The Truth About Heavy Cream vs. Heavy Whipping Cream

Ever found yourself standing in the dairy aisle, staring at the bottles of heavy cream vs. heavy whipping cream, wondering what the actual difference is? You’re not alone! Both are creamy, rich, and delicious, but there’s a subtle difference that could make all the difference in your recipes. Let's break it down in a way that makes sense for your next dish!

What’s the Difference Between Heavy Cream vs. Heavy Whipping Cream?

Here’s the deal: both heavy cream and heavy whipping cream come from the same place (the fatty part of milk), but they’re not exactly the same. Heavy cream has a little more milk fat—about 36% to 40%, while heavy whipping cream has 30% to 36% fat. So, heavy cream is a bit thicker and richer than its whipping counterpart.

Now, this difference might not be huge, but it can affect your recipe. Heavy whipping cream whips up more easily and holds its shape longer, making it the perfect choice for whipped cream or topping a dessert. Heavy cream, on the other hand, is ideal for cooking—think rich, creamy sauces or dreamy soups.

Jump to:

• What’s the Difference Between Heavy Cream vs. Heavy Whipping Cream?
• How to Use Heavy Cream + Heavy Whipping Cream
• Heavy Whipping Cream Substitute
• How To Best Store Heavy Cream & Heavy Whipping Cream
• How To Make Whipped Cream With Heavy Cream
• Ingredients
• Delicious Recipes With Heavy Cream & Heavy Whipping Cream
• DID THIS HELP IN ANY WAY?

How to Use Heavy Cream + Heavy Whipping Cream

If you’re wondering when to use each, here’s the scoop:

• Heavy whipping cream is your go-to if you want to make homemade whipped cream or add some creamy goodness to desserts like mousses and ice creams. It’s also perfect for adding a touch of richness to coffee or hot chocolate!
• Heavy cream is better suited for savory dishes. Think creamy soups, rich pasta sauces, or custards. It’s thicker and gives dishes that luxurious, velvety texture.

In many cases, you can swap them out for each other, but keep in mind that heavy whipping cream will be lighter and a bit more airy, while heavy cream will add a deeper, richer feel to your dish.

Heavy Whipping Cream Substitute

If you’re in need of a heavy whipping cream substitute, you’ve got plenty of options depending on what you're making!

• Half-and-half + butter. For a quick fix, mix ¾ cup of half-and-half with ¼ cup of melted butter. This creates a rich, creamy substitute that’s perfect for sauces, soups, or baking.
• Coconut cream. A great dairy-free alternative, coconut cream is thick and creamy with a subtle coconut flavor. It’s ideal for desserts, curries, and even coffee for a tropical twist.
• Greek yogurt + milk. Mix Greek yogurt with a little milk to create a lighter, creamy option. This works well for lighter sauces, dressings, or adding tang to your dishes.
• Silken tofu + soy milk. For a completely plant-based option, blend silken tofu with soy milk. It creates a smooth, creamy texture perfect for soups, sauces, or even as a whipped topping.
• Evaporated milk. A pantry staple, evaporated milk can replace heavy cream in many recipes. It’s a bit thinner but still rich enough for cooking or baking.

Each of these substitutes brings its own unique twist, so feel free to experiment depending on the flavor or texture you're aiming for!

How To Best Store Heavy Cream & Heavy Whipping Cream

To keep heavy cream and heavy whipping cream fresh, always store them in the fridge, tightly sealed in their original container. Make sure to check the expiration date and use them before it passes for the best taste and texture. If you've opened the container, try to use it within 7-10 days.

If you have leftover cream, you can freeze it for up to 2 months. Just be aware that it may separate when thawed, but you can shake or stir it back together. For long-term storage, freezing is a good option, but keep in mind that the texture might change slightly when reheated or used in certain dishes.

How To Make Whipped Cream With Heavy Cream

It’s super easy—just three ingredients! I went with vanilla for this batch, but you can totally switch things up with other extracts to make it your own. For more details see my full Homemade Whipped Cream recipe.

Ingredients

WHIPPED CREAM:

• Heavy cream. I love using organic wherever possible for the best quality. Make sure it's VERY COLD!
• Powdered sugar. Again I chose organic but you can use whatever you have on hand.
• Vanilla extract. Use pure vanilla extract for the best vanilla flavor.

INSTRUCTIONS

Make sure your cream is SUPER COLD straight from the fridge, and have your mixing bowl and either an electric stand mixer or a hand mixer ready to go!

• In the bowl of an electric stand mixer on medium-high speed, whip together the heavy cream and powdered sugar (using the whisk attachment for 4-5 minutes) until fluffy peaks begin to form. NOTE: When it begins to thicken after the first 2-3 minutes, gradually add in the vanilla extract.
• Once fully fluffy, remove from mixer bowl and store in an airtight container and refrigerate to keep chilled.

THAT'S A WRAP!

Now that you’re armed with the know-how about heavy cream vs. heavy whipping cream, you can tackle any recipe that comes your way! Whether you're whipping up a luscious dessert like cheesecake or creating a creamy sauce, knowing the differences will help you get the best results. And if you ever run out, you’ve got plenty of great substitutes to keep things creamy and delicious!

Delicious Recipes With Heavy Cream & Heavy Whipping Cream

• Funfetti Cake Ice Cream
• Garlic Butter Salmon + Lobster in Creamy Lemon Parmesan Sauce
• Creamy Garlic Chicken Gnocchi Soup
• Iced Vanilla Sweet Cream Latte
• My Fave Childhood Banana Split
• Delicious Southern Smothered Chicken
• Cinnamon Toast Crunch cereal + French toast
• Perfect Lemon Blueberry Cheesecake

DID THIS HELP IN ANY WAY?

If you've given any of these Heavy Cream vs. Heavy Whipping Cream recipesa try or given any recipes on my website a go, I'd truly appreciate it if you could share your experience by leaving a ⭐ star rating and dropping your thoughts in the 📝  comments below. Your feedback means a lot, and I love hearing from you on your wellness journey!

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