SaurabhSingle cream is also known as light cream depending on the country where you live and usually contains about 18% milkfat. It is thinner than other types of cream such as double or whipping cream.
Single cream is used to create a creamy base in sauces and soups or poured over desserts and added to coffee. Because of its low-fat content single cream is not suitable for whipping or boiling at high temperatures.
If you try to cook with single cream or to whip it, it will curdle and split. If you are using a cream with higher fat content you will get a richer texture and better creamy flavor.
It doesn’t curdle when used in cooking and is good for whipping. Depending on the recipe you are preparing it is important to choose the right cream for the best final results. You can choose a cream with low or high-fat content because creams are categorized by fat content.
However, if your recipe calls for single cream and you can’t find any at the store there are other types of cream you can use as a substitute for single cream if you make adjustments.
Let’s learn more about each substitute below!
Best Single Cream Substitutes
Depending on the recipe that calls for single cream you can use some of the substitutes below. They can improve the flavor and texture of your sweet and savory recipes.
1. Heavy cream
Heavy cream has a rich, creamy flavor and contains 36-40% milk fat. It is used in both sweet and savory recipes like pies, fruit salads, ice cream, frostings, sauces, and soups.
Heavy cream will give a thick, and creamy texture to your recipes because it whips easily. And it will not curdle if you add it in hot mixtures.
Because heavy cream contains more milk fat than single cream, you can reduce it with milk. Use 1 part milk and 2 parts heavy cream to get a cream similar to single cream.
You can substitute it for single cream in a 1:1 ratio in your recipes.
2. Whipping cream
Whipping cream is also a good substitute for single cream. It contains from 30-36% of milkfat and will give a lighter texture to your recipes than heavy cream.
Whipping cream makes a great topping for pies, cakes, waffles, cupcakes, puddings. However, it also works well in soups, sauces, and other savory recipes.
You can decrease 2 parts of whipping cream with 1 part of milk and use it as a substitute for single cream in a 1:1 ratio.
3. Half-half
Half-half is a blend of the same parts of cream and milk. It has from 10-18% of milkfat, so it is not used for whipping or as a thickener.
Half-half is usually used to give a creamy and smooth flavor and texture to many soups, sauces, desserts, coffee, and other sweet and savory recipes.
It is thinner and contains fewer milk fats than single cream but you will get a nice creamy flavor in your recipes. Use half-half in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute for single cream.
4. Greek yogurt
Greek yogurt has a creamier and thicker texture than regular yogurt. You can use a mix of equal parts of Greek yogurt and whole milk as a substitute for single cream.
This product will give a thick and creamy texture to your recipes. However, you should not use it in recipes that need whipping.
To stop the yogurt from separating before you add it to hot liquids bring it to room temperature and add at the end of the cooking time.
Substitute single cream with Greek yogurt in a 1:1 ratio.
5. Coconut milk
Coconut milk has about 20% fat and is often used in curries, soups, smoothies, ice creams, sauces, dressings, dips, baked goods, and other sweet and savory recipes.
You can use it as a substitute for single cream to get a creamy texture and lovely coconut flavor. Use coconut milk as a substitute for single cream in a 1:1 ratio.
6. Silken tofu
Silken tofu is usually added to sauces, salad dressings, and desserts to give them a creamy and thick texture.
You can blend it with soy or regular milk to get a smooth, thick texture and use it as a substitute for single cream in your recipes. Use it as a thickener in sauces and soups. Or whip it and add to your favorite desserts.
Substitute single cream with silken tofu in a 1:1 ratio.
7. Whole milk
Whole milk contains from 3,25-3,5% of milk fat and can be also used as a substitute for single cream. You can mix it with butter for more fat content and use it in baking and cooking recipes to give them a creamy texture and flavor.
Mix 14 tablespoons of whole milk with 3 tablespoons of melted, cooled butter and use the mixture as a substitute for one cup of single cream. Just have in mind that this mixture is not good for whipping.
8. Ricotta cheese
Ricotta cheese is a soft, creamy fresh cheese with rich milky flavor.
It works well in both desserts and savory recipes. However, you can also use it as a substitute for single cream. You can mix it with an equal part of milk and blend it to obtain a smooth texture.
Substitute single cream with this mixture in a 1:1 ratio in your sauces, soups, desserts, and many other sweet and savory recipes.
9. Creme Fraiche
Crème Fraiche has a fresh and rich, nutty, slightly sour flavor and creamy, thick texture. Depending on the type of the crème Fraiche it can have from 10-45% of milk fat. Creme fraiche is used in sauces, soups, salad dressings, baked goods, and desserts.
You can use it as a substitute for single cream in sweet and savory recipes in a 1:1 ratio.
10. Cream cheese
Cream cheese has a soft, fresh, rich flavor and creamy texture. It should contain more than 33% of milkfat and is used in many sweet and savory recipes.
You can use cream cheese as a substitute for single cream as a thickener in soups and sauces. Or add it to desserts. And depending on your dish you can make the texture thinner if you add milk and mix them until you get the desired texture.
Use cream cheese in a 1:1 ratio as a substitute for single cream.
Substitute For Single Cream In Pasta
There are many substitutes for single cream in pasta.
You can use heavy cream, whipping cream, crème Fraiche, ricotta cheese, cream cheese, whole milk, Greek yogurt, half-half or silken tofu, and coconut milk if you follow a dairy-free diet and don’t mind the coconut flavor.
Related Questions
What is single cream?
Single cream is low-fat cream also known as light cream that contains about 18% of milkfat.
Can I replace single cream with yogurt?
You can replace single cream with yogurt mixed with an equal part of whole milk to get better texture and flavor in your recipes.
Can you make single cream from milk?
You can make single cream from milk if you mix equal amounts of whole and evaporated milk. Or if you mix 3 tablespoons of melted, cooled butter with 14 tablespoons of whole milk and whip them together.
Is heavy cream the same as single cream?
Heavy cream is not the same as single cream.
Heavy cream has a rich, creamy flavor and has 36-40% milkfat, whereas single cream has about 18% of milk fat and is not suitable for whipping or boiling.
Summary
Single cream is used in many different recipes to give them a nice flavor and texture. However, if you don’t have it on hand you can use some of these substitutes and save your recipe.
The only important thing is to use the right substitute for the best results because there is nothing better than nice creamy and delicious food!
