The difference between heavy cream and heavy whipping cream regularly causes confusion in the baking community, with some sources claiming they are the same, and others implying that there is a difference.
We’re here today to settle things once and for all: is heavy cream the same as heavy whipping cream? Are they different? Let’s find out.
What Is Heavy Cream?
Heavy cream is made by taking the fatty content of milk that rises to the surface before the homogenizing process. It contains between 36% and 40% fat, which is significantly more than most cream products.
Heavy cream has many uses. It’s often used to make ice cream, and it’s a common ingredient in frosting for baked goods.
This is because it’s so thick and is able to hold its shape when piped onto a surface. Another popular use for heavy cream is as a thickening agent in sauces and soups.
What Is Heavy Whipping Cream?
Heavy whipping cream is not to be confused with regular whipping cream. While whipping cream generally consists of 30% fat, heavy whipping cream has the same fat content as heavy cream: 36%.
Heavy whipping cream is also a product made from milk fat separated from milk during production.
It is a primary ingredient in both whipped cream and butter, as well as frosting and any sauce-based dish or soup that needs enriching or thickening.
Are Heavy Cream And Heavy Whipping Cream The Same?
So, as it turns out, heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are basically the same thing. Both contain the same amount of milk fat (a minimum of 36%).
Therefore, while there is an important difference in the fat content of heavy cream and regular whipping cream (which only has roughly 30% fat), the difference between the amount of fat in heavy cream and heavy whipping cream is negligible.
This means that if a recipe calls for ‘heavy whipping cream’ and you only have ‘heavy cream’ available, there’s no need to worry.
These dairy products will behave in pretty much exactly the same way, so you can easily substitute one for the other.
In fact, many people simply use ‘heavy cream’ and ‘heavy whipping cream’ as synonyms because there’s really no difference.
Heavy Cream And Heavy Whipping Cream Storage Instructions
Because heavy cream is the same as heavy whipping cream, your cream will have the same storage instructions regardless of whether it’s labeled ‘heavy whipping cream’ or ‘heavy cream’.
Because heavy cream or heavy whipping cream is a dairy product, it needs to be refrigerated whether it’s been opened or not. However, once the cream has been opened, it will expire much more quickly.
Normally, heavy whipping cream will go off in 5 to 7 days, unless the use-by date is closer than this, in which case you should always adhere to this date.
If you need to keep your heavy cream longer than this, you can freeze it for up to 4 months, but be aware that this will impact its consistency, as heavy cream destabilizes in freezing conditions and will separate during the thawing process.
Once opened, heavy cream or heavy whipping cream should always be placed in an airtight container to stop it from spoiling too fast.
Heavy Whipping Cream And Heavy Cream Nutritional Information
For every cup of heavy cream or heavy cream or heavy whipping cream, which is equal to 238 grams, the nutritional content is as follows:
809 calories
85.9 grams of fat
6.76 grams of carbohydrates
6.95 grams of sugar
6.8 grams of protein
64.3 milligrams of sodium
157 milligrams of calcium
As you can see, heavy cream is very high in fat, but it also contains other important macronutrients such as protein (it contains more protein than sugar per cup).
Additionally, key micronutrients are found in heavy cream, albeit in relatively small quantities. As a dairy product, heavy cream is quite rich in calcium.
Final Thoughts
Heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are the same thing. Both are made by taking the butterfat off the surface of milk during processing, and both have a fat content of at least 36%.
Dairy products with either of these labels can be used to thicken soups or sauces, add frosting to baked goods, or even make ice cream!
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Half-And-Half Cream?
Half-and-half cream is different from heavy cream or heavy whipping cream. It’s a 50/50 blend of cream and whole milk.
This is the go-to cream for when you want something that’s richer than plain milk, but not as fatty or thick as heavy cream.
Half-and-half cream usually has a fat percentage of at least 10.5%, but it can be as high as 18% depending on the brand you buy.
What Can I Use Instead Of Heavy Cream?
If you don’t have any heavy cream or heavy whipping cream, your substitution options will vary depending on what kind of recipe you’re following.
If you have both half-and-half cream and butter, you can combine these two ingredients to create a consistency similar to heavy cream.
The butter combines with the cream in the half-and-half and makes it thicker and creamier.
In a pinch, you could do the same thing with a mixture of milk and butter, but it may be easier to swap the heavy cream out for cream cheese or coconut cream.
Other options for replacing heavy cream in recipes include a combination of yogurt and milk, or milk and olive oil. Evaporated milk could also be used as a substitute, but the consistency will not be the same.
What Is The UK Equivalent Of Heavy Cream?
You won’t find dairy products labeled ‘heavy cream’ or ‘heavy whipping cream’ in the UK. Instead, the closest thing you’ll find is double cream.
Double cream is actually richer than heavy cream because it has a higher butterfat content of 48%.
