13 Perfect Cream Substitute For Milk That You Must Try

Milk is a common ingredient that we use every day, whether that is drinking it, or adding it to your cooking and baking.

You can even add it to something like cereal to moisten the dry ingredients to make it more appetizing (or to drink that leftover chocolate milk).

No matter how much you use it and where, the fact is, milk is very versatile. When it comes to cooking, you can add it to a plethora of things from bakes and sauces.

However, just because milk is a common ingredient, it actually doesn’t mean that you will have to hand.

This could be because of a number of reasons: the milk has turned sour, you have run out, or you don’t drink milk due to diet reasons or allergies.

Whilst you can just pop to the grocery store to buy more, sometimes you are halfway through a recipe when you find out that there is no milk left.

 So, what can you do if you run out of milk and need it for cooking or baking? Find a substitute using cream of course, or even various other things.

In this article we shall be taking a look at how you can substitute various creamy liquids to be used instead of milk.

So, let’s get to it!

Best Cream Substitutes For Milk

1. Heavy Cream As A Substitute For Milk

You probably won’t be surprised to know, but cream can be a great substitute for milk. Often referred to as a heavy cream, it is usually a staple in many kitchens and can be used if you need milk but don’t have any available.

Because it is heavy cream, it is quite high in fat content, however the pros outweigh the cons due to it having such a creamy texture and taste. This makes it wonderful to use, especially within baking.

How To Substitute

Heavy cream can be used in recipes that need fat as it is a substitute because of its high fat content. For this reason, add it to the likes of homemade butter, soups and delicious sauces. To use, half a cup worth of heavy cream equals one cup of milk.

2. Heavy Whipping Cream

Not only is heavy whipping cream high in fat, it also tastes delicious and creamy too making it a really good substitute for milk. 

Also, if you are following a keto diet, then heavy whipping cream is a good alternative to regular milk because of its similarities in taste.

However, whipping cream does have a lot of fat, in fact, ten times the amount than regular milk which only has 3.5 percent.

For this reason, if you do want to make milk out of heavy whipping cream, you will want to lower the fat to achieve a milk substitute, and to reach that desired milk-like flavor.

How To Substitute

To create a milk substitution using heavy whipping cream, you will need to add water and sugar to the cream. To do this, you first need to lower the fat content of the whipping cream by adding water in it. Because heavy whipping cream is so easy to make into milk, you can also use a sweetener instead of sugar.

RELATED: 9 Best Malt Milk Powder Substitutes

3. Dilute The Cream

If you need a lighter texture, then diluting cream is an option, however you need to be careful with this one. That is because if you dilute the cream too much, it will just turn into a watery liquid. 

Keeping the ratio between the both when mixing will help to avoid this from happening. Also, do keep in mind that when milk is used in a recipe, it normally isn’t to flavor the dish or bake because milk is often flavorless. 

So, keep that in mind as cream can make a recipe creamy. The richer the cream is, the creamier it will taste. So this can affect the overall flavor of the dish.

How To Substitute

To dilute cream, you need to avoid it becoming watery. To do this, mix an equal amount of water and cream that amounts to what you need for the recipe. If the fat content of the cream is high, diluting the cream will not lessen the fat content. So if you are looking to lower the amount of fat within a dish or bake, think about using reduced fat cream if you have it.

4. Milk Powder

If you don’t have any milk available, but would like to use milk rather than cream, then a milk powder is a great alternative. It is made by taking away all the liquid present to create a solid and dry texture. 

The reason it is so good to have powdered milk in your pantry is because it can last much, much longer than regular milk, and it still adds a level of creaminess into dishes.

Not only that, you can add it into drinks such as a protein shake or milkshake. 

How To Substitute

When you are using milk powder as a substitute, you will want to make sure you mix it straight into a recipe. To know the correct amount, follow the guidelines on the packaging. If you are going to use it as is, then you will need to mix equal parts of powder to water to create milk.

RELATED: 6 Substitutes For Sweetened Condensed Milk For Your Sweet Recipes

5. Half Cream And Half Milk

Whilst the half and half does include milk, it is really good for recipes that require a high fat content. For example, you can use it in gravy and soups for a delicious thicker texture. Not only that, it is less likely to curdle when the milk is boiling away.

How To Substitute

To create this full milk alternative, you will need equal amounts of three quarters of a cup of both milk and water. However, add in a quarter cup for every other cup of milk which is being replaced. The water that is added to this mixture will help to keep all that original fat content down, but it won’t change how the mixture works alongside any recipes.

6. Non-Dairy Milk

If you are just looking for ways to drink a creamy substitute to milk, then a non-dairy alternative could be the way to go. This is especially true if you are intolerant to dairy which is still present in cream.

There are many to choose from such as almond and soya, to oats and cashews. When it comes to picking the right one for you, always check the fat content and how it works with what you are using the ‘milk’ for.

For example, not every milk alternative works in hot water or a recipe. When it comes to oat milk, there are various types available.

Some may suit adding to a milkshake or pouring over your cereal, whilst there are also barista additions that have extra ingredients to be used in something like a coffee.

How To Substitute

Most milk alternatives can be used in cooking and baking. You will simply need to find the flavor and type that suits the dish or bake that you are planning to create. You won’t need to do anything to change the milk either, as it will be ready to use. Be wary of extra sugar and salt added, as well as extra ingredients that may have been included

7. Soy Milk And Olive Oil

One can substitute milk with soy milk with olive oil by heating the soy milk and olive oil in a pan over medium heat.

Once the soy milk has reached a boil, please remove it from the heat and add the olive oil. It will give the soy milk a creamy texture and a slightly nutty flavor.

