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12 Best Double Cream Substitutes in the USA

12 Best Double Cream Substitutes in the USA

Double cream is a rich cream product made by skimming the top layer of fat off of milk. It contains at least 48% buttercream, giving it a higher fat content than most cream products on the market.

You may occasionally see recipes that call for double cream, especially if you’re making dessert. If you don’t have double cream available, what are some alternatives?

In this article, we’ll discuss the 12 Best Double Cream Substitutes in the USA.

What Are the Best Double Cream Substitutes in the USA?

Heavy cream is very similar to double cream, making it one of the best double cream substitutes. However, double cream does have a higher fat content than heavy cream. Heavy cream has a fat content of 36%, while the fat content of double cream is close to 50%.

12 Best Double Cream Substitutes in the USA
12 Best Double Cream Substitutes in the USA

With that said, heavy cream is just one of many substitutes that you can use. There are plenty of ingredients that can replace double cream in a recipe.

The 12 Best Double Cream Substitutes

1. Heavy Cream

Even though heavy cream has slightly less fat than double cream, it’s a fantastic substitute in most recipes. It can be used as a substitute in any dish that calls for double cream.

Heavy cream can serve as the cream base for a dish and can even be used to make whipped cream. It’s delicious in both sweet and savory dishes.

Heavy Cream, though it has slightly less fat than double cream, is an excellent substitute for both sweet and savory uses.
Heavy Cream, though it has slightly less fat than double cream, is an excellent substitute for both sweet and savory uses.

2. Buttermilk

If you want to cut the fat content in a recipe that calls for double cream, buttermilk is a good choice. While it’s a healthy option, you should be aware that it could slightly change the flavor of your dish.

Buttermilk contains lactic acid, which can give your dishes a tangy taste. It’s a particularly good substitute to use in baked dishes.

3. Mascarpone

Mascarpone is an Italian cheese that’s known for its rich and buttery flavor. While it won’t always work as a substitute for double cream, it can work as a substitute in dishes that use double cream as a topping.

This cheese is smooth and spreads easily, which makes it easy to work with. If you wind up with leftovers, they taste delicious when served over crackers.

Mascarpone is an Italian cheese that can work as a substitute for double cream when used as a topping.
Mascarpone is an Italian cheese that can work as a substitute for double cream when used as a topping.

4. Milk and Butter

If you don’t want to run to the grocery store, you can make a double cream substitute using the ingredients you have in your fridge. You can easily up the fat content of milk by adding butter.

To create your substitute, combine 3/4 cup of milk with 1/4 cup of butter. While you can use it as a substitute in most dishes, you won’t be able to whip the mixture you create.

5. Milk and Cornstarch

If you want a homemade substitute that’s light on fat, you can mix a small amount of cornstarch into milk to make the milk thicker. The flavor will differ from double cream, but the texture will be very similar.

Like milk and butter, you won’t be able to use this combination to create whipped cream. However, you can use it in all kinds of baked recipes.

6. Milk and Greek Yogurt

Not only is Greek yogurt high in fat, but it’s also a great source of protein. You can thin out Greek yogurt by adding some milk, turning it into a substance you can use in place of double cream.

For best results, mix equal parts milk and Greek yogurt. This substitute works well in dishes that use double cream as a thickening agent.

7. Olive Oil and Non-Dairy Milk

If you’d like to make a vegan version of a recipe that calls for double cream, you can try mixing a little olive oil into your favorite non-dairy milk. It works especially well when blended with soy milk.

You can create a substitute for 1 cup of heavy cream by mixing 3/4 cup of non-dairy milk with 1/4 cup of olive oil. It’s a fantastic substitute to use in savory dishes.

Adding olive oil to non-dairy milk like soy milk makes it an excellent vegan substitute to heavy cream in savory dishes.
Adding olive oil to non-dairy milk like soy milk makes it an excellent vegan substitute to heavy cream in savory dishes.

8. Crème Fraiche

Crème fraiche is a soured cream that can contain up to 45% butterfat. The high-fat content of this cream makes it one of the best alternatives to double cream.

Since crème Fraiche has a slightly sweet flavor, you won’t want to use it as a substitute in savory dishes. If you’re making a dessert, however, you’ll get great results if you swap out double cream for crème Fraiche.

9. Evaporated Milk

Evaporated milk is made by removing the water from the milk and heating it. It’s sold in cans and can keep for up to 12 months if a can isn’t opened.

Since it has less water than milk, it has a much thicker and creamier texture. It’s another substitute you can use if you want a low-fat alternative to double cream.

10. Coconut Cream

Even though coconut cream is made from coconuts, it’s similar to double cream. It can even be whipped like double cream, making it a terrific choice if you want to make a topping for dessert.

You can purchase coconut cream at the store, but you can also make it from coconut milk. All you have to do is chill a can of coconut milk in the refrigerator and separate the liquid from the cream.

Coconut cream is also a great substitute for double cream.
Coconut cream is also a great substitute for double cream.

11. Cream Cheese

Cream cheese is made from milk and cream, which means it works well as a replacement for double cream. Although it can’t be whipped, it can be used in sweet and savory dishes.

If you opt to use cream cheese in a dish, it’s best to let it soften first. You’ll get better results if the cream cheese is at room temperature when you cook with it.

12. Butter and Half-and-Half

Half-and-half is much lower in fat than double cream, but you can make it fattier and creamier by mixing in some butter. If you’re making a sauce or a soup that calls for double cream, you can also use half-and-half without adding butter.

If you need butter, add 1/8 cup of melted butter to 7/8 cup of half-and-half. Once you increase the fat content of your half-and-half, it can even be used to make whipped cream!

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Is It Called Double Cream?

Double cream gets its name from its high fat levels. It has more than double the fat content of single cream.

Can You Make Your Own Double Cream?

In addition to using substitutes, you can make your own double cream by combining 1 cup of heavy cream with a tablespoon of buttermilk. Cover the mixture and let it sit for 12 hours.

Conclusion to 12 Best Double Cream Substitutes in the USA

Don’t panic if you come across a recipe that calls for double cream. Even if you can’t buy double cream at your grocery store, there are plenty of substitutes for you to try.