Heavy cream is a must-have ingredient, and with good reason. Soups, sauces, handmade butter, ice cream, and sour cream are just a few of the dishes that call for it.
It’s prepared from the high-fat component of fresh milk and is sometimes called heavy whipping cream. When you leave fresh milk to stand, a thick cream comes to the top and maybe scraped off.
In the United Kingdom, the term “heavy cream” is not used. Creams are available in a variety of thicknesses in the United Kingdom. Each of the following creams is available in the UK and contain different amounts of fats.
- Clotted cream
- Double cream
- Extra-thick double cream
- Whipping cream
- Half cream
- Whipped cream
- Sterilized cream
- Sterilized half cream
- Cream or single cream
- Extra-thick single cream
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Can You Buy Heavy Cream In The UK?
As I mentioned earlier, there is no such thing as heavy cream in the UK which sums up that you cannot find a cream with the name “heavy cream” in the UK.
Instead, you can buy other varieties of creams, such as single cream, whipped cream, double cream, or sour cream. And, in some parts of the United Kingdom, clotted cream can also be found.
Can I Use Double Cream Instead Of Heavy Cream?
Yes, in any recipe, double cream can be substituted for heavy cream. These two dairy ingredients are great alternatives for each other due to their similar texture and flavor. When replacing heavy cream with double cream, use a 1:1 ratio.
Heavy cream is greater in fat than other cream variants, including 36–40% fat. However, because heavy cream is rich in fat and contains dairy, it may not be suited for everyone.
There are numerous different types of cream produced in the United Kingdom. The creams listed below are available in the UK and make a great heavy cream alternative. Each of the creams below has a varied fat content and can be used for a variety of purposes.
Clotted cream
This cream has a fat content of 55%. Clotted cream is the thickest cream available and is used to put on scones like butter in a cream tea.
Extra-thick double cream
This cream has a fat content of 48%. The second thickest cream available is extra-thick double cream. Due to its thick nature, it is spooned atop pies, puddings, and desserts. Heating and rapidly cooling double cream produces extra thick double cream.
Soured cream
Lactic acid is added to the soured cream, giving it a tangy flavor. It has a thick texture but only contains about 18% fat. It can be used to make cheesecakes, dips, nacho toppings, and soups and sauces, but it must not be boiled or it will spill.
Single cream
With roughly 18 percent fat content, single cream is a richer variant of milk. It can be used to pour or to add to coffee. Because single cream does not whip and curdles when heated, it cannot be used in recipes that call for whipping or double cream.
Double cream
This cream has a fat content of 48%. Double cream whips up quickly and produces a thick whipped cream that’s perfect for puddings and desserts.
Whipping cream
The fat content of this cream is 35%. Whipping cream is easier to whip than double cream and provides a lighter whipped cream.
Whipped cream
The fat content of this cream is 35%. Whipped cream is used for cake decorations, ice cream toppings, and fruit. When whipped, this permits air to be trapped, almost doubling the volume.
Cream or single cream
This cream has 18% fat. Single cream is served on top of puddings, in sauces, and coffee.
What Is The Equivalent Of Heavy Cream In The UK?
Double cream is the equivalent of heavy or whipping cream in the United Kingdom and Europe. However, American whipping cream and double cream are not the same thing.
In the United States, double cream is known as heavy or whipping cream, however, it is slightly thicker than the UK’s whipping cream. It has a butterfat content of around 48%.
However, because heavy cream is rich in fat and contains dairy, it may not be suited for everyone.
As a result, substitutes can be used instead of heavy cream such as whipping cream, double cream, half-and-half, and light cream can all be used.
Is Double Cream And Heavy Cream The Same?
No, while heavy cream and double cream are comparable, the butterfat content of each is different. The fat level of heavy cream is slightly lower than that of double cream.
Heavy cream and double cream are used in comparable ways, despite their variances.
Double cream is substantially richer than heavy cream since it contains roughly 48 percent milk fat. Due to its high-fat content, double cream can easily be over whipped and become overly thick.
If a recipe calls for double cream, you’ll have the most luck substituting heavy cream.