How to replace cream for healthier cooking - Régilait (2024)

This is a great idea for cooking lower fat meals:
Replace all or half of the cream with unsweetened condensed milk. For delicious gratin dishes!

Thanks to the way it is processed to make thicker, creamier milk, unsweetened condensed milk can be used instead of cream for your home cooking.
It contains 8times less fat than full-fat cream so there’s no longer any need to deprive yourself!
It does have a distinctive taste, but this generally disappears during cooking.

Which product should I use?
Régilait semi-skimmed unsweetened condensed milk.

How?
Use it in the same way as you would cream.

What quantity should I use?
Unsweetened condensed milk can be used in equal quantities to substitute cream or you can use half cream, half condensed milk for most recipes.

For which recipes?
– Quiches and savoury tarts;
– Gratin dishes;
– Milk puddings and clafoutis, crème brulée, panna cotta, etc.
– Sauces;
– Mashed potato and pureed vegetables;
– Marinades;
– Curries; it can also be used instead of coconut milk and coconut cream, which contain quite a lot of fat. All you need to do then is add a little desiccated coconut to give the curry a coconut flavour. The advantage is that you can make the coconut flavour as strong as you wish this way!
– And plenty of other recipes besides….

Extra advantages: Unsweetened condensed milk withstands cooking better than cream, which can curdle when boiled.

Unsweetened condensed milk can sometimes even be used to replace some of the butter in cake recipes. Here is a delicious example with Régilait brownies.

People often used low-fat cream to replace full-fat liquid cream… But most low-fat creams contain additives: stabilisers, hom*ogenisers, thickeners… whereas unsweetened condensed milk is pure milk and nothing else!

How to replace cream for healthier cooking - Régilait (2024)

FAQs

How much evaporated milk to substitute for heavy cream? ›

Evaporated milk can be used as a substitute in recipes in which heavy cream is used as a liquid ingredient, such as in baked goods, but it doesn't whip well. Substitute the heavy cream in your recipes with an equal amount of evaporated milk.

Can condensed milk replace cream? ›

Use it in the same way as you would cream. What quantity should I use? Unsweetened condensed milk can be used in equal quantities to substitute cream or you can use half cream, half condensed milk for most recipes.

What is a good substitute for single cream? ›

Best Light Cream Substitutes
  • Coconut Cream. Ah, coconut cream, it's the richer, thicker version of coconut milk that's often used in savory and sweet recipes. ...
  • Two Percent Milk. ...
  • Evaporated Milk. ...
  • Half-and-Half Cream. ...
  • Melted Butter with Milk. ...
  • Soy Creamer. ...
  • Coconut Milk.
Jun 23, 2023

Is coconut milk a substitute for heavy cream? ›

The fat content of coconut milk should be roughly that of a dairy-based heavy cream. So, when a recipe calls for heavy cream, you just make a one-to-one substitution with coconut milk – so long as the fat content matches up.

What is a healthy substitute for heavy cream? ›

Here are a few of the best heavy cream substitutes, according to experts.
  • Greek Yogurt. ...
  • Coconut Cream. ...
  • Silken Tofu. ...
  • Cashew Cream. ...
  • Evaporated Milk. ...
  • Soy Milk. ...
  • Half-and-Half With Butter. ...
  • Bananas.
Dec 13, 2023

Is evaporated milk healthier than cream? ›

You can save 9 grams of fat, including 7 grams saturated fat, for every 1/4 cup of whipped cream you dole out on that pie – if you've whipped evaporated milk sweetened with powdered sugar and vanilla instead. You'll also cut 75 calories.

What to use instead of cream in a recipe? ›

What Can I Substitute For Heavy Cream? You can combine whole milk with butter or margarine, mix half-and-half with melted butter, or go dairy-free with olive oil and soy milk. Cornstarch and milk make a low-fat alternative, while milk and Greek yogurt add much more richness to the recipe!

Is there a healthy substitute for condensed milk? ›

Cream of coconut is a great substitute for sweetened condensed milk, giving a hint of tropical flavor. It's dairy-free and can be substituted cup for cup. The thick consistency of cream of coconut closely resembles sweetened condensed milk, allowing for similar richness in many recipes.

Why is condensed milk not advisable? ›

High Sugar Content: Condensed milk is known for its high sugar content. Regular consumption of foods and beverages high in added sugars can contribute to various health iss.

What can I use if I don't have milk or cream? ›

Yogurt can be a really good replacement for milk in recipes. As with sour cream, it'll add moisture and flavor, but also a bit of tang. You can stick to a one-to-one replacement, but try to steer clear of flavored yogurt.

What can I use if I don't have cream or half-and-half? ›

You can make a similar heavy cream alternative using regular milk and butter. Whole milk has a fat percentage of around 3.5% and is preferable to lower-fat varieties, but you'll still want to use more melted butter than you would with half-and-half. For best results, try mixing ⅔ cup of whole milk with ⅓ cup butter.

Is cream cheese healthier than heavy cream? ›

While cream cheese does have fewer calories and less fat than heavy cream, it's not considered low cal or low fat, so it may not be the best option if you're looking to cut down on either of those.

Is coconut cream healthier than cream? ›

Heavy cream has signficantly more Vitamin D than coconut cream. Coconut cream is a great source of dietary fiber and iron, and it is an excellent source of potassium. Both coconut cream and heavy cream are high in calories and saturated fat. Coconut cream has signficantly less cholesterol than heavy cream.

What is a good substitute for cream in quiche? ›

Use half-and-half as a 1:1 substitute for heavy cream. It can work nearly as well for bringing creamy texture and flavor to sauces, soups and stews, mashed potatoes, quiches, and casseroles.

What do vegans use for heavy cream? ›

Vegan Heavy Cream Substitutes
  • Coconut Cream or Coconut Milk. Use a 1:1 ratio to replace heavy cream. ...
  • Cashew Cream. 1 cup soaked raw cashews + 1 1/4 cup water. ...
  • Dairy Free Yogurt. ...
  • Silken Tofu + Plant Milk. ...
  • Vegan Cream Cheese. ...
  • Evaporated Coconut Milk. ...
  • Sweetened Condensed Oat Milk or Coconut Milk. ...
  • Plant Milk + Cornstarch.
Nov 29, 2022

Can I substitute evaporated milk for full cream milk? ›

For a creamy taste without the cream, try evaporated (canned) milk! Evaporated milk is made by removing water from fresh milk and then heating it. Heating the milk gives it the creamy, slightly cooked taste and darker colour. When mixed with an equal amount of water, it can be substituted for fresh milk in recipes.

Does evaporated milk taste the same as heavy cream? ›

Evaporated Milk – With a similar consistency, you can use a 1-to-1 swap of evaporated milk for heavy cream in most sweet and savory dishes. Its flavor is richer with unique caramelized tones and is not a lower-fat option, but evaporated milk makes do in a pinch.

Can I use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream in coffee? ›

You can use evaporated milk instead of heavy cream to brew coffee. It generally gives the same texture and smoothness but without the fats that heavy cream has. Evaporated milk can also replace coffee creamer as coffee creamer contains a lot of sugar.

Is half & half the same as heavy cream? ›

According to the FDA, half-and-half contains between 10.5 percent to 18 percent milk fat, while heavy cream contains between 36 percent and 40 percent milk fat. Because heavy cream contains more fat, it is thicker and has a richer taste and a creamier mouthfeel than half-and-half.

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