milk.org | Cream

Types of Cream

Half & Half Cream
- Half & Half Cream
- Light Cream
- Heavy Cream
- Sour Cream
- Whipping Cream

Half & Half Cream

Half and half cream is one half whole milk and one half cream and usually falls in between the 10 to 18% milk fat range. It’s a great, low-fat alternative to using heavy cream in cooking (however, half and half can’t be whipped).

Light Cream

Light cream, also known as table cream, is a 5 to 6% milk fat cream that’s great for everyday use. Add it to make your morning coffee a little richer or drizzle over some berries for a sweet snack.

Heavy Cream

This cream has a slightly higher milk fat content at around 35 to 38%, which also makes it great for whipping. It usually creates a denser whipped cream. Heavy cream can also used in creamy pasta sauce classics, such as Alfredo or Carbonara.

Sour Cream

Another staple in your fridge! This savoury dish sidekick is a fermented dairy product that has a similar consistency to yogurt. However, sour cream is made from fermenting cream, whereas yogurt is made from fermenting milk.

There’s also crème fraîche, which is like sour cream’s thicker, richer, less-tangy cousin. It has a higher milk fat content that makes it better for cooking since it’s less prone to curdling when simmered!

Whipping Cream

A classic we all know and love. This cream has a higher milk fat content (usually 30%) that allows it to be whipped into a thicker consistency, creating the perfect dessert topper.

How is cream made?

Cream can be made in a variety of ways, but it usually goes a little something like this.

From milk to cream

First, fresh milk is transported from our farms and pasteurized so that the cream can be separated from the milk.

Separating the cream

A centrifugal machine spins the milk around a fixed centre – similar to a washing machine – to separate the cream from the milk.

All kinds of cream

The cream that is separated in the centrifugal machine is usually 35% milk fat, so to make all the different kinds of cream, milk is added back in.

When to use different creams

Banana cream pie made with whipped cream

Use heavy cream for homemade whipped cream

Sometimes, homemade just tastes better. If you’re opting for homemade whipped cream to top your homemade pie, you’ll want to use heavy cream since it’s easier to thicken.

Try sour cream in baking

Just like adding yogurt, sour cream adds moisture to baked goods that make them richer and fluffier. You can also try sour cream in glazes or icings by combining it with powdered sugar.