If you ever had to make whipped cream, there is a big chance that you ended up in a store looking at various cartons of cream, not knowing which one to get. Truthfully, it’s hard not to get confused when you are staring at cartons labeled as heavy cream, whipping cream, and heavy whipping cream.
What is the difference between heavy cream vs heavy whipping cream? Essentially, heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are the same kinds of cream. Both must contain at least 36% milkfat or more and are often used for piping, pastry filling, and toppings. The only difference is in the names, which solely depend on the brand manufacturing the cream.
However, things can become additionally confusing considering that there are also whipping cream and all-purpose cream to think about! Stay with us till the end of this article to find out the difference and to know which cream is best to use.
Is All-Purpose Cream the Same as Heavy Cream?
All-purpose cream and heavy cream aren’t the same thing, and there are a few features that set them apart. The main difference between heavy cream and all-purpose cream is the fat content.
All-purpose cream contains around 30% milk fat and as its name suggests, it’s highly versatile, but it doesn’t whip well. You can use all-purpose cream to make salads, desserts, soups, dressings, dips, or any other dish that needs creamy consistency.
Heavy cream, on the other hand, must contain at least 36% or more milk fat and has a specialized use. Great for whipping, heavy cream is ideal for creating small stable peaks to decorate desserts or fresh fruit.
Is Heavy Cream the Same as Heavy Whipping Cream?
Heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are essentially the same thing and both must contain at least 36% or more milk fat. Whether you will leave the grocery store with a carton of heavy cream or heavy whipping cream depend solely on the brand of the cream.
Basically, you can’t go wrong either way, since it’s the same kind of cream.
Heavy Cream Vs Whipping Cream
Although both are types of cream, there is one key difference between heavy cream and whipping cream and that’s the fat count. Still, both are good for making whipped cream although the end result will have a slightly different texture.
Let’s see what are the main differences between heavy cream and whipping cream:
Milk Fat
One of the biggest differences between whipping cream and heavy cream is the fat count. Heavy cream or heavy whipping cream must have a minimum of 36% or more milk fat.
Whipping cream, also sometimes labeled as light whipping cream, is as you can imagine lighter, and contains 30% to 35% milk fat.
Texture
Once whipped, heavy cream and whipping cream have slightly different textures. Due to the higher fat count, heavy cream will whip better and can hold its shape longer than whipping cream.
As its name promises, whipping cream also whips well, but due to its lighter fat count has an airier texture. Due to this trait, whipping cream can’t hold any shape once whipped and will likely become loose and liquid after some time.
Calories
If you are watching your calories or have concerns about your nutrition, always go for a lighter option and choose whipping cream. From a nutritional point, heavy cream has 50 calories, 5 grams of fat, and 3.5 grams of saturated fat per tablespoon.
Whipping cream, on the other hand, has 45 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, and 3 grams of saturated fat per tablespoon. Furthermore, whipping cream also tastes lighter and has a softer pillowy texture.
When to Use Heavy Cream?
Due to its higher fat count, heavy cream will whip and hold shape better than whipping cream. Therefore, heavy whipping cream is a better option if you want to make a specific topping, fill a cake, or pipe whipped cream.
Thanks to the extra fat, heavy whipped cream can hold its shape longer, so you can easily create stable peaks or other types of decorations for cakes and desserts.
Furthermore, heavy cream is also a better option for creamy soups, mousse, and casseroles. Besides giving a dish a touch of creaminess, it will also work as a thickening agent and enhance the flavor of other ingredients.
When to Use Whipping Cream?
Whipping cream also whips well, but due to its airy texture, it can’t be used as a filling and will leak everywhere if piped on a cake. However, you can use whipping cream to create whipped cream that can later be spooned on a waffle, fruit, or apple pie.
When well-chilled whipped cream can hold its shape for a while, but it won’t be able to hold as long as heavy whipped cream no matter what you do. Whipped cream is also sometimes used in soups and sauces to give them a lighter texture.
Conclusion
When it comes to making a delicious dessert or baking a cake, finding the perfect type of cream might seem like an impossible feat! And nothing can be more confusing than standing in a grocery store aisle trying to pick between heavy cream vs heavy whipping cream.
The good thing is that you can’t really go wrong, since heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are essentially the same thing. The name depends solely on the brand of the cream, and regardless of your choice, both heavy cream or heavy whipping cream are versatile and can be used for a wide range of recipes.
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