Whipped cream is a liquid heavy cream, sometimes called heavy whipped cream, that is made by whisking or mixing heavy cream until it becomes light and fluffy. Whipped cream is usually sweetened with sugar and added with vanilla extract. It is used as a toppings in desserts. But how can you make whipped cream without heavy cream. In this post, we will teach you how you can make whipped cream without heavy cream and we will also be talking about good heavy cream substitutes. Read on below to know more.
Make Whipped Cream Without Heavy Cream
Heavy Cream Substitute
If you need a delicious whipped cream toppings for your desserts and you are unable to make one because you lack heavy cream. Not to worry, you can use these 3 ingredients as an alternative to heavy cream: Milk, butter and Powdered sugar. Vanilla extract is optional.
For the butter, make sure to use unsalted butter because it only contains low fat content. Do not use margarine to substitute for the butter.
For the milk, whole milk or full fat milk is recommended. Whole or full fat milks is best when combined with butter to create a richer and more creamier heavy cream alternative.
Milk and heavy cream differs with their fat content, creams has high level of saturated fat of about 35% than whole milk which is only about 3.5%.
Next is the butter. It is mixed with milk so that there will enough saturated fat. The fat content of Butter is about 80%, more than enough to increase the fat content of the heavy cream substitute.
Whipped cream is perfect for desserts and frosting cakes. For savory dishes, you can substitute heavy cream with cream milk, skim milk, cream cheese, yogurt and sour cream.
Equipment needed for making alternative to heavy cream:
- Small pot: it is used to melt the butter using a stove or a microwave safe container (when microwave is used to melt the butter)
- Glass bowl: the size of the bowl depends on the amount of heavy cream you plan to make.
- Whisk or stand mixer or an electric mixer: either of the 3. This will mix the melted butter and the milk.
- Sieve or Sifter: use for your powdered sugar.
- Measuring cups and spoons
Make your own homemade Heavy Cream substitute
To make alternative to heavy cream, first is you have to gather all the ingredients: Butter (unsalted), Milk (Whole milk or Full fat milk), salt, powdered sugar and vanilla (optional)
In making a substitute for heavy cream you will need either a glass bowl and a pot or a double boiler. To do this, simply bring water to boil. This will warm the glass bowl. Then put butter in the glass bot and allow to melt. Remove the bowl from the flame and start whisking butter until it completely melts.
Next is to gradually pour milk moderately and slowly while at the same time still whisking the butter. Continue mixing the mixture for 5 minutes until an emulsion of formed. And there you have it, simply and easy way of making an alternative to heavy cream for your whipped cream.
If you want heavy cream to be extra sweet, you can add powdered sugar. Also, powdered sugar contains starch that’ll help to thicken your homemade heavy cream. For added flavoring, you also have the option to add vanilla extract, or you can also use caramel or lemon flavored extract to your whipped cream.
The recommended ratio (for best results) of milk to melted butter is 2/3: 1/3 cup.
Now that you already have a heavy cream, it’s about time to use the heavy cream substitute to make Whipped cream:
After making the heavy cream, allow the mixture of the milk and butter to cool down for at least 5 minutes. Once cooled down, you can add powdered sugar, a pinch of salt and vanilla if you like.
If you are wondering why do you need to use powdered sugar for whipped cream. As previously mentioned, powdered sugar contains starch or tapioca starch that binds liquids together.
When using a mixer, before pouring the mixture to the bowl on the mixer gently whisk the ingredients first. With the whisk attachment of the mixer, you should start it slow and then turning the speed to high. The mixture starts to thicken after whisking for 4-5 minutes. But if after 5 minutes and the mixture still does not thicken, you can gradually add more powdered sugar until the desired consistency is achieved.
When mixing using your hands holding a whisker, the bowl where the butter was melted can still be used. Once the ingredients are all gathered, start whisking using a whisker on your hands. The mixture starts to thicken with this method in about 7 minutes of continuous mixing. If after 7 minutes of whisking and the mixture does not thicken, place the bowl with ingredients inside the fridge to cool down (for 5 minutes). Then whisk the mixture again.
