What can I use instead of half-and-half for cake?
Heavy Cream + Milk at 1/2 cup cream + 1/2 cup milk is the closest match — Closest match for fat content and protein. If that is unavailable, Whole Milk + Butter (7/8 cup milk + 1 tbsp melted butter).
Best Half-and-Half Substitutes for Cakes
Pick substitutes that preserve tenderness, aeration, and even rise in cake batters. Cake structure depends on balanced fat, sugar, and hydration. Wrong swaps can create a dense or dry crumb.
Can I make a cake without half-and-half?
Yes. Start with Heavy Cream + Milk at 1/2 cup cream + 1/2 cup milk, then adjust liquid or bake time in small steps after a test batch.
Top Recommendation
Heavy Cream + Milk
Use 1/2 cup cream + 1/2 cup milk
Closest match for fat content and protein.
View full adjustment notes →How much does 1 cup of half-and-half weigh?
On CupOrGram, 1 cup of half-and-half is treated as 242 grams. Use the conversion page if you want the original ingredient weight before choosing a substitute.
Half-and-Half cups to grams →