Substitutions

What can I use instead of whipped cream?

Heavy cream beaten until air is trapped in its fat structure, usually lightly sweetened.

What it does in a recipe: Aerated fat — lightness and richness at the same time. Pick the swap that covers that job — the ratios below are written so you can act on them without doing any arithmetic.

Also called: Chantilly cream

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Dairy & milkscategory

Quick answer

Whipped coconut cream

1 cup whipped cream = the solid layer from 1 chilled can of full-fat coconut milk, whipped

All substitutes, best first

3 ways to replace whipped cream

Whipped coconut cream

Reliable

1 cup whipped cream = the solid layer from 1 chilled can of full-fat coconut milk, whipped

Coconut's saturated fat sets firm when cold, which gives the whisk the solid fat structure it needs to hold air.

MethodChill the can overnight undisturbed, scoop only the firm top layer, and whip cold.

Trade-offTastes of coconut and softens faster at room temperature.

BakingRaw / no-cookVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeSoy-free

Allergen checkCoconut is labelled a tree nut in the US — check before serving to a nut-allergic guest.

Aquafaba meringue

Reliable

1 cup whipped cream = 1/2 cup aquafaba (chickpea can liquid) + 2 tbsp sugar, whipped to soft peaks

The proteins and starches dissolved in chickpea liquid foam remarkably like egg white, producing a light, stable aerated topping.

MethodWhip for 5-10 minutes — considerably longer than cream — and add a pinch of cream of tartar to stabilise it.

Trade-offLight and foamy rather than rich; there is no fat, so it does not coat the tongue like cream.

BakingRaw / no-cookVeganVegetarianGluten-freeDairy-freeEgg-freeNut-freeSoy-free

Whipped mascarpone

Reliable

1 cup whipped cream = 1/2 cup mascarpone + 1/2 cup heavy cream, whipped together

Mascarpone's fat stabilises the foam, producing a topping that holds its shape for far longer than plain whipped cream.

Trade-offDenser and considerably richer.

BakingRaw / no-cookVegetarianGluten-freeNut-freeEgg-freeSoy-free

At a glance

Whipped cream in summary

Category	Dairy & milks
Job in a recipe	Aerated fat — lightness and richness at the same time
Suits	Vegetarian, Gluten-free, Nut-free, Egg-free, Soy-free
Swaps available for	Dairy-free Egg-free Gluten-free Nut-free Soy-free Vegan Vegetarian
Number of substitutes	3

More dairy & milks

Almond milk3 substitutes Buttermilk5 substitutes Cheddar3 substitutes Coconut milk (canned)3 substitutes Cottage cheese3 substitutes Cream cheese3 substitutes

Cooking around an allergy? Diet tags here describe the ingredient itself, not any particular brand. Processed products change formulation without notice and shared production lines are common, so read the label on everything you use. A severe allergy is a medical matter — confirm with the manufacturer or your clinician rather than relying on a substitution chart.