Knowing Whether to Use Half-and-Half or Heavy Cream Can Make or Break a Recipe

Half-and-Half vs. Heavy Cream

The main difference between half-and-half vs. heavy cream is the milkfat content. Half-and-half is made with equal parts heavy cream and milk. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration requires that half-and-half contains between 10.5 and 18 percent milkfat. To make half-and-half at home, mix together a 1:1 ratio of heavy cream and milk and use in any recipe (or your daily cup of joe) that calls for half-and-half.

Heavy cream, on the other hand, is a thicker and richer cream that contains at least 36 percent milkfat, nearly double that of half-and-half. If you're trying to cut back on fat, half-and-half is a suitable substitute. However, don't try to whip half-and-half for whipped cream; the product simply doesn't contain enough milkfat to form luscious stiff peaks.

If you're cooking savory recipes like Joanna Gaines's asparagus & fontina quiche, or mashed potatoes, heavy cream and half-and-half can be used interchangeably, generally. Just know that the consistency and richness of these dishes may vary based on which type of cream you use. Beyond that, you must temper half-and-half when adding it to hot liquid, otherwise it will separate and curdle.

To temper half-and-half, add a little bit of hot liquid to a bowl with half-and-half and slowly whisk together. Repeat two more times, then slowly stir the tempered half-and-half back into the original mixture. By doing this process, you are gently raising the temperature of the half-and-half, which prevents curdling.

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Light Cream vs. Half-and-Half

There's even less of a difference between light cream and half-and-half than there is between heavy cream and half-and-half. The FDA requires products labeled as light cream contain between 18 and 30 percent milkfat, which means it is fattier than half-and-half but not as rich and creamy as heavy cream. Light cream is a perfect coffee add-in, as well as a drizzle over mixed berries, as a substitute for milk in glazed cake donuts. Don't overdo the cream is recipes that will be heated for long periods of time, as the cream could curdle. Like half-and-half, the low milkfat content in light cream also means that it cannot be whisked into fluffy whipped cream.

What Is Fat-Free Half-and-Half?

While fat-free half-and-half may seem like a healthy alternative, its name is deceiving. Fat-free half-and-half usually contains fat-free milk, corn syrup, cream, artificial colors, and a handful of chemicals that are not normally found in regular half-and-half. Fat-free half-and-half only has about half the calories of regular half-and-half and one less gram of sugar per serving. While the fewer calories and fat-free may leave you feeling guilt free, the half dozen additives make us feel inclined to use the real deal.