Whipping Cream Substitutes

Out of whipping cream? These are the swaps that actually work, with conversion ratios for any recipe size and notes on how each one changes the result.

Need to convert whipping cream between cups, grams, or ounces first? Open the whipping cream converter.

What to use instead of whipping cream

  • Heavy Cream

    Ingredient swap

    1 cup whipping cream = 1 cup heavy cream (1:1 by volume)

    The richer cousin at around 36% fat or more versus 30 to 35%, and almost the same weight (240 g vs 238 g per cup). Swap straight across in sauces and desserts; heavy cream whips stiffer and holds longer, which is the better pick for piped decorations.

    See heavy cream substitutes →

  • Coconut Cream

    Ingredient swap

    1 cup whipping cream = 1 cup coconut cream (1:1 by volume)

    The dairy-free swap: chill a can overnight and whip the thick solid layer for a vegan topping. Coconut cream (245 g/cup) carries a mild coconut flavour and whips softer than dairy, so it suits desserts and curries rather than recipes needing a firm, neutral whip.

    See coconut cream substitutes →

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I substitute for whipping cream?
There are 2 workable substitutes for whipping cream, depending on what you have on hand and which property of whipping cream matters most for your recipe. The closest swap is usually 1 cup whipping cream = 1 cup heavy cream (1:1 by volume). Each option below lists the conversion ratio for any recipe size, plus notes on how the swap changes the texture, flavour, rise, or browning.
Will substituting whipping cream change how my recipe turns out?
Yes, every swap trades one property for another: fat content, moisture, acidity, or protein. The notes on each substitute describe what changes in texture, flavour, rise, or browning, so you can choose the swap that matters least for your recipe. Open the whipping cream converter
How do I measure whipping cream accurately?
Weighing in grams is more reliable than scooping cups, especially when a substitute has a different density from what the recipe expects. The whipping cream converter on this site converts between cups, grams, ounces, millilitres, fluid ounces, tablespoons, and teaspoons, so you can scale a recipe up or down without losing the ratio. Open the whipping cream converter

Other ingredient and produce substitutes

Find what to use instead of: