How to Make Heavy Cream

This guide will show you how to easily make homemade heavy cream. This type of cream can be used in various recipes, although it won't whip up the same way as store-bought heavy cream.

• 3/4 cup (180ml) whole milk • 1/3 cup (75g) butter

Melting the Butter. Use butter softened to room temperature. There are several ways to melt butter. Here are a few methods you can try:

• Melting butter on the stove. Place the butter in a pan and set the heat to low. Butter melts at temperatures between 28–36ºC, which is around room temperature on a warm day. Keep a close eye on it and turn off the heat when about 3/4 of the butter has melted. Use a spoon or pastry brush to spread the melted butter on the pan surface.
• Melting butter in the microwave. Cut the butter into small pieces (if frozen) and place it in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave it in 10-second intervals until the butter has melted.

Pour the melted butter into the milk. Stir 1/3 cup (75g) of melted butter into 3/4 cup (180ml) of whole milk in a medium-sized bowl. Be sure to let the butter cool before adding it to the milk.

• If you're using low-fat milk, add 1 tablespoon of flour to help thicken the cream.

Mix the ingredients together. Use a hand mixer, whisk, chopsticks, or spoon to mix the ingredients well. Stir for several minutes until the cream thickens and foams up.

• Note that homemade heavy cream will not whip up as much as store-bought heavy cream.

Storing the heavy cream (optional). Transfer the cream into a container and store it in the fridge for about 1 to 2 days.

Using Homemade Heavy Cream. You can use a cup of homemade heavy cream right away when making baked goods, soups, and sauces.

Using skim milk and cornstarch. If you only drink skim milk, you can still use it to make heavy cream. In this case, use 1 cup of milk and 2 tablespoons of cornstarch or unflavored gelatin to thicken the mixture. Whisk the ingredients for about 3-4 minutes until the mixture thickens.

Using tofu and soy milk. If you want to make a lower-fat cream or need it for a vegetarian dish, blend tofu with unsweetened soy milk until smooth.

• This is a great, health-friendly way to make homemade heavy cream.

Try cottage cheese and milk. Cottage cheese and non-fat powdered milk can be combined in equal amounts to create a low-calorie creamy milk. Mix the two ingredients until smooth.

• If you don't have powdered milk, you can substitute it with skim milk.

Using evaporated milk and vanilla extract. Chill the evaporated milk and add vanilla extract to taste.

• This mixture is great for making soups that require heavy cream.

Using Greek yogurt and milk. Greek yogurt is thicker than regular yogurt and can be used as a substitute for heavy cream without making the dish too fatty. When making cookies or bread with heavy cream, combine half cream cheese and half whole milk to maintain the creamy flavor of the dish.

• For cheesecake recipes where texture is important, use half heavy cream and half Greek yogurt to reduce the fat content.
• Greek yogurt tends to curdle if overheated, so use low heat when cooking soup with Greek yogurt.
• You can also make Greek yogurt at home by wrapping 2 cups of plain yogurt in cheesecloth. Let the liquid drain for a few hours and you'll have 1 cup of thick yogurt.

Try using half & half and butter. For each cup of heavy cream needed in your recipe, you can substitute with butter and half & half. Melt 1/6 cup of butter and let it cool. However, ensure the butter doesn’t solidify while cooling. Mix 7/8 cup of half & half with the cooled melted butter in a bowl.

Try using low-fat cream cheese. Replacing with low-fat cream cheese will still create a similar texture to heavy cream but with fewer calories and fat in the recipe.

• If your recipe calls for 1 cup of heavy cream, use only 1/2 cup of cream cheese.
• Cream cheese has a slightly tangy flavor, so it’s not recommended for sweet recipes that require heavy cream.

• Egg beater/blender
• Frying pan
• Microwave oven
• Spoon

• Use store-bought heavy cream if the recipe calls for precise ingredients, such as when making puff pastry or delicate baked goods.
• For optimal results, use a chilled metal bowl and whisk. Avoid using plastic utensils.
• Homemade heavy cream may result in a product with less fat content.
• Homemade heavy cream can alter the flavor of your dish, so ensure the substitute is something you enjoy.
• The best way to determine which substitute works for you is by experimenting with different ingredients.

• Allow the butter to cool slightly before combining it with milk. However, don't let it cool to the point where it solidifies.
• When melting butter on the stove, avoid letting it turn brown or burn. This will affect the flavor of the cream. If you accidentally burn the butter, discard it and start over with a fresh batch.