Heavy Cream vs. Heavy Whipping Cream

What’s the difference between these high fat dairy products?
Here’s the good news: when it comes to heavy cream and heavy whipping cream, the difference does not really matter. Both are delicious dairy products and are key ingredients in many of our favorite recipes, such as whipped cream, panna cotta, ice cream, cheesecake, and crème brûlée pie. The list could go on! But I know it can be confusing to figure out which cream is best for a recipe. So, here’s what you should know about these creamy dairy products.

Here’s a surprise: there is no real difference between heavy cream and heavy whipping cream. They are the same product, but different brands may use different names on their cartons. According to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), heavy cream must contain at least 36 percent milk fat. It can be pasteurized or ultra-pasteurized, and it may also be homogenized. The same requirements apply to products labeled heavy whipping cream. So, it’s simply two names for the same type of cream.
You can use heavy cream and heavy whipping cream in the same way. There is no need to worry about choosing one over the other for a recipe. When shopping, I recommend checking the prices and choosing whichever option is the better deal.

Heavy Cream vs. Whipping Cream

There is heavy whipping cream, and then there is regular whipping cream (and sometimes, light whipping cream). These are not exactly the same! Let’s take another look at the FDA’s Code of Federal Regulations. Light whipping cream contains between 30 percent and 36 percent milkfat. You can use light whipping cream to make whipped cream, but it may not become as thick or form very stiff peaks.
Other than that, heavy cream and light whipping cream work in much the same way. In many recipes, you can use light whipping cream instead of heavy cream and probably won’t notice much of a difference.

Heavy Cream vs. Half-and-Half

So, is heavy cream different from half-and-half? Yes, definitely. These two dairy products are not the same. According to the FDA, half-and-half must contain between 10.5 percent and 18 percent fat. Heavy cream, on the other hand, must contain at least 36 percent fat.
As the name suggests, half-and-half falls somewhere between heavy cream and milk. It is commonly used as a coffee creamer, but it can also add a smooth and creamy texture to certain recipes without the extra fat found in heavy cream.
Because heavy cream has a much higher fat content, it is richer and can add more body to soups and sauces. In some recipes, such as mashed potatoes or tomato soup, you can replace heavy cream with half-and-half when the recipe calls for a higher-fat dairy product. However, this substitution does not work in every recipe.
Unfortunately, half-and-half cannot replace heavy cream when making whipped cream. It simply does not contain enough fat to whip properly and hold its shape. Save it for your coffee instead.

What’s the Difference Between Heavy Cream & Whipping Cream?