Dairy

• Use half-and-half and light cream in place of thick cream in recipes and desserts. Most of the time this substitution will be fine unless you are making something that specifically calls for whipped or thick cream, such as a dessert topping. You can also mix a tablespoon of butter with one cup of milk to create a thicker and creamier milk product. Depending on the recipe regular milk could also work, especially if you are trying to keep the recipe lower in fat and calories.

Vegan

• Soft tofu can provide a similar texture to thick cream, but the flavor is altogether different. However, adding other flavors to the tofu such as sugar or lemon juice can make it stand out more in your recipe. Other varieties of milk such as coconut or soy can also be used in place of thick cream. They will not provide the thick texture, but provide creaminess and flavor that the thick cream provides. Use coconut milk in Asian recipes and desserts due to its naturally sweet coconut flavor.

Low Fat

• Try substituting full-fat or low-fat yogurt for thick cream in cold recipes. Yogurt can break when it is heated, so this is not the best idea for a hot recipe unless you do not mind a separated appearance. Other low-fat alternatives include skim milk or egg whites. Make sure to beat the egg whites before using so that they provide a thick texture similar to thick cream.

Other Ideas

• Other alternatives for thick cream include sour cream or creme fraiche. These are cultured products however, which means that they have a bit of tang to them. They work well in dessert or savory recipes because of this flavor. Adding sugar to them makes a great topping for a fruit dessert or pie. Sour cream can be found in grocery stores and creme fraiche can be found in many regular and specialty grocery stores.