What can I use instead of heavy cream for cake?
Coconut Cream at 1:1 is the closest match — Similar fat content. Whips well when chilled. Adds coconut flavour. If that is unavailable, Milk + Butter (3/4 cup milk + 1/4 cup melted butter).
Best Heavy Cream 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 heavy cream?
Yes. Start with Coconut Cream at 1:1, then adjust liquid or bake time in small steps after a test batch.
Top Recommendation
Coconut Cream
Use 1:1
Similar fat content. Whips well when chilled. Adds coconut flavour.
View full adjustment notes →How much does 1 cup of heavy cream weigh?
On CupOrGram, 1 cup of heavy cream is treated as 238 grams. Use the conversion page if you want the original ingredient weight before choosing a substitute.
Heavy Cream cups to grams →