Best Substitutes for Heavy Cream
For cooking, a butter-and-milk mix comes closest; for whipping, nothing quite replaces the fat content.
Best overall swap
Milk + butter
3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup melted butter per 1 cup heavy creamWorks great in soups, sauces, and baking. Won’t whip into peaks.
All Substitutes for Heavy Cream
Milk + butter
3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup melted butter per 1 cup heavy creamWorks great in soups, sauces, and baking. Won’t whip into peaks.
Evaporated milk
1:1Good for cooking and sauces; lower fat so it won’t whip well.
Coconut cream
1:1Chill a can of full-fat coconut milk overnight and use the solid top layer — it whips and adds a mild coconut flavor.
Full-fat coconut milk
1:1Good for curries and cooking where a coconut flavor is welcome.