How Do You Make Cream from Whole Milk?
You can't make true cream from whole milk alone, as cream is the higher-fat portion of milk naturally separated by various methods. However, you can create a heavy cream substitute using whole milk and butter that works well in many recipes.
This method effectively replicates the richness and texture of heavy cream:
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Melt: Melt 1/4 cup (4 tablespoons or half a stick) of unsalted butter. Allow it to cool to room temperature. This provides the fat content missing in whole milk.
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Combine: Whisk the melted butter together with 3/4 cup of whole milk. This simple mixture creates a substitute equivalent to 1 cup of heavy cream.
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Use: This substitute can be used in almost any recipe calling for heavy cream. Remember this is a substitute, not identical to the real thing.
Important Considerations:
- Unsalted Butter: Using unsalted butter allows you to control the salt content in your final product.
- Room Temperature: Ensuring both the butter and milk are at room temperature helps with smooth mixing and emulsification.
- Whisk Thoroughly: Proper whisking is crucial to create a homogeneous mixture.
- Limitations: This substitute may not be suitable for all applications, such as whipping to stiff peaks, where true heavy cream's higher fat content is essential.
This method is supported by multiple sources, including The Kitchn, various TikTok videos, and numerous other online cooking resources.
While some methods mention simmering milk to separate the cream (as described in Sharmis Passions), this requires significantly more time and isn't as direct of a solution as the butter and milk method. This technique only produces a small amount of cream, leaving the remaining milk less fatty. Therefore, the butter and milk method is far more practical for everyday use.
