The Difference Between Half-And-Half And Heavy Cream

Ever wonder why certain recipes call for half-and-half and others for heavy cream, and whether you can swap one in for the other? Wonder no more.

Like its name suggests, half-and-half is simply equal parts milk and cream. Whereas heavy cream is just, you know, cream. The real difference lies in the fat content: Per the FDA, half-and-half is 10.5 to 18% fat, and heavy cream contains no less than 36%. So when is it OK to use up the half-and-half you have on hand in place of heavy cream in a recipe?

For the most part, half-and-half and heavy cream are interchangeable.

Using half-and-half in place of heavy cream can lighten up a pot of clam chowder without any major consequences, and on the flipside, a drizzle of cream in lieu of half-and-half can add extra richness to a dish of macaroni and cheese.

The only exception to this rule is if you're making whipped cream: The extra fat in heavy cream holds together all the air bubbles you're beating in with your whisk. That's why you also see the label "heavy whipping cream" being thrown around — the minimum fat content is upped to 36%, so it will whip up fluffier and last longer without deflating.