A lot of recipes call for ‘heavy cream’, in particular if the recipe is on an American website. So why can’t we find this heavy cream in the dairy aisles of Australian supermarkets?
Well, you actually can, but the product is often known as thickened cream.
Here we explain exactly what the differences are so you can get the right cream for your recipe!
What is heavy cream in Australia?
The US version of heavy cream is often labelled as ‘thickened cream’ in Australia. So, if a recipe is calling for heavy cream, you just need to look for thickened cream.
You can also look for double cream depending on what you’re cooking.
Thickened cream is indeed heavy, with a minimum fat content of 35%, but it still doesn’t quite pack the same punch as double cream which has a hefty 46% fat.
Thickened cream and double cream
Both thickened cream and double cream are ideal for whipping due to their richness. They also freeze and boil well making them a versatile cooking ingredient.
Although thickened cream contains less fat, it often contains additives like gelatine and vegetable gums to help the cream stiffen when whipped. These ingredients also help to reduce chances of curdling when the cream is heated.
Where can I buy thickened cream?
Thickened cream is readily available in Australian supermarkets such as Coles, Woolworths, IGA and Aldi.
What are some substitutes for heavy cream?
If you can’t find thickened cream or are just looking for a substitute, here are some you can consider:
- Milk and butter. Mix ¾ cup milk and ¼ melted butter. Although it won’t whip, it will work well in any recipe that calls for heavy cream.
- Evaporated milk. If the recipe calls for thickened cream as a liquid, this is a great substitute.
- Cream cheese. While this is too heavy to whip, you can use it as a thickening agent for foods like soups and sauces.
- Soy milk and olive oil. While this will not whip well, combining 2/3 cup of soy milk and 1/3 cup of olive oil is a good heavy cream substitute in cooking and baking.
- Greek yoghurt and milk. This is a healthy option and also is a great thickening agent. Just use equal parts of both to create the mixture.
Related stories
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
Native ad body.
