milk.org | Cream

Types of Cream

Half & Half Cream
- Half & Half Cream
- Light Cream
- Whipping Cream
- Sour Cream

Half & Half Cream

Half and half cream is one half whole milk and one half cream and usually falls in between the 10% milk fat range. It’s a great, low-fat alternative to using heavy cream in cooking (however, half and half can’t be whipped).

Light Cream

Light cream is a delicious, everyday cream with 5-6% milk fat. It adds a little creamy richness to morning coffee or is perfect to drizzle over fresh berries for a sweet snack.

Whipping Cream

Sometimes referred to as "heavy cream," whipping cream gets its silky, smooth texture from its higher fat content (typically between 33-35%). Whip it for a perfect dessert topping or add flavour and depth to creamy soups or pasta sauces like Alfredo or Carbonara.

Sour Cream

Another staple in your fridge! This savoury dish sidekick is a fermented dairy product that has a similar consistency to yogurt. However, sour cream is made from fermenting cream, whereas yogurt is made from fermenting milk.

There’s also crème fraîche, which is like sour cream’s thicker, richer, less-tangy cousin. It has a higher milk fat content that makes it better for cooking since it’s less prone to curdling when simmered!

How is cream made?

Cream can be made in a variety of ways, but it usually goes a little something like this.

From milk to cream

First, fresh milk is transported from our farms and pasteurized so that the cream can be separated from the milk.

Separating the cream

A centrifugal machine spins the milk around a fixed centre – similar to a washing machine – to separate the cream from the milk.

All kinds of cream

The cream that is separated in the centrifugal machine is usually 35% milk fat, so to make all the different kinds of cream, milk is added back in.

When to use different creams

Banana cream pie made with whipped cream

Make your own whipped cream

Sometimes, homemade just tastes better. Use a hand mixer or immersion blender to turn fresh whipping cream into a delicious topping for your homemade pie.

Try sour cream in baking

Just like adding yogurt, sour cream adds moisture to baked goods that make them richer and fluffier. You can also try sour cream in glazes or icings by combining it with powdered sugar.