Homemade whipped cream makes everyone happy—no slice of homemade pie is complete without it! But the dairy section of the supermarket can be a little confusing: What's the difference between heavy cream vs. whipping cream? And what about whipping cream vs. heavy whipping cream? Are they all the same, and does it matter what you get?
Good news: Heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are essentially the same thing and can be used incherchangeably. Whipping cream, however, is slightly different—it contains less milk fat and is sometimes labeled light whipping cream for that reason. You can swap one for the other in most instances, as long as you know the end results will be slightly different.
Read on for more on heavy cream vs. heavy whipping cream vs. whipping cream! Then it’s time for the fun part: making something rich and creamy. Even better news: You can make both savory and sweet recipes with all three.
What Is the Difference Between Heavy Cream and Heavy Whipping Cream?
There's really no difference! Both heavy cream and heavy whipping cream have over 36% milk fat, and the name just depends on the brand. But make sure you're reading the label carefully. Heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are the same thing, but whipping cream is a little different because it contains less fat, between 30% to 35%, so it's slightly lighter. Bottom line: If you see the word "heavy," it's the higher-fat kind; if you don't, it's lighter.
Can I Use Whipping Cream Instead of Heavy Cream in Recipes?
For recipes like creamy soups, you could use heavy cream, heavy whipping cream, or whipping cream, depending on how rich you want the final result to be. Use whipping cream for something a little lighter, and heavy cream for the creamiest possible result.
Heavy cream and heavy whipping cream are best for making whipped cream—they whip up well and hold their shape. You can whip up whipping cream too, but it will have a lighter, airier texture, and it won't hold its peaks for quite as long. In general, you’ll ger a lighter result with whipping cream vs. heavy whipping cream.
