Heavy Cream Substitute for Baking
For 1 cup of heavy cream, use ¾ cup milk + ⅓ cup melted butter. For baking only — it will NOT whip. Below: the swap scaled to the amounts recipes use.
For 1 cup of heavy cream
¾ cup milk + ⅓ cup melted butter
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For baking only — it will NOT whip.
Data & method: from Colorado State University Extension, fact sheet 9.329 (Ingredient Substitutions). An automated test pins each ratio to its source. How we calculate →
Scaled to what your recipe calls for
Milk + melted butter, computed for the amounts recipes actually use:
| Recipe needs | Use instead |
|---|---|
| ¼ cup of heavy cream | 3 tbsp milk + 1 tbsp + 1 tsp melted butter |
| ½ cup of heavy cream | ⅜ cup milk + 2 tbsp + 2 tsp melted butter |
| ¾ cup of heavy cream | ½ cup + 1 tbsp milk + ¼ cup melted butter |
| 1 cup of heavy cream | ¾ cup milk + ⅓ cup melted butter |
| 1½ cups of heavy cream | 1⅛ cups milk + ½ cup melted butter |
| 2 cups of heavy cream | 1½ cups milk + ⅔ cup melted butter |
Need a different amount — or a different ingredient?
The calculator scales every option to your exact amount, for all 17 staples we cover.
Best swap Milk + melted butter
¾ cup milk + ⅓ cup melted butter
For baking only — it will NOT whip.
Source: Colorado State University Extension, fact sheet 9.329 (Ingredient Substitutions)
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Weighing instead? 1 cup of heavy cream in grams: 238 g →
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I use instead of heavy cream?
The best swap for 1 cup of heavy cream is ¾ cup milk + ⅓ cup melted butter — for baking only — it will NOT whip. Source: Colorado State University Extension, fact sheet 9.329 (Ingredient Substitutions).
How much substitute do I use for a different amount of heavy cream?
Scale the parts linearly. The table on this page covers the common amounts, and the calculator scales every option to exactly what your recipe calls for — never a vague "adjust to taste".