5 Half and Half Substitutes (and When to Use Them)
Ran out of half and half and desperately need some for a recipe or your morning cup of coffee? These Half and Half Substitutes can be made using ingredients you already have on hand and work for a variety of recipes!
What Is Half and Half?
The name ‘half and half’ clues you into its ingredients list — it’s a mixture of equal parts whole milk and light cream, i.e. half whole milk and half light cream.
And if you’ve never noticed “light cream” at the grocery store before, it contains 20% milkfat while more popular heavy cream contains at least 36% milkfat.
Since half and half is made of equal parts milk and light cream, it should come as no surprise that it’s richer than regular milk but lighter and less creamy than cream. The U.S. Department of Agriculture states that half and half must contain between 10.5% to 18% milkfat (so it’s still fairly rich!).
Half and half is often used as a coffee creamer, but there are so many more uses for it. If you don’t keep half and half on hand and don’t want to make a special run to the grocery store for a carton, this guide will explain how to make half and half yourself using basic ingredients already in your fridge.
Difference Between Half and Half vs Heavy Cream
If you’ve confused half and half with heavy cream in the past, you’re not alone! Seeing as how half and half is made with cream, the two dairy products are easy to mix up.
- Half and half is made with equal parts whole milk and light cream. It contains 10.5% to 18% milkfat and cannot be whipped to make whipped cream.
- Heavy cream contains at least 36% milkfat and can be whipped easily to soft or stiff peaks. If you whip it beyond the stiff peak stage, you’ll end up with butter.
What Is Half and Half Used For?
Half and half is the Goldilocks of the dairy world. It’s ideal for recipes where heavy cream would be too rich, but milk wouldn’t be rich enough!
Common recipes that use half and half include:
- Creamy soups
- Homemade ice creams
- Quiches
- Puddings
- Mashed potatoes
- Creamy sauces (like alfredo sauce)
- Panna cotta
If I want to make a recipe lighter, I’ll replace the heavy cream with an equal amount of half and half. Or, I’ll use part heavy cream and part half and half.
If a recipe calls for equal parts whole milk and cream, you should be fine to replace it with an equal amount of half and half. (So if a recipe calls for ½ cup milk AND ½ cup cream, you can use 1 cup half and half instead.)
Instances where you can NOT use half and and half include any recipe where you have to beat the cream to soft or stiff peaks (like when making whipped cream). Half and half doesn’t hold its structure when beaten!
How to Make Half and Half
You have a number of options when it comes to making your own DIY half and half alternative. I’ve listed all of the substitutes below
Option 1: Equal Parts Whole Milk and Light Cream (Recommended)
This is the easiest half and half substitute and will deliver the same results as a store-bought carton of half and half.
To make half and half with whole milk and light cream, simply combine equal parts of each. That means if a recipe calls for 1 cup of half and half, you’d need to combine ½ cup whole milk + ½ cup light cream.
Option 2: Mixture of Whole Milk and Heavy Cream
Heavy cream contains at least 36% milkfat whereas light cream contains just 20% milkfat. Because heavy cream is so much richer than light cream, it cannot be combined with an equal amount of whole milk to make half and half.
Instead, you’ll want to use a 3:1 ratio of whole milk to heavy cream to make homemade half and half.
For example: ¾ cup whole milk + ¼ cup heavy cream = 1 cup half and half.
This substitute is handy to remember since light cream can sometimes be difficult to find at the grocery store.
Option 3: Mixture of Skim Milk and Heavy Cream
Skim milk contains less than 0.5% milkfat — a far cry from the 10.5% to 18% milkfat that half and half contains!
To make an appropriate half and half replacement, use a 2:1 ratio of skim milk to heavy cream.
For example: ⅔ cup skim milk + ⅓ cup heavy cream = 1 cup half and half.
Option 4: Mixture of Whole Milk and Melted Butter
In a pinch, you can combine whole milk with melted butter to make half and half.
To do so, melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a glass measuring cup, then slowly whisk in whole milk until the total volume measures 1 cup.
This isn’t my top choice for substituting half and half, but sometimes needs must!
Option 5: Use Heavy Cream Powder
If you do not keep cream of any kind stocked in your fridge but find yourself in need of half and half regularly, you might want to buy a bag of heavy cream powder. It’s shelf-stable and can be mixed with water to make heavy cream.
From there, simply use the instructions provided above to make half and half with skim or whole milk.
The above is simply a quick summary of this tutorial to make a substitute for half and half. Check out the free printable card at the bottom of this post for all the detailed instructions.
Tips for Making Half and Half Substitute
- Use any of the substitutes listed above that work for you, but note that combining whole milk and real cream will deliver the most richness and creaminess. If you want to make actual half and half, using full-fat milk and cream is the way to go.
- Shake or stir well to combine. A mixing bowl and a wire whisk or a mason jar fitted with an airtight lid work perfectly for this.
- Use within a week. After that, the half and half alternative will go bad.
- Check all dairy products to make sure they’re fresh. If you start with sour milk or cream, you’ll wind up with sour half and half!
Frequently Asked Questions
Got questions about how to make this recipe? Here are the answers to a few commonly asked questions. Feel free to leave any other questions in the comments on this post and I’ll respond with answers.
Can you use half and half instead of milk?
Most likely, yes. Half and half will make soups, drinks, puddings, etc. creamier but not as creamy as heavy cream would. Always use your best judgment when substituting milk with half and half.
Can you use half and half instead of heavy cream?
