy cream. With a similar amount of fat, full-fat milk can still maintain whipped cream’s foam and creaminess.
- ¼ cup or 2 oz of cold full-fat milk
- 2 tsp unflavoured powdered gelatin
- 1 cup of 8 oz of cold full-fat milk
- 2 tbsp confectioners sugar
- A small bowl
- A large bowl
- Microwave
- Whisk
Pour 8oz or 60g milk into a small bowl. Then, sprinkle 2 tsp powdered gelatin into the milk and stir well for 5 minutes. The mixture can then be microwaved to melt into a liquid. Once you have a liquid mixture, you should leave it outside and wait for it to cool down.
Take another larger bowl and pour a cup of milk with the cool gelatin mixing. Whisk the mixing and place in the refrigerator. After 20 minutes, you take the bowl out. Now you add some sugar into the bowl and stir it. Make sure you stop stirring when the mixing gets thicker and fluffier in the bowl.
It is the whipped cream you desired, right?
A quick and easy way to make whipped cream from full-fat milk.
2. Evaporated Milk
Evaporated milk is milk that has removed 60% of water inside it and heated up. As a result, the milk content is higher, thicker, and creamier without affecting the nutritional content. (2)
- 12 oz can of evaporated milk
- ½ – ¾ cup of confectioners sugar
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- A mixing bowl
- Beaters or mixing bowl with a whisk attachment
- Refrigerator or freezer
You should put the evaporated milk can and whatever you have to whisk, such as a hand mixer, stand mixer, or mixing bowl with the whisk attachment in your fridge until they get cold.
Pour the 12 oz cool evaporated milk into the cold mixing bowl. Whisk the milk at high speed for 1 minute.
Add ½ – ¾ cup of confectioners sugar and 1 tbsp vanilla into the mixing bowl. Continue to whisk the mixture at high speed for 3 minutes.
And now you have the creamy whipped cream for your desserts!
Make whipped cream from evaporated milk step by step – let’s get your recipe!
Option 2: Cornstarch
Cornstarch or cornflour is a useful ingredient for whipped cream recipes when heavy cream is not available. The combination of cornstarch and milk creates an incredibly fragrant and fatty whipped cream.
Ingredients
- 1000 ml or 36 oz milk
- 1 tbsp vanilla essence
- 1 tbsp powdered sugar
- 2 tbsp Cornstarch
Equipment
- Pot
- Ladle
- Stand mixer
Instructions:
Pour 30 oz milk into a pot and boil. When the milk starts boiling, let’s use a ladle to take the fat cream layer. Then the milk was reduced to less than half of its original quantity.
Add 1 tbs of vanilla essence and 1 tbsp of powdered sugar into the boiling milk pot and mix them well.
Step 3: Make A Cornstarch Mixture
Pour the rest of the milk with 2 tbsp cornstarch into a cup. Mix it well to avoid lumps until it becomes a liquid mixture. Pour this mixture into the boiling milk pot and continue to mix them well.
Remove the pot from the gas burner and let it cool for 15 minutes. After that, you place the pot in the refrigerator for 2 hours. Transfer the mixture in the pot into a small bowl, then begin to whip the mixture at a slow speed for 2 or 3 minutes. Let’s keep your whipping speed until the mixture becomes fluffy and creamy.
Option 3: Butter
Butter is one of the best substitutes for heavy cream.
As in the first part, I mentioned heavy cream has a fat content of about 36 – 40%. Now I introduce another dairy product that has high fat content – butter. The fat content of butter is about 80%.
In this recipe, I will show you how to make whipped cream without heavy cream by taking advantage of butter’s fat content.
Ingredients
- ¾ cup of milk
- ⅓ cup of butter
- ¼ cup powdered sugar
- ½ tsp vanilla (optional)
- Pinch of salt (optional)
Equipment
- Bowl
- Stand mixer or whisk
Instructions
Step 1: Mix Butter And Milk
Put the butter into a bowl and melt it on the stove. When you see the butter melt completely, gradually pour milk into the butter bowl and stir it for 5 minutes.
Step 2: Add Ingredients
Set the mixing bowl to cool down for about 5 minutes, and add salt, vanilla, and powdered sugar into the bowl. Whisking the mixture well for 5 – 7 minutes.
Step 3: Make Whipped Cream
Gradually raise the whisking speed until the mixture is as thick as you desire. You can add more powdered sugar if you want the mixture thicker.
The whipped cream is now ready to be served with your desserts!
Option 4: Egg Whites
Besides milk, eggs are indispensable in your beloved house, especially since you are a big fan of homemade-cake. Let me share a new recipe to make whipped cream with just 3 eggs. Let’s start!
Ingredients
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 3 tbsp water
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp vanilla essence
- 3 eggs
- A pinch of salt
Equipment
- Pan
- Bowl
- Whisk
Instructions
Add 4 tbsp sugar and 3 tbsp water into the pan and cook it for 30 secs to a minute as all sugar dissolves completely. Next, add 1 tbsp lemon juice, stir and cook it until you feel the mixture is a little sticky and turns to a light brown. Afterward, add 1 tbsp vanilla and continue to stir and cook well.
