SaurabhMilk is a healthy and common ingredient. It is part of our daily eating routines, whether you put milk in your cereal for breakfast or drink it in your coffee, milk is the ingredient that you need.
Furthermore, milk is a common ingredient in baking as well. You can use milk in many other recipes, whether you are making something sweet, bake, make some sauce, or just simply give a better texture to your dish.
However, what if you’re halfway through your recipe and you realize that you have no milk or it’s gone sour, can you use the cream as a substitute?
Can you substitute cream for milk? You can use substitutes like half and half, powdered milk, evaporated milk, and non-dairy milk alternatives such as soy, oat, and coconut milk that will help you further in your cooking process and save your recipe if you are out of milk.
1. Cream As a Substitute
Cream or often referred to as heavy cream is actually a very staple ingredient. It can be adapted and used in many varieties of recipes instead of milk.
Sometimes this cream is made of fresh milk, but even without the whipped cream can be a great substitute. This cream consists of 36-40 % of fat, which makes it high in fat and the heavy cream is the fattest of all types. It has a thick consistency, rich and velvety taste when added to recipes.
Use in recipes like soups, sauces, homemade butter, or other recipes that require more fat. This heavy cream can be whipped in which sugar can be added and used as a topping for fruit salads or ice cream.
Also, it can be turned into frosting. However, be careful not to over whip the cream because it can turn your cream into butter.
How Much to Use?
If the recipe requires 1 cup of milk, then use a half cup of heavy cream and a half cup of water to get the same results.
2. Diluting Cream to Make Milk
There is also the question if you can make duplicating cream and turn it into milk. Be careful and don’t use a ratio of 15:1.
Otherwise, you will get a more watery texture instead of the milk combination you need. Use an equal mixture of cream and water to get the right amount that you need.
Keep in mind that diluted cream still has a high-fat concentration.
Another thing is that this made milk is not really tasty and not really for drinking, but it will help you save your recipe. The higher the fat content, the taste of your food will be even richer.
3. Homemade Milk from Heavy Whipping Cream
This is perfect for baking and also will help you create a keto milk substitute that has almost an identical taste to regular milk. Regular milk has 3.5% milkfat, whereas cream has 10 times more.
So, to make a liquid from fat cream you have to lower the fat. Just mix 10ml of cream with 90 ml of water. It will give you a total of 3.5% milkfat. The ratio is 1 portion heavy cream, 9 portions of cold water, and ½ portion sugar.
As easy as it seems, the milk’s flavor comes with a combination of sugar, so for this reason you’ll need an alternative to sweetener the flavor of your mixture. Put erythritol stevia or monk fruit to get the right amount of lactose.
Use around 1-2 teaspoons of erythritol or 6 drops of stevia. Also, if you are following a keto diet, then use a keto-friendly sweetener.
Other Substitutes for Milk
The cream is just one of the many options that you can use if you are out of milk. It’s common and easy to prepare, however, milk can be substituted in a different way. Read on as I will share with you some other milk substitutes that will fit perfectly with your recipe.
4. Half and half
Just like the cream, it is common to use it as a substitute in your recipe. Made of equal parts of whole milk and heavy cream, this is a great substitute for soups, sauce, or gravy because of the higher fat content. It makes it less likely to cradle when you boil it.
Like the cream, half and half have the same amount of stabilizers as they can change the texture when you are baking.
How much do you need?
This type of substitute can be a replacement of whole milk with an additional addition of water. You should combine ¾ cup half and half ¼ water for every cup of milk that you are replacing.
5. Powdered milk
Dry milk is milk that has a dry solid which remains after the moisture has been taken off. This is a big advantage when you are using it as a substitute.
It can last longer than the other substitutes and can add creaminess to soups and sauces, as well as a protein bust in shakes and smoothies. It’s not hard to use, just follow the instructions on the package and you are good to go.
How much do you need?
When you are using powdered milk in a recipe, make sure that you appropriately mix it with the other ingredients. Also, you need a 50-50 ratio when you mix it with water.
6. Evaporated milk
Another product that lasts longer is evaporated milk. It comes in a can with a deeper color and fuller flavor. It’s commonly used because it adds richness and body without any fat. You can use it in sauces, baking goods, and soups as well.
How much do you need?
To substitute evaporated milk with regular milk you’ll need to combine ½ cup of evaporated milk with ½ cup of water.
Non-Dairy Milk Substitutes
As non-dairy alternatives, I can suggest soy, oat, or coconut milk. Keep in mind that each one has a unique flavor and fits very well in your baking process.
They vary in fat, protein, and scratch, so try to get the right mix and prevent mistakes. Each one is used in a different way, but the ratio that is used is 1:1. Thus, make sure to place enough and make the best out of your recipe.
Related Questions
What if I use heavy cream instead of milk?
Yes, heavy cream is an ideal substitute if you are out of milk. Using it will give your food a richer texture. A cup of heavy cream is one-third of milk fat. Meaning, you need butter to compensate in your recipe.
Can I use heavy cream instead of milk in mashed potatoes?
If you want creamier potatoes, add some cream. This way, you will make the texture softer. And you don’t have to worry about getting watery potatoes. They will be just as smooth and tasty as if they were made with milk.
Can I use heavy cream instead of milk when I make mac and cheese?
Of course, the cream is a very good substitute in many recipes that require milk. When you use cream with mac and cheese, avoid using butter, because you will get an even fatter texture. Also, add a touch of water to make it perfect.
