Half and Half vs. Heavy Cream: When to Use Which in Cooking (2024)

Most of us keep half and half and heavy cream in our fridge. But have you ever swapped one for the other, and it didn't quite work? There's a reason for that: Half and half has about half (surprise!) the milkfat as heavy cream does, which means it's a lighter product that results in a less creamy, less decadent dish.

Both half and half and heavy cream work well in beverages like coffee, tea, and smoothies—and as a creamy add-in for some recipes—but they don't always work as a one-to-one sub. We break down the unique qualities of half and half vs. heavy cream and show you how to cook with each. We also unpack the differences between half and half and light cream and explain whether fat-free half and half is worth it.

Half and Half vs. Heavy Cream

The main difference between half and half and heavy cream is their milk fat content. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires that half and half, which is equal parts heavy cream and milk, contains between 10.5 and 18 percent milk fat. This gives half and half a less creamy, more watery texture than heavy cream.

Heavy cream, on the other hand, is a thicker, richer product that must have at least 36 percent milk fat. This double dose of milk fat—compared to half and half—makes heavy cream thicker, creamier, and richer.

Substitutions

Half and half and heavy cream are interchangeable in a savory recipe like mashed potatoes or , although the consistency and richness of your dish may vary based on which type of cream you use.

If you want to turn one type of cream into the other to have the recipe be more exact, here's how:

How to Make Half and Half With Heavy Cream

If you have heavy cream and milk on hand but need half and half, it's an easy fix.

To make 1 cup of half and half:

1. Combine ½ cup heavy cream and ½ cup milk in a small mixing bowl.
2. Mix using a whisk.

We told you it was easy! This DIY version is identical to store-bought for any recipe that calls for half and half. Or use this cream in your daily cup of joe.

How to Make Heavy Cream With Half and Half

Yes, you can go the other way and turn half and half into heavy cream. All you need is unsalted butter to up the fat content of the half and half, which lends that dairy creaminess.

To make 1 cup of heavy cream:

1. In a small mixing bowl, melt ¼ cup unsalted butter.
2. Whisk in ¾ cup half and half.
3. Allow the cream to cool.
   

Half and Half vs. Light Cream

There's even less difference between half and half and light cream than between half and half and heavy cream. The FDA dictates that light cream contains between 18 and 30 percent milk fat, meaning it's a bit fattier than half and half (which has between 10.5 and 18 percent milk fat). In contrast, light cream is not as rich and creamy as heavy cream.

Using Light Cream Instead of Half and Half

Half and half and light cream are highly interchangeable. Like half and half, light cream is a perfect coffee add-in. It's also great as a drizzle over mixed berries and as a substitute for whole milk in our glazed cake donuts recipe.

The low milkfat content in light cream means that it can't be whisked into fluffy whipped cream and shouldn't be used in dishes that are heated for long periods because the cream could curdle.

What Is Fat-Free Half and Half?

While fat-free half and half may seem like a healthy alternative, its name is deceiving. It usually contains fat-free milk and cream but also corn syrup, artificial colors, and a handful of chemicals not normally found in regular half and half.

Fat-free half and half has about half the calories of regular half and half and one less gram of sugar per serving. Fewer calories and zero fat may leave you feeling guilt-free, but the fat-free version's half-dozen additives make us inclined to recommend the real deal.