Heavy cream is a versatile ingredient found in countless recipes—from baking to soups, sauces, and desserts. However, if you are in Australia, you might struggle to find a product labeled “heavy cream” in local stores. This is because dairy products in Australia are labelled differently. Knowing what heavy cream is called in Australia and how to use it ensures your recipes turn out just right.
What is heavy cream?
Heavy cream is a rich, high-fat dairy product made from the fat that rises to the top of fresh milk. Its thick consistency and capacity to whip into soft or stiff peaks are well-known; it typically contains at least 36% fat.
It is commonly used in:
- Baking: Cakes, pastries, and desserts
- Cooking: Creamy soups, sauces, and pasta dishes
- Whipping: Topping for desserts and hot drinks
In many countries, heavy cream is also referred to as heavy whipping cream since it keeps its form when beaten.
What is heavy cream called in Australia?
Australia does not specifically label heavy cream under the name. The two closest alternatives are pure cream and thickened cream. Although their compositions differ slightly, but both have similar properties.
- Pure Cream – It contains at least 35% fat and does not include any added stabilisers or thickeners. It is the most naturally occurring form of cream, looking rather like heavy cream.
- Thickened Cream – Due to the presence of stabilisers like vegetable gum or gelatine, thickened cream with 35 to 38 % fat is more stable and easier to whisk.
While pure cream is ideal for those preferring fewer additives, both types can typically be used interchangeably in recipes calling for heavy cream. However, thickened cream tends to hold its shape better when whipped.
Other types of cream in Australia
Australia boasts a range of cream products; knowing their variations will enable you to select the correct one for your recipe.
1. Double cream
- Fat Content: 45% or higher
- Usually presented over sweets with spoons, extra rich and thick.
- Excellent for adding depth but not best for whipping.
2. Cooking cream
- Fat content: 20-30%
- Made especially to fight curdling under heat.
- Perfect for soups, pasta courses, and creamy sauces.
3. Whipping cream
- Fat content: 30-35%
- Suitable for whipping, could require more time because of the lower fat content.
- Stabilisers would help to enhance texture.
4. Pouring cream
- Fat content: Around 35%
- Thin consistency reflects the cream fat level and is appropriate for pouring over sweets.
- Not intended for whippings.
Can thickened cream replace heavy cream?
Yes, thickened cream serves as the best direct alternative to heavy cream in Australian recipes. It’s virtually similar fat level qualifies for both sweet and savoury cuisine. Pure cream is a great alternative, if you like a cream free of additions.
For baking, cake fillings, and frostings, thickened is a perfect choice since it whips up quickly and maintains shape longer. In soups, sauces, and pasta recipes, pure cream and thickened cream mix readily without curdling.
Conversely, pure cream might be a better option if you are making a recipe that calls for constant heat as it lacks stabilisers, which might cause texture to migrate slightly at high temperatures.
How to make heavy cream at home?
If you run out of pure or thickened cream, you can create a basic heavy cream substitute with everyday kitchen ingredients. One effective method involves:
- ¾ cup full cream milk
- ¼ cup melted unsalted butter
Mix these thoroughly to get a fat consistency like that of heavy cream. For baking and cooking, this substitute performs nicely; unfortunately, it does not whip like real heavy cream. Thickened cream is better if you wish whipped cream.
One nice nondairy substitute is coconut cream. Its thick texture allows one to easily spin it into a fluffy consistency. It will, however, give a faint coconut taste, which might not go with every recipe.
How to use pure cream in recipes
Replace pure cream in a recipe calling for heavy cream.
- Whipped cream – Cool the cream and whisk it momentarily with sugar to create soft peaks.
- Sauces & Soups – Stir in pure cream to give soups and pasta sauces a rich, creamy texture.
- Baking – Add pure cream to provide custards, cheesecakes, and cake mixes a smooth consistency.
- Coffee & Drinks – For an extra rich taste, pour a small bit into coffee, hot chocolate, or drinks.
Where can you buy heavy cream in Australia?
Since heavy cream is not sold under that name, you should search for pure cream or thickened cream at specialised stores and big supermarkets. Some reliable suppliers of these creams consist of:
- Coles – Has a large range of pure and thickened creams produced by different companies.
- Woolworths – Regular pure and thickened cream as well as organic and lactose-free varieties are sold by Woolworths.
- Aldi – Offers reasonably priced, premium dairy cream products.
- IGA – IGA markets cream brands created both locally and internationally.
- Farmers’ Markets and local dairies – Certain fresh, raw cream choices can come from small-scale dairy farms.
To make sure you are using the correct cream for your recipe, always check the product label for fat content and extra ingredients.
Is double cream the same as heavy cream?
No, Double cream stands very apart from heavy cream. Since double cream has at least 48% fat, it is much richer and thicker than ordinary cream. Rich sauces or pouring over sweets usually call for it.
Using double cream could produce a recipe calling for heavy cream that is overly thick. Use either pure or thickened cream instead to achieve a closer match.
Potential downsides of heavy cream
Though a great and flexible component, heavy cream has certain factors to consider.
- High Fat & Calorie content – Low-fat or low-calorie diets might not be suited for heavy cream, high in fat and calories.
- Additives in thickened cream – Certain thickened cream brands use gelatine or vegetable gums as stabilisers. Pure cream is the greatest choice if you wish a natural remedy.
- Lactose intolerance issues – Those who are lactose intolerant could have to use dairy-free replacements as lactose-free cream or coconut cream.
Conclusion
If you come across a recipe calling for heavy cream in Australia, you can boldly replace thickened cream or pure cream. These two choices guarantee that your dishes keep their richness and smooth consistency since their textures and fat amounts are the same. Anyone searching for a natural substitute free of ingredients should go for pure cream. If you want a cream that is easy to whip and keeps shape well, thickened cream is your best choice. Knowing the variations among creams can help you choose the ideal one for your recipes, baking, dessert making, or creamy sauce preparation.
Look for pure or thickened cream the next time you visit a supermarket; Australia has the ideal replacement for heavy cream!
