Last Updated on March 22, 2024 by Aaron
There are a lot of questions when it comes to the difference between cream cheese and heavy cream.
Both have their own unique benefits, but which one is healthier for you?
In this blog post, we will explore the differences between these two dairy products and help you decide which one is better for you.
Table of Contents
Are Cream Cheese and Heavy Cream (Heavy Whipping Cream) the Same?
No, they are not the same. Cream cheese and heavy cream are both made from milk and cream. Cream cheese is a soft, spreadable fresh cheese with a slightly tangy flavor and thick texture. Ingredients are cream, milk, stabilizer, salt, and cultures.
Heavy cream essentially means milk fat collected from the top of the milk.
Heavy whipping cream, often called heavy cream, is a type of cream that has a higher fat content than regular whipping cream. It is made with heavy cream, milk, and emulsifiers.
Typically 30% for regular whipping cream, while 36-40% for heavy cream.
So what exactly is the difference between these two products?
Let’s take a closer look at each one:
- Philadelphia Cream cheese has a ~35% fat content, while Heavy cream has a ~36-40% fat content
- Cream cheese tastes slightly tangy, while heavy cream is rich and fatty.
- Cream cheese is often used as a spread or in a variety of recipes, while heavy cream is used for baking and cooking purposes.
Cream Cheese vs Heavy Cream: Which Is Healthier?
Heavy cream has a smooth, creamy consistency that is used in all kinds of desserts like cakes and ice cream.
Due to the higher fat content – It translates to 21% higher cholesterol and 22% higher saturated fat than cream cheese.
When it comes to calories, 2 tablespoons of Original Philadelphia Cream Cheese has 101 calories while Heavy Whipping Cream has 116 calories. Not much different.
Both contain good amounts of Vitamin A, low protein, but heavy cream has a higher calcium content.
Overall when it comes to the health benefits, cream cheese definitely takes the lead. You can learn more about cream cheese nutrition here in this article – Is Cream Cheese Really Good for You?
Can You Substitute Cream Cheese for Heavy Cream?
Cream cheese and heavy cream are having similar consistency, so you can substitute them one-for-one in recipes. But cream cheese has a slightly tangy taste, so if your recipe calls for heavy cream and you use cream cheese instead, the flavor of your dish will be different.
However, there are some ways that you can use cream cheese to replace heavy cream.
For example, if a recipe calls for heavy cream, you can add Philadelphia Cream Cheese to the whipped cream in one-to-one ratio. It gives a better result than using cream cheese alone.
Alternatively, use butter and milk in one-to-three ratio. Slowly blend them with an electric mixer until smooth, and make sure that your ingredients are softened to avoid lumps.
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