Half-and-half and heavy cream are each common dairy products that work well in both sweet and savory recipes.
But which one is best to cook with, and are they interchangeable?
Heres when you should use half-and-half vs. heavy cream, and when you might swap them.
What Is Half-and-Half?
Half-and-half is made by mixingwhole milkand cream.
The name suggests that whole milk and cream arealwaysused in equal parts, but thats not a hard-and-fast rule.
Federal regulations stipulate the percentage of fat in half-and-halfbetween 10.5 and 18 percent milkfatrather than the ratio of ingredients.
Mixing whole milk and cream in similar proportions generally gets you in that sweet spot, hence the name.
Popularin coffee, half-and-half is more than just a coffee creamer.
It also adds creaminess to other beverages, such as tea andsmoothies.
In cooking, half-and-half can jazz upscrambled eggs,Bolognese sauce,quiches, and more.
Its also a staple in some desserts and baked goods, such as pie fillings and puddings.
What Is Heavy Cream?
Its skimmed off before getting pasteurized (to kill bacteria) and homogenized (to prevent separation).
With its high percentage of milkfat, heavy cream is richer than all the other options, including half-and-half.
Its also a key ingredient in many desserts, such aswhipped cream,ganache, andmousse.
Since its a versatile ingredient to have on hand, heavy cream is used in savory applications too.
Its commonly found in recipes formashed potatoes, mac and cheese,pot pies, and more.
Half-and-Half vs.
Heavy Cream
The two dairy products are pretty similar, and theyve been around for ages.
The main difference between half-and-half vs heavy cream is the amount of fat.
One cup of heavy cream contains 809 calories and 86 grams of fat, per USDA data.
One cup of half-and-half contains 317 calories and 28 grams of fat, according to the USDA.
So, heavy cream has about 2.5 times the calories and triple the fat of half-and-half.
Its a versatile ingredient that addsjustthe right amount of creaminess to dishes likemashed potatoes,casseroles, andpastas.
After all, heavy cream can yield a more indulgent outcome.
Its also less likely to curdle compared to half-and-half because of its higher fat content.
If youre going for maximum creaminess, richness, and thickness, go for heavy cream.
Can I Use Heavy Cream Instead of Half-and-Half?
In many cases, yes, you could use heavy cream instead of half-and-half.
In some cases, theyre even interchangeable.
In others, it may be best to stick to one or the other.
You may even prefer the outcome, since heavy cream imparts a richer taste and creamier mouthfeel.
It will also be higher in calories and fat.
However, the reverse isnt always trueyou cant always use half-and-half instead of heavy cream.
Frequently Asked Questions
you’re able to use either one for creamy pasta sauces.
For the thickest, creamiest pasta sauce, opt for heavy cream.
Half-and-half is the more popular choice for coffeeits healthier and often cheaper.
Since it contains milk, its thinner than heavy cream.
If you want a thicker, richer cup of coffee, you may prefer a splash of heavy cream.
Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-21/chapter-I/subchapter-B/part-131/subpart-B/section-131.180
