Heavy cream is a type of cream that contains 36 percent milk fat. It’s famous for use in desserts and other recipes, but it can be expensive to buy.

But what do you do when you’re out of heavy cream? There are many substitutes to choose from, but only some will give you the same results.

Here are substitutes that work well in place of heavy cream.

1. Half-and-Half

This product is made by combining whole milk and cream. It has 12 percent milk fat, so it’s not as thick as heavy cream but still adds richness to your dish. It’s also less expensive than heavy cream, which makes it a good option if you’re on a budget.

2. Milk

Milk is another alternative that works well when you want to replace heavy cream in your recipes. You can use whole milk or 2 percent low-fat milk if you prefer something lighter tasting or skim milk if you want something even lighter in calories with fewer nutrients.

3. Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk is another option for replacing heavy cream because it contains 30 percent milkfat — just like heavy cream does! However, evaporated milk has about half the calories and carbohydrates of regular milk because most of its water content has been removed during processing (which also helps make it shelf-stable).

The difference between evaporated milk and heavy cream is that evaporated milk contains less water, so it has less fat per serving — but it still tastes good in coffee!

4. Buttermilk

Buttermilk has a similar consistency to heavy cream, so it’s often used in baking and cooking. However, buttermilk can also be used in place of heavy whipping cream in some recipes because they both have the same fat content (approximately 35 percent).

5. Sour cream

Sour cream is an excellent substitute for heavy cream in many recipes, especially those that use sour cream as an ingredient. It is thicker than milk and has a more distinctive flavor than milk, so it won’t completely replace the taste of heavy cream in your recipe.

6. Yogurt

Yogurt can be used to substitute for heavy cream if you prefer a thicker consistency in your recipe. However, yogurt contains less fat than heavy cream and may not be as effective at thickening certain sauces or soups.

7. Nonfat milk

Nonfat milk has about half the calories of whole milk and very little fat — so it makes an excellent substitute for heavy cream in low-calorie recipes. It also has fewer carbs than skim milk.

8. Soy Milk

Soy milk is an excellent substitute for heavy cream, as it’s relatively low in calories and has a similar consistency when whipped. It’s important to note that soy milk contains less fat than regular milk, so adjust other ingredients accordingly if you want to use it as an equal substitute.

Soy milk has less protein than cow’s milk and may not work as well if you’re making a custard recipe or something where protein coagulation is essential to the final product.

9. Cashew Cream

Cashews are among the most popular nuts used in vegan cooking because they make great substitutions for dairy products like butter and cheese. Cashew cream is another great substitute for heavy cream because it adds thickness and richness to recipes without adding dairy products.

10. Light cream (18% fat)

Light cream doesn’t have as much fat as heavy cream, but it still has more than whole milk or evaporated milk; light cream has about 18 percent butterfat. It’s often used in coffee drinks like lattes because it creates a nice foam when steamed with espresso machine steamers.

11. Almond milk (unsweetened)

Almond milk is a good substitute for heavy cream because it has a similar texture and consistency. It also has a milder flavor than other dairy alternatives like soy or coconut milk. You can use almond milk to replace heavy cream in cakes, puddings, soups, and sauces.

Just be sure to look for unsweetened almond milk. The sweetened varieties will add unnecessary sugar to your recipe!

12. Coconut milk or cream (unsweetened)

Coconut cream is often used in Thai cooking as a substitute for dairy products like cream or milk due to its thick consistency and rich flavor. Using coconut cream works well with curries or desserts like ice cream where other ingredients don’t mask its unique flavor profile. However, it’s not recommended as an equal substitute because coconut cream doesn’t have the same nutritional value as heavy cream (it has far less fat).

13. Greek yogurt (plain)

Greek yogurt is thick and rich so it can substitute for heavy cream in many recipes. It’s also a good source of protein and calcium.

Greek yogurt is strained to remove much of the liquid whey (the byproduct of curdling) from it, giving it a thicker consistency than regular yogurt. It usually has a more tart taste than regular yogurt. This is because, during the straining process, more acid develops in the whey; this increases the sourness and gives Greek yogurt a tangy flavor.

As an ingredient, Greek yogurt can be substituted for cream in many recipes without affecting the flavor or texture of the finished dish. It will also reduce calories and fat content compared to heavy cream in some cases.

14. Sour cream

Sour cream is an excellent substitute for heavy cream because it’s rich and creamy — but it’s also much less expensive. You can use sour cream as a substitute in most recipes that call for heavy cream or half-and-half. Sour cream has a slightly acidic taste, which helps cut through richness in dishes like enchiladas, soups, and casseroles.

15. Latte creamer

If you’re in a hurry and need to make something creamy, use coffee creamer instead. It’s much easier than making your sauce. You can also use it in place of heavy cream in recipes that call for milk or half-and-half.

16. Cream cheese

Cream cheese makes an excellent substitute for heavy cream when making dips or sauces. It’s also great for adding flavor to baked goods like cheesecake or brownies!

17. Skim milk

Skim milk has all the water removed from whole milk, leaving behind all of the protein and very little fat or cholesterol (about 0 grams per cup). It is often used to substitute whole milk in recipes that call for reduced fat. If you want to reduce the calories further, use nonfat skim instead.

18. Rice Milk

Rice milk has a texture very similar to heavy cream to be used in various recipes. It’s also naturally sweet, making it a good substitute for people with diabetes.