These 7 Uses for Dairy-Free Heavy Whipping Cream Will Make You a Believer

Over the past few decades, we’ve seen multiple waves of vegan products. First came innovations in pantry and refrigerator staples like dairy-free milk and plant-based meats, then we saw major advances in dairy-free cheese and frozen novelties. 

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Now, we’re in the era of vegan specialties. We’re talking about vegan marshmallow cream, frozen vegan sushi rolls, and even dairy-free heavy whipping cream. While the latter may seem niche, dairy-free heavy whipping cream is a sleeper staple. With applications in both sweet and savory dishes, this product can make you fall head-over-heels over a bowl of velvety mashed potatoes or swoon after just one bite of a pillowy peanut butter pie. 

Here are our favorite brands and uses for dairy-free heavy whipping cream. 

What is heavy whipping cream? 

Traditionally, heavy whipping cream (or heavy cream, for shorthand) is a viscous, dairy-based product containing 36 to 40 percent milkfat. It is made by skimming the top layer of cream from a vessel of fresh, non-homogenized cow’s milk. 

Califia Farms

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The dairy-free version of heavy whipping cream is created a bit differently. In lieu of cow’s milk, dairy-free heavy whipping cream can be made from a variety of high-fat sources such as coconut cream, non-dairy milk, coconut oil, and other vegetable oils, depending on the brand. Many also contain lentil or fava bean protein isolate as an emulsifier, which prevents the fat solids from separating. Like dairy-based heavy whipping cream, the non-dairy versions are unsweetened and incredibly versatile, perfect for both sweet and savory dishes

Let’s be clear: heavy whipping cream and whipped cream are not exactly the same. Whipped cream is made from literally whipping heavy cream into a voluptuous, cloud-like texture; the latter is more versatile and can be used with or without whipping.     

Dairy-free substitutes for heavy whipping cream 

These days, there are several brands offering one-for-one vegan swaps for heavy whipping cream. While chilled coconut cream could be used in a pinch, it’s often finicky and comes with an unavoidable coconut flavor. That strong coconut taste may work in a chocolate silk pie, but less so in a creamy mac and cheese. 

Califia Farms

With so many brands offering reliable heavy whipping cream options, we say take the trusted-and-true route and opt for a heavy whipping cream from Silk, Califia, Country Crock, or Violife. 

Use dairy-free heavy whipping cream in these 7 delicious recipes

Whether you lean sweet or savory, heavy whipping cream can be a key ingredient to all of your favorite recipes. Here are a few of our favorite ways to use dairy-free heavy whipping cream. 

Big Box Vegan

1 Fluffy cream-based pies 

From classic chocolate silk pie to refreshingly minty grasshopper pie, heavy whipping cream is essential to attain that light-as-air-yet-decadent texture. For these pies, you’ll want to enlist the help of a stand mixer or prepare yourself for a very heavy arm workout if using a handheld mixture. For a cream-based pie, you’ll incorporate the heavy whipping cream as one of the last ingredients and whip until light and fluffy, then refrigerate until set.
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Go Dairy Free

2 Old-fashioned ice box cakes

When using store-bought ingredients, this classic American dessert is as simple as they come. All you need is a thin wafer cookie or graham cracker, sweetened whipped cream, and four hours of chilling time. Beat dairy-free heavy whipping cream with a bit of sugar and your flavor of choice (see flavored whipping cream below), slather between layers of your favorite thin cookie, and let it set in the refrigerator for a few hours or overnight. As the dessert chills, the cream soaks into the cookie and creates a soft, cake-like texture. This is one of those recipes where the result is far superior than the sum of its humble ingredients. For even more recipe inspiration, check out our guide to ice box cakes.
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Terry Sargent

3 DIY flavored whipped cream

Is there any dessert that isn’t improved by a generous dollop of whipped cream? Because heavy whipping cream is so neutral, it can be easily doctored up to suit a variety of sweets, from hot chocolate to ice cream sundaes. Try adding a bit of maple syrup for a maple-flavored whip (great for topping pecan pie), a pinch of espresso powder and a few tablespoons of sugar for coffee whip (hello, espresso martini), a touch of bourbon for a boozy whip (we’ll eat that straight from the spoon … or serve with caramel ice cream).
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Shanika Graham-White

4 Decadent frostings and ganaches

Heavy whipping cream provides a rich texture to classic frostings—think luscious American buttercream and rich chocolate ganaches. A few tablespoons go a long way. Simply swap in dairy-free heavy whipping cream for the non-dairy milk in any American buttercream or ganache recipe. It’s a one-for-one swap making this an easy, stress-free adjustment in any recipe.
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Danielle Keith

5 Creamy pasta bakes

Any pasta bake is much improved by a tipple of heavy whipping cream. It makes the sauce that much more creamy and indulgent, and thanks to the emulsifiers, it can also keep your sauce from breaking. Again, you don’t need much to enhance your recipe. Swap in a few tablespoons for the non-dairy milk in your favorite pasta bake recipe, or add a tablespoon to your go-to boxed mac and cheese and cut down a tablespoon of the butter.
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Rabbit and Wolves

6 Rich pot pies and quiches

Add another dimension of satiety to any savory pot pie or vegan quiche filling with a tablespoon or two of heavy whipping cream. We love adding this ingredient to cream-based savory pie fillings for a more viscous sauce that clings to every bit of pastry. It can also lighten up a tofu or vegan egg-based quiche when whipped into the mixture just before baking.
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Brian L. Patton

7 Indulgent mashed potatoes

Quality mashed potatoes are defined by their high fat-to-potato ratio. Dairy-free butter adds a necessary richness, but a bit of heavy whipping cream can transform dense or gloopy spuds into an airy, melt-in-your-mouth side dish. To achieve this texture, whip mashed potatoes in a stand mixer on medium-high, adding heavy whipping cream a tablespoon at a time until your preferred lightness is achieved.
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Tanya Flink is a Digital Editor at VegNews as well as a writer and runner living in Orange County, CA.