Skip the dairy with this Vegan Heavy Cream Substitute! Made with just 2 ingredients, it's creamy, rich, and ready in 5 minutes. Perfect for adding a silky touch to your dishes without any hassle!
Whether you're whipping up a batch of creamy soup, indulging in a decadent dessert, or adding richness to your favorite sauces, this vegan alternative is a versatile addition to any kitchen.
Plus, it's not just delicious, but also cholesterol-free, and packed with nutrients. Say goodbye to dairy and hello to a world of plant-based possibilities with this easy-to-make substitute.
Ready to try more vegan kitchen favorites? Start with Vegan Buttermilk, then check out Vegan Butter, Vegan Condensed Milk, and Vegan Cashew Alfredo Sauce!
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🌟 Why you'll love this recipe
- Deliciously Creamy: Indulge in a creamy, rich texture that perfectly complements your favorite dishes, without any dairy.
- Quick and Easy: Ready in just 5 minutes, this dairy-free delight is perfect for when you need a quick, hassle-free option in the kitchen.
- Versatile: From soups to desserts, this recipe is incredibly adaptable and can be used in a variety of sweet and savory dishes.
- Nutritious: Made with only 2 simple ingredients (cashews and water), it's a nutritious and healthy addition to your diet.
- Embrace Dairy-Free Living: Enjoy all the benefits of a dairy-free lifestyle without sacrificing taste or texture in your favorite dishes.
🧾 Ingredient notes
Cashews: For the best results, use raw and unsalted cashews in this recipe. They give your vegan cream substitute its creamy texture without any extra fuss.
Cashews are also packed with good stuff like healthy fats, protein, and important minerals like magnesium and zinc.
If cashews aren't your thing or you have an allergy, there are other options! You can try soaking sunflower seeds just like you would with cashews, and they'll work like a charm.
Another alternative is to soak blanched or slivered almonds in hot water for about an hour, then blend them up until smooth.
And if you're looking for a heavy cream substitute that's ready to go straight out of the can, canned coconut cream is the answer. It's creamy and delicious all by itself.
Just keep in mind, that it does have a coconut flavor, so if that's not your cup of tea, you might want to skip it.
Water: If you want, you can use unsweetened Non-Dairy Milk instead, like Almond Milk, Coconut Milk, Oat Milk, Soy Milk, or Cashew Milk instead of water.
They add extra richness to your heavy cream substitute and give your dishes a tasty boost. So, feel free to experiment with different plant-based milks to find your favorite flavor!
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
📋 Variations
- Coconut Cream Delight: Swap water for full-fat coconut milk to make it extra creamy and give it a tropical twist.
- Nutty Blend: Mix cashews with almonds or hazelnuts for a unique flavor and extra nutrition.
- Vanilla Infusion: Add a splash of Vanilla Extract or scraped vanilla bean for a sweet and fragrant touch to your cream substitute.
- Maple Bliss: Sweeten your cream substitute with a drizzle of maple syrup for a delightful hint of sweetness.
- Spiced Sensation: Enhance the flavor with a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or your favorite spices for a warm and aromatic cream substitute.
🔪 Instructions
Step 1. Soak the cashews overnight. If you’re in a hurry, soak them in hot water for at least 1 hour.
Step 2. The day after, drain and rinse.
Step 3. Blend cashews with water until smooth.
Step 4. Serve immediately.
💭 Expert tips
- Soak Your Cashews: For a smoother texture, soak your raw cashews in water for at least 4 hours or overnight before blending.
- Speedy Soaking: If you're short on time, you can quick-soak the cashews by pouring boiling water over them and letting them sit for 1-2 hours.
- Proper Blending: Use a high-speed blender for the smoothest consistency. Blend until completely smooth, pausing occasionally to scrape down the sides if needed.
- Strain for Silkiness: For an ultra-smooth texture, strain your cream substitute through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any remaining solids.
- Chill Before Serving: For best results, refrigerate it for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the texture to firm up slightly.
❓Recipe FAQs
You can usually keep it in the fridge for about 4 to 5 days. Just put it in a sealed container.
If it looks or smells weird, it's better to toss it out. And give it a good stir before using it if it separates a bit.
Yep, you can freeze it! Just pour it into ice cube trays and freeze it. Once it's frozen solid, you can transfer the cubes to a freezer bag or container for easier storage.
When you need some, just thaw out a cube or two in the fridge or at room temperature.
All you need is a high-speed blender or a food processor to make this recipe. Just toss in the raw cashews and water, blend until smooth, and you're good to go.
Yes, it is highly recommended. Soaking softens the cashews, making them easier to blend and resulting in a smoother and creamier texture.
If you're short on time, you can opt for a quick soak by pouring boiling water over the cashews and letting them sit for about 1 to 2 hours.
However, for the best results, it's ideal to soak them overnight or for at least 4 to 6 hours.
You can use it in lots of different recipes!
It's perfect for making creamy soups, tasty pasta sauces, yummy desserts like ice cream or cheesecake, and you can even add a splash to your morning coffee or tea.
It's super versatile and adds a creamy touch to all sorts of dishes, like curries, vegan mac and cheese, creamy risottos, dairy-free mashed potatoes, and even as a topping for fresh fruit or pancakes.
So feel free to get creative and have fun cooking!
🌱 More dairy-free substitutes
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Vegan Heavy Cream Substitute
Ingredients
- 1 cup raw cashews
- ¾ cup water
Instructions
- Soak the cashews overnight. If you’re in a hurry, soak them in hot water for at least 1 hour.
- The day after, drain and rinse.
- Blend cashews with water until smooth and serve immediately.
Notes
- Soak Your Cashews: For a smoother texture, soak your raw cashews in water for at least 4 hours or overnight before blending.
- Speedy Soaking: If you're short on time, you can quick-soak the cashews by pouring boiling water over them and letting them sit for 1-2 hours.
- Proper Blending: Use a high-speed blender for the smoothest consistency. Blend until completely smooth, pausing occasionally to scrape down the sides if needed.
- Strain for Silkiness: For an ultra-smooth texture, strain your cream substitute through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth to remove any remaining solids.
- Chill Before Serving: For best results, refrigerate it for at least an hour before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together and the texture to firm up slightly.
Nancy says
Hi, can this be used for desserts as well or doesn't it have that type of flavor?
Iosune Robles says
Hi! Feel free to use it for your desserts 🙂