Usually, yes. Half and half is generally a good substitute for heavy cream in most soups, ice cream recipes, quiche fillings, puddings, etc. The only time it definitely does not work is if the heavy cream is supposed to be whipped to stiff or soft peaks — half and half doesn’t hold its structure once whipped so it cannot be used to make whipped cream of any kind.
How long does homemade half and half last?
It will last up to 7 days in the fridge if stored in an airtight container. When in doubt, give it a good sniff to see if it’s gone off.
Can half and half be frozen?
Yes! Half and half can be frozen in storage containers, ice cube trays, or freezer bags. Follow my instructions for freezing buttermilk but use half and half instead.
How to Store Half and Half
Transfer it to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 1 week or freeze for up to 3 months.
Recipes Using Half and Half
Penne with Vodka Sauce and Italian Sausage
This easy recipe for Penne with Vodka Sauce features al dente penne pasta, creamy homemade vodka sauce, and sweet Italian sausage. Make a big batch of sauce now to freeze for future dinners!
Cream of Tomato Soup
Why buy canned soup when you can make Homemade Cream of Tomato Soup with minimal effort on your part? Pair the creamy tomato soup with grilled cheese or a side salad for a complete meal.
White Chocolate Pudding
Thick, creamy, and decadent, this White Chocolate Pudding recipe is made completely from scratch. Pair it with whipped cream and chopped pistachios, or serve alongside fresh fruit.
Lemon Ice Cream
This Homemade Lemon Ice Cream is made with fresh ingredients and just the right amount of lemon for a bright, citrus flavor.
Blue Cheese Rosemary Mashed Potatoes
Blue Cheese Rosemary Mashed Potatoes are a unique take on classic mashed potatoes. With the addition of gorgonzola cheese and fresh rosemary, you go from yum to YUM!
Mushroom Alfredo
This recipe for Mushroom Alfredo features a lightened up flavorful Alfredo sauce with balsamic sautéed mushrooms and tender broccoli florets.
Roasted Cauliflower Soup
Unlike other Cream of Cauliflower the flavor of this soup recipe is greatly enhanced with the rich, subtle flavor of roasted. Roasting the garlic and cauliflower adds a deep, earthiness and a richness that doesn’t necessarily come from heavy calories.
Roasted Butternut Squash Soup with Bacon and Sage
Roasted butternut squash and garlic are pureed with onion, carrot, broth, and half and half for a silky smooth, creamy, savory Roasted Butternut Squash Soup. Top it with bacon and sage for perfection.
Creamy Orange Almond Chicken and Rice Pilaf
Golden brown chicken breasts are smothered in a creamy orange almond sauce and served alongside an almond rice pilaf for a simple and comforting recipe.
Indian Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice
Indian Butter Chicken with Basmati Rice is a delicious, Indian recipe featuring tender chicken in an Indian spiced creamy, tomato based sauce featuring the flavors of garam masala.
Try This Recipe at Home!
Next time you need half and half for a recipe, give one of these homemade half and half substitutes a try!
Did you find these substitutes effective? Leave a comment below and give it a review for others to see what you thought of this great recipe.
On Instagram? Share your photo and tag me @goodlifeeats #goodlifeeatsrecipes. I’d love to see your photo of DIY half and half!
More Useful Kitchen Substitutes:
Learn all about substitutes for buttermilk as well as how to make buttermilk. It’s easier than you’d think to make your own buttermilk! Once you’ve learned about common buttermilk substitutes, check out my favorite recipes using buttermilk.
Just realized you’re out of baking powder and you need it for a recipe? Don’t worry, you can make homemade baking powder in seconds! This post explains How to Make Baking Powder, plus it answers the most commonly asked questions about storing and using it.
Ran out of almond meal? No problem! In this post, I’ll explain How to Make Almond Meal as well as when it’s best to use almond meal vs almond flour.
Just realized you’re out of baking soda and you need it for a recipe? Don’t worry, there are a few Baking Soda Substitutes you might already have in your kitchen!
Learning how to make cake flour is so easy! Here’s how to make homemade cake flour, plus my favorite ways to use it.
Don’t see what you’re looking for here? You can always head over to check out the recipe index to look for more recipes.
Get More Recipes via Email
Did you love this half and half substitute? Sign up to receive Good Life Eats Email Updates and never miss another recipe!
How to Make Half and Half
Ran out of half and half and desperately need some for a recipe or your morning cup of coffee? These Half and Half Substitutes can be made using ingredients you already have on hand and work for a variety of recipes!
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup light cream
Instructions
Option 1: Equal Parts Whole Milk and Light Cream (Recommended)
Combine equal parts of each. That means if a recipe calls for 1 cup of half and half, you’d need to combine ½ cup whole milk + ½ cup light cream.
Option 2: Mixture of Whole Milk and Heavy Cream
Use a 3:1 ratio of whole milk to heavy cream to make homemade half and half. For example: ¾ cup whole milk + ¼ cup heavy cream = 1 cup half and half.
Option 3: Mixture of Skim Milk and Heavy Cream
Use a 2:1 ratio of skim milk to heavy cream. For example: ⅔ cup skim milk + ⅓ cup heavy cream = 1 cup half and half.
Option 4: Mixture of Whole Milk and Melted Butter
Melt 2 tablespoons of butter in a glass measuring cup, then slowly whisk in whole milk until the total volume measures 1 cup.
Option 5: Use Heavy Cream Powder
If you do not keep cream of any kind stocked in your fridge but find yourself in need of half and half regularly, you might want to buy a bag of heavy cream powder. It’s shelf-stable and can be mixed with water to make heavy cream.
From there, simply use the instructions provided above to make half and half with skim or whole milk.
Leave a Comment