If the 3 main ingredients are also not available, you can also use their alternative such as:
For Butter
When you mix milk and yogurt together by simply whisking them until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Add sugar to sweeten.
Evaporated milk can also be used as an alternative to butter by whisking the evaporated milk with sugar until it becomes creamy and thick. Vanilla extract if you want some added flavor.
Coconut milk can be used for dairy-free alternative. But just make sure that full fat coconut milk is used. You can simply mix the milk and the sugar in a bowl, then place inside the fridge for at least an hour or until it thickens.
For Milk
If whole milk or full fat milk is not available, you can use coconut milk as it has the same consistency as that of a heavy cream or yogurt instead.
Powdered Sugar
You can easily make homemade granulated sugar when you break down those sugar cubes. Though, you can also use a more easy to find option which is honey.
If honey is not available, you can alternatively use maple syrup instead.
Homemade Whipped cream recipe without Heavy Cream
In making whipped cream when heavy cream is not available, try this whipped cream recipe below that uses two simple methods: bowl and whisk method and Stand mixer method. Though the two methods have basically the same procedure, the only difference if the method used for whisking the mixture.
Ingredients:
- 3/4 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup butter
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- Salt to taste (if unsalted butter is used)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla (optional)
Instructions:
Bowl and Whisk Method:
- On a double boiler, melt butter on a heatproof bowl until it becomes almost melted.
- Remove the glass bowl from the heat and start to whisk the butter until completely melted.
- Gradually pour milk to the bowl with melted butter. Make sure that you are still whisking the butter while adding milk. Continue whisking for 5 minutes
- Allow mixture of milk and butter to cool down. (at least 5 minutes)
- Mix again for another 5 to 7 minutes. If the desired thickens of the mixture is not achieved, place the bowl with the mixture inside the refrigerator to cool it down for at least 5 minutes.
- After 5 minutes, remove from fridge and start whisking again until it thickens.
Stand Mixer Method
- On a double boiler, melt butter on a heatproof bowl until it becomes almost melted.
- Remove the bowl from the heat and start to whisk the butter until completely melted.
- Gradually pour milk to the bowl with melted butter. Make sure that you are still whisking the butter while adding milk. Continue whisking for 5 minutes
- Allow mixture of milk and butter to cool down. (at least 5 minutes)
- Pour mixture into the stand mixer’s mixing bowl.
- Start mixing by starting the speed to slow then gradually increase the speed up to high until desired consistency is achieved.
- If it does not thicken, add more powdered sugar one tablespoon at a time until the consistency of the mixture is achieved.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you do not have a whipped cream available, you can use banana as whipped cream substitute. To turn it into a whipped cream, you will be needing riped bananas, egg whites and powdered sugar. Using the banana as a substitute will not only substitute the thickness of the cream but can also add banana flavors to your desserts.
Yes, you can use regular milk to make your homemade heavy cream for your whipped cream.
Yes, condensed milk can be used but there are a few things that you need to remember such as: Condense milk is more sweeter than heavy cream therefore be mindful of the amount of sugar you add to your whipped cream, and condensed milk has a thicker consistency than heavy cream so the result would be a more heavier and richer heavy cream substitute.
The butter must be completely melted when you mix the milk and butter to make a heavy cream. Completed melted but not scalding hot. Also, while in the process of whisking the milk and butter you can gradually add the remaining ingredients such as the salt, powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
Summary
After reading this post, you will now have an idea on how to make your homemade whipped cream even without heavy cream on hand. When making heavy cream at home, you can either use the two methods: stand mixer method and whisk by hand method. Make sure to invest in a good quality whisker.
Milk and Butter are the main ingredients to making heavy cream substitute for your whipped cream. Additional ingredients includes salt when unsalted butter is used, powdered sugar and vanilla extract. However, if one of the ingredients is not available there is also a list of alternatives for each ingredient.
There are instances wherein you need to find or look for substitute for an ingredient if it is not available on hand. Although the substitutes mentioned will result to a fluffy cream, there is no alternative for the right texture and consistency that an original heavy cream does.