I have a few recipes I use (and love) that require heavy cream. The problem I have is even if I buy the smallest carton I never use it all. Then it sits in my fridge and goes bad because I just don't use it enough. So my options for so long have been to just not make those recipes that my hubby doesn't like because one of them is his favorite (fettucini alfredo). That is how I found this Heavy Cream Substitute.
Easy 2 Ingredient Heavy Cream Substitute
So I went on a hunt. I started with what I can do with the extra cream maybe the next day. All I really come up with was desserts and when you are trying to lose weight from having a baby that isn't the best idea.
So my next thought was finding a way to substitute the heavy cream with items I have on hand all the time. I tried a few recipes and I used my hubby as a guinea pig without him knowing. My goal was to find one that I can make hubby's fettucini alfredo and he was not able to tell that there is a difference. This one was the winner!
I used whole milk but a friend of mine said if you use low-fat milk to add in some flour and it works the same. So I added note down there.
Is whipping cream and heavy cream the same?
They have the same fat percent so yes they are basically the same thing and can be used interchangeably.
What is heavy cream used for?
It's used in recipes like Fettucini Alfredo, or anything with a cream sauce. It is also used in many desserts and to make whipped cream.
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How to Make Heavy Cream Substitute
First, melt the butter. You can do this a few ways. I melt butter in the microwave heating it for 10 seconds at a time. You could also melt the butter on the stove over medium heat.
Whichever way you choose, make sure to cut the butter into pieces so it melts faster and watch it carefully it burns fast! In the microwave it pops then you have a mess to clean up!
Next, pour the melted butter into the milk, and stir it well.
If you used low or skim milk your substitute will be thinner then normal. You can add in some flour (about a tablespoon) to thicken it up. Use this substitute in places of 1 cup of heavy cream in your favorite recipes.
What are your favorite recipes you would use this Heavy Cream Substitute in? Let us know in the comments below!
Heavy Cream Substitute

Stop buying heavy whipping cream and make this Heavy Cream Substitute at home. This saves so much from going to waste as well.
Ingredients
Instructions
- First, melt the butter. Melt butter in the microwave heating it for 10 seconds at a time. You could also melt the butter on the stove over medium heat. Be sure to cut the butter into pieces so it melts faster and watch it carefully it burns fast! In the microwave it pops then you have a mess to clean up!
- Next, pour the melted butter into the milk, and stir it well.
- If you used low or skim milk your substitute will be thinner then normal. You can add in some flour (about a tablespoon) to thicken it up. Use this substitute in places of 1 cup of heavy cream in your favorite recipes.
Nutrition Information
Yield
2Serving Size
1 gramsAmount Per Serving Unsaturated Fat 0g
I’ve used this same substitute with great results! Only, now that I’m addicted to a cup
Of red tea with a splash of maple and cream, I always seem to have cream around 😉 When I make this substitute, I usually blend it with the stick blender, but it really doesn’t matter I’m recipes (and it eventually becomes de-emulsified) anyway.
Heavy cream has a really long shelf life, like 6 weeks or more. Surely you can make that Alfredo once a month! LOL
It is awesome in homemade mac and cheese
Heavy Cream Substitute
Prep Time 7 hours 27 minutes
Cook Time 7 hours 27 minutes
Author Marissa
I don’t find anything in the recipe that requires 7 hours 27 minutes….
Thanks so much for this recipe! Worked really well within a Chicken Florentine recipe. I, like others, do not utilize heavy cream often enough to purchase even the smallest cartons at the grocery store, so this substitute will certainly come in handy! Ignore any of those negative comments. Your post is appreciated!