What do you do if you suddenly run out of whipping cream while making cakes or desserts? No problem — You can make a smooth and creamy homemade whipping cream substitute at home with just 2 simple ingredients.
Whipping cream is commonly used for cakes, desserts, and gateaux because of its light and fluffy texture. Store-bought whipping cream can be expensive and often comes in large quantities.
I first tried this method when I ran out of cream in the middle of decorating a birthday cake. Since then, it has become my go-to backup whenever I need a quick cream for desserts or cakes.
If you enjoy easy homemade desserts, you might also like my Easy Mango Popsicles for Babies for another refreshing treat idea.
What Is a Homemade Whipping Cream Substitute?
Homemade whipping cream is a simple cream made by blending butter and milk together until smooth, then chilling the mixture until it thickens. Once chilled, it can be whipped and used for cakes, desserts, and light toppings.
This homemade whipping cream substitute is a useful option when you need a quick cream for cakes and desserts but do not have store-bought whipping cream available.
This method does not require heavy cream or any special ingredients. Just unsalted butter and fresh milk — both of which are easy to find and affordable.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Uses only 2 simple ingredients
- Budget-friendly alternative
- Easy for beginners
- Great for cakes and desserts
- Perfect when you run out of whipping cream
Ingredients You’ll Need
This recipe uses only two basic ingredients: unsalted butter and full-fat milk. Optional additions like vanilla essence or icing sugar can be added for extra flavor when using the cream for cakes and desserts.
Homemade Whipping Cream Substitute (2 Ingredients)
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Warm the butter and milk together until the butter melts completely. Stir until smooth.
- Transfer the mixture to a blender and blend for 3–4 minutes until creamy and fully combined.
- Pour into a bowl, cover with cling wrap, and refrigerate for 1 hour.
- Stir gently, cover again, and chill for another 2–3 hours or overnight.
- Whip the chilled mixture with a hand mixer until light and fluffy before using.
Notes
Step 1
✅ First, put the butter and milk in a bowl.
✅The butter should be melted well with the milk.
✅So, melt the butter with the milk in the microwave oven for 30 seconds each.
✅ It doesn’t matter if you melt it using the double boil method.
✅ After the butter has melted well, mix the milk and butter with a spoon.
✅ After a little of this mixture is done, put it in a blender jar and blend well for three to four minutes to mix the butter and milk.
Step 2
✅ Now put this prepared mixture in a bowl.
✅ Now this milk has become thick.
✅ Now cover this bowl with a lunch sheet.
✅ Cover the surface of the mixture with cling wrap so it touches the surface.
✅ Now keep this in the fridge for an hour.
Step 3
✅ After an hour, take it out and stir with a spoon.
✅ Even if it is covered with the lunch sheet, stir it.
✅ Cover it again as before and put it in the fridge for two to three hours to cool.
✅ Now the whipping cream is ready.
✅ When the whipping cream is not at home, beat this whipped cream well and use it for cakes and gateaux. It can be used as icing or ganache.
💡 Instructions for making Whipping Cream
✅ Do not use salted butter as it may alter the taste of the cream.
✅ For the cream to set well, the butter and milk must be melted until it forms a smooth mixture.
✅ Blend the butter and milk well until you get a creamy texture (3–4 minutes).
✅ Keep the mixture in the fridge for at least 2–3 hours to whip it easily.
✅ Use a hand mixer / electric beater to get more volume than you can with a spoon.
✅ Add a little vanilla essence or icing sugar to enhance the taste and aroma.
This works well for simple desserts, similar to some of the light homemade options I share in my Healthy Baby Meal Plan as well.
💡 When to Use This Whipping Cream
This homemade whipping cream works best for simple cakes, desserts, and light toppings.
From my experience, it works well for:
✔ simple sponge cakes
✔ fruit desserts
✔ quick homemade desserts
This cream also works well with my Chocolate Donuts Recipe, Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe, and Easy Mango Popsicles Recipe when you need a simple homemade topping or filling.
Yes. Full-fat milk works best because it helps create a creamier texture.
This usually happens when the mixture was not blended long enough or chilled properly. Blend for at least 3–4 minutes and chill for several hours before whipping.
Yes. Vanilla essence or icing sugar can improve the flavour nicely for cakes and desserts.
No. This is a homemade substitute that works best for lighter desserts and simple toppings. Commercial heavy cream usually has a higher fat content and stronger stability.
Yes. Simply double the ingredients while keeping the same method.
Yes, this cream works well for simple cake icing and light decorations. However, for professional piping or tall layered cakes, store-bought heavy whipping cream usually gives better stability.
No. Freezing changes the texture of the cream and can make it difficult to whip properly after thawing. For best results, store it in the refrigerator and use it within 2 days.
📌 Conclusion
Making a homemade whipping cream substitute at home with just butter and milk is easier than most people think. This cream mixture, which is used for cakes and desserts, is made using only unsalted butter and fresh milk. Next time you run out of cream, try this homemade whipping cream recipe.
If this recipe is important, comment your valuable thoughts below and don’t forget to share it with your friends! ❤️
If you enjoy making homemade desserts, you may also like my Chocolate Ice Cream Recipe or Easy Iced Coffee Recipe for more simple kitchen favorites.
This video is embedded from YouTube to help demonstrate the process. All rights belong to the original creator — wikiHow.
Did you enjoy this recipe?
If you enjoyed this recipe, don’t forget to rate it ⭐ and share your experience!