Step 2: Make Whipped Cream
Separate the white eggs into a bowl, add a pinch of salt, and beat it for 4 minutes. Add 4 tbsp sugar syrup gradually and continue to whisk well until your mixture turns creamy and fluffy.
Forget about heavy cream! Only 3 eggs also make perfect whipped cream.
Option 5: Coconut Cream
Coconut cream is considered a vegan version of whipped cream containing high levels of healthy fat and small amounts of potassium, protein, and carb.
For diabetics or those on a ketogenic diet, coconut cream can be substituted for heavy cream if you are concerned about your dishes’ carb and sugar content. (3)
Ingredients
- Coconut copras
- 400 ml water
- 2 tbsp sugar
Equipment
- Blender
- Bowl
- Sifter
- Plastic wrap
- Ladle
- Fridge or refrigerator
Instructions
Put small pieces of fresh coconut copra into a blender with about 400 ml of water and grind well. Pour the blended mixture into a bowl and wring water by your hand or a sifter.
Cover the extracted water with the plastic wrap and keep it overnight in the fridge. The next day, take the coconut cream bowl out and use a ladle to collect coconut cream on the top.
Add 2 tbsp sugar into the bowl and whisk at average speed within 10 minutes to make the cream softer and fluffier than the whipped cream.
See how to make whipped cream from coconut cream in just 3 minutes!
Option 6: Chickpeas
Chickpeas are another healthy product we can use to make whipped cream. With chickpeas, people who want to eat a healthy diet can enjoy dessert without worrying about their fat and carb intake.
Chickpeas contain amazing nutrients such as protein, fiber, iron, etc. They help you manage your weight, lower your blood sugar, and improve overall health. (4)
Ingredients
- 1 cup of chickpeas or 48 tsp chickpeas
- 4 cups of water or 960 ml of water
- 8 tbsp powdered sugar
Equipment
- Pan
- Sifter
- Bowl
- Stand mixer or whisk
Instructions
Step 1: Extract Chickpeas Water
Soak a cup of chickpeas in 960 ml water overnight, cook them on the stove until it is soft and use a sifter to extract the first water.
Wait for the first water to cool down at room temperature, transfer it into a small bowl, then put 8 tbsp powdered sugar into the first water, then beat well for around 12-14 minutes by using a stand mixer or whisk.
Now you have a sweet whipped cream!
Let’s see how everyone uses chickpeas to make whipped cream. You can, too!
Must-know Notes For Successful Whipped Creams
You walked through all the useful ways, and be ready to roll up your sleeves and get to try. To ensure you have a successful DIY whipped cream, you should pay attention to a few points:
- Your homemade whipped cream should be used immediately to taste the best flavor. After 30 minutes, your whipped cream will lose its fluffiness.
- If you want to store your whipped cream for later uses, you should place it in the fridge for no more than 2 days.
- For a new experience, you could add some cocoa powder or cinnamon to create a new flavor for your own whipped cream. Enjoy your desserts on your way!
- Butter is a warming temperature sensitive product, so it is hard to control the level of heat when melting the butter in a pot put directly on the stovetop. You can use the double boiler method to melt the butter.
To set a double boiler, you just need to put a small bowl on a boiling water pot and try to make sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. This method aids your butter melt more gently than the old method.
- A bonus tip for you to stabilize homemade whipped cream and store it a bit longer in your fridge, you can add 1 tsp flavored Jell-O or unflavored gelatin in your whipped cream. Dissolve the mixture in boiling water and chill in the fridge until slightly thickened, then whisk it with chilled evaporated milk.
FAQs
I hope the above methods can assist you in creating delicious whipped cream. However, the right recipe is only half of the equation in cooking, you have to consider more other factors.
Let’s take a look at everyone’s frequently asked questions about making whipped cream. Read through them carefully because they might come in handy!
You Are The Master Of Dessert!
And yes, you got it!
Creating a delicious whipped cream without heavy cream doesn’t have to be difficult. Every recipe offers a unique flavor that makes the experience even more enjoyable.
Perhaps you have whipped cream spray bottles in your fridge or a lot of heavy creams in your beloved home. These recipes are still useful if you already have whipped cream at home but still want a different taste for your dessert. It’s worth a try, isn’t it?
If you find these sharing useful, don’t forget to forward them to your friends and family. I’m glad to know all my buddies are masters of dessert.
References
- Lang, A., 2022. Heavy Cream vs. Whipping Cream: What’s the Difference?. [online] Healthline. Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/heavy-cream-vs-heavy-whipping-cream#nutrition>
- Lang, A., 2022. Evaporated Milk: Nutrition Facts, Benefits, and Downsides. [online] Healthline. Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/evaporated-milk-nutrition>
- Link, R., 2022. What Is Coconut Cream? Benefits, Uses, Downsides. [online] Healthline. Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/what-is-coconut-cream>
- Elliott, B., 2022. 10 Health and Nutrition Benefits of Chickpeas. [online] Healthline. Available at: <https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/chickpeas-nutrition-benefits#TOC_TITLE_HDR_8>
