Heavy Cream vs. Thickened Cream: the cream has gained popularity in a few years due to its versatility. It is obtained from fresh milk and can be used in many recipes and food products. Heavy and thickened creams are some of the most popular types. The main difference between heavy cream and thickened cream is due to their milk percentage and fat content.
Let’s take a closer look at Heavy Cream versus Thickened Cream
| Origin | Heavy cream originated in North America, while thickened cream in Australia. |
| Surface | Heavy cream has a smoother surface than thickened cream |
| Fat Content | A high amount of fat content is present in both creams |
| Costly | Heavy cream is more expensive than thickened cream |
Table of Contents
What is Heavy Cream?
Heavy cream, a staple ingredient in many cuisines, is made from the high-fat part of fresh milk. This cream first originated in North America. It is known by different names in different countries like whipping creams in the USA, full cream in Swiss and pure cream in Australia. This cream can be whipped well and holds its shape, making it a good option for pastry filling or used as piping for desserts like cakes and cookies. Heavy cream is also used to increase the creaminess and richness of the dishes as it contains 36-40% of milk fat, which is responsible for the silky consistency in recipes. Heavy cream has a gentle texture, but it can become harder when left in the fridge for 1-2 hours, but beating it after becoming hard can enhance its volume.
What is Thickened Cream?
Thickened cream, also known as pouring cream, contains 18% of milk within its constituents. This cream is mostly used in cakes and pastries toppings. But it is only used in confectionery as it takes a lot of time to be prepared. This cream originated in Australia, and some ingredients, like gelatin, gum, and other thickening agents, were added to prevent separation and make it easier to whip. Thickened cream does not have a large amount of milk and has a smoother surface. This cream can be added to ganache, panna cotta, and as a dessert topping. It can also give soups and pasta a rich, creamy flavor. Some people also like adding a little thickened cream into their coffee to increase its richness.
7 Key Differences Between Heavy Cream and Thickened Cream
| Components | Heavy Cream | Thickened Cream |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Heavy cream is a term used in the US for the cream, which consists of more than 36% fats. | Thickened cream is a term that is used in Australia for the cream, which consists of 30-35% fats and some additional thickeners. |
| Also Known As | It is also known as heavy whipping cream because it whips well and has a double volume. | It is also known as pouring cream because it is thin enough to be poured off. |
| Additives | Heavy cream has its thickness naturally. Therefore no additives are added to it. | Thickens cream consists of thickening agents and additives, like vegetable gum and additives. |
| Milk Percentage | It contains a large quantity of milk. As 36% of fat present within this cream is milk fat | It does not have much quantity of milk, as it has only 18% of milk fat |
| Shelf Life | Heavy cream can be frozen and used in different recipes. It also has a long shelf life when kept in the fridge. | It does not last long as compared to heavy cream. It has a short life even kept in the fridge. |
| Melting | It does not take much time to be melted, and in mixing | It requires a lot of time to be mixed and melt |
| Used For | Heavy cream is used in decorating pies, cakes, ganaches, and sauces. It is also used in making soups and ice cream. | This lightweight cream adds thickness and is a topping on desserts, like pavlova and cakes. |
Heavy Cream And Thickened Cream Similarities
- Whether it is Heavy cream or thickened cream, both have similar looks
- Both creams are high in calories and are not a good choice for people with lactose intolerance.
Heavy Cream Thickened
When we talk about thick cream vs. heavy cream, both are different in their composition, texture, and purposes. But heavy cream can also be thickened. There are several ways through which you can get thickened heavy cream, like whisking it, adding gelatin, sugar gum, and flour in it, or mixing it with cream cheese. Reducing heavy cream on the stove can also be a way to make it thicken.
Heavy Cream vs. Thickening Cream Pros and Cons
Heavy Cream Pros and Cons
Pros of Heavy Cream
- Heavy cream is used in many ways in home cooking and food manufacturing.
- Heavy creams not only contain a high amount of healthy fats but are also a good source of vitamins and minerals.
Cons of Heavy Cream
- Heavy cream contains a large number of calories and can not be a part of a calorie-restricted diet.
- Heavy cream is not a good option for people with lactose intolerance because it can trigger the symptoms.
Thickening Cream Pros and Cons
Pros of Thickening Cream
- Thickened cream has a thicker texture and holds its shape even after beating.
- Thickening cream is also used in desserts like trifles and also as a topping on cakes. It can also be whipped onto fruit crumbles or pies.
Cons of Thickening Cream
- Thickening cream contains a high-fat dairy, resulting in a higher risk of dementia and worse breast cancer survival rates.
- Thickened cream can only be used in a very small amount within recipes or desserts, as it is high in calories.
Comparison Chart
Comparison Video
Conclusion
The heavy and thickened cream is made from fresh milk and looks the same. But if we talk about the heavy cream vs. thickened cream difference, heavy cream is a natural cream with high-fat content, while thickened cream has some additive agents like gelatin and gum in it. Thickened cream also has less fat content than heavy cream. But heavy cream is easier to use for topping and piping because it can be whipped and does not change its shape after whipping. Thickened cream, on the other hand, is used to add thickness and richness to the recipes. It can be added to coffee as well.