How To Substitute

Mix 2/3 cup soy milk with 1/3 cup olive oil to replace 1 cup of heavy cream. In baking and cooking, this stand-in adds flavor and tenderness.

8. Greek Yogurt And Milk

To substitute milk with Greek yogurt and milk, first, choose a high-quality Greek yogurt that is rich and thick. Then, add an equal amount of milk to the yogurt and stir until combined.

If the mixture is too thick, add more milk until it reaches the desired consistency. Use this mixture in place of milk in any recipe, or enjoy it as a healthy and delicious snack.

How To Substitute

Use greek yogurt and milk in equal quantity and replace it with milk in a 1:1 ratio. To use it for baking, add some sugar to it.

9. Cream Cheese

If you want to substitute milk with cream cheese, you can do so in several ways. The easiest way is to make a sandwich with cream cheese and pour milk over the top.

In this way, the sandwich has milk and cream cheese flavors. You can also use a different type of milk, such as almond or coconut milk, to get the cream cheese flavor.

You may also substitute milk with cream cheese in recipes so that your vegan diet is still nutritionally complete.

How To Substitute

You may use cheese cream in equal amounts in soup and sauces.

10. Coconut Cream

If you’re looking for a dairy-free alternative to milk, try coconut cream. Coconut cream is made by extracting the meat of a mature coconut and blending it with water.

It’s thick, creamy, and has a slightly sweet flavor that goes well in coffee, baking, and smoothies. You can find coconut cream in the Asian section of most grocery stores.

How To Substitute

Use coconut cream in your recipe in a 1:1 ratio.

11. Mascarpone Cheese

You can substitute milk with Mascarpone Cheese to create a creamy, savory sauce that pairs well with vegetables. Mascarpone is a soft, creamy cheese with a sweet, nutty flavor.

It is often used in desserts, sauces, and sauces. For example, you can substitute milk for Mascarpone in sauces to create a creamy, smooth, and tangy flavor.

How To Substitute

For the best result, start by adding it to your recipe in small quantities and increase it as per the requirement.

12. Sour Cream

Sour cream is a perfect substitute for those who are lactose intolerant or do not want to consume dairy products. Not only is it delicious, but it is also a healthier alternative to milk.

Sour cream is a thick, creamy, fermented dairy product popular in Latin American, Asian, and European cuisines.

It has a strong, slightly tangy flavor that you can use to add flavor and texture to dishes. You can use sour cream in place of milk in many recipes.

How To Substitute

If you want to try it, start by adding one cup of sour cream to one cup of milk. You can then add this mixture to whatever you would like.

13. Heavy Cream Powder

Heavy cream powder can be an excellent substitute for milk in many recipes. It is a concentrated form of milk that has been dried and ground into a powder.

The heavy cream powder is good to be in many different recipes. For example, you may use it in baking to make cream soups or a dairy-free version of heavy cream.

When substituting for milk, it is essential to remember that the powder is more concentrated than milk. Therefore, you may need to adjust the number of other ingredients in the recipe accordingly.

How To Substitute

To use it, mix the powder with an equal amount of water. For example, if a recipe calls for 1 cup of milk, you mix 1 cup of water with 1/4 cup of heavy cream powder.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cream The Same As Milk?

Cream and milk are two different types of dairy products. The cream is made by whipping it from milk, which is usually used as a topping on desserts. Milk is the liquid from a cow’s udder and is used in many different ways, such as drinking, cooking, and making cheese.

Is Cream Healthier Than Milk?

The answer is no, and cream is not healthier than milk. The cream has a higher fat content than milk, a form of dairy containing fat in its composition. However, the cream is a lot richer in nutrients and is often used as a base for making various dishes.

Can You Substitute Light Cream For Whole Milk?

It’s easy to find light cream in grocery stores. The most common ingredients for light cream are skim milk and cream, which can substitute for the other. Whole milk has a higher fat content and can be used in cooking.

You may substitute some light cream for whole milk, but it will be less rich. Light cream is less dense than whole milk, and the fat molecules are not as large as whole milk.

Substituting Cream For Milk: Everything You Need To Know

Prep time

2

hours 

Cooking time

20

minutes

Total time

2

hours 

20

minutes

In this article, we take a look at how to use the cream as a milk substitute, as well as other non-milk alternatives

Ingredients

•  Heavy Cream

• Heavy Whipping Cream

• Dilute The Cream

• Milk Powder

• Half Cream And Half Milk

• Non-Dairy Milk

• Soy Milk And Olive Oil

• Greek Yogurt And Milk

• Cream Cheese

• Coconut Cream

• Mascarpone Cheese

• Sour Cream

• Heavy Cream Powder

Directions

• Choose your favorite substitute from the list given above
• Follow the directions given in the recipe after having substituted the ingredient in the correct ratio

Recipe Video

• Author
• Recent Posts

Jess Smith

Hi, my name is Jess Smith, and I love cooking in my spare time. Around three years ago, I decided to give up my day job as a teacher to pursue my passion for food. While I have enjoyed sharing tips and tricks on Social Media, I have decided to expand my horizons through this blog.

Through this blog I hope to help others learn the basics and more intricate details of cooking. I know from personal experience how frustrating it can be to cook a meal, only to realize you are missing one ingredient from your list. This is why I love to write articles chatting readers through some great substitutes that can be used in an emergency.

I hope you will find this blog useful, and that it will help you to develop your culinary skills, to help you cook up a storm!

Latest posts by Jess Smith (see all)

• Top Main Differences Between Tagliatelle And Fettuccine Pasta - March 10, 2023
• The Main Differences Between Red And Green Jalapeno Peppers - March 10, 2023
• Perfect Griddle Cakes To Make Simply Delicious Recipes For The Meal - March 9, 2023