Is there anything worse than pouring up your first cup of coffee for the day, only to realize the carton of half-and-half is empty? Or maybe you're suddenly struck by the urge to make your own ice cream and you have everything you need except for half-and-half. Don't worry—all hope is not lost! As long as you have milk and cream, butter, or even flour, you can make your own half-and-half right at home.

2

Make a 3-to-1 mixture of whole milk and heavy cream.

  1. Stir together 34 cup (180 ml) of whole milk and 14 cup (59 ml) of heavy cream. This will give you a version of half-and-half that's a little creamier and richer than the original. It's a good substitute in a pinch, but you might want to use a little less in your coffee than you normally would.[2]
    • This is an especially good substitute when you need half-and-half for baked goods or ice cream, since the extra richness won't be as noticeable.
3

Blend 2 parts skim milk with 1 part heavy cream.

  1. Measure out 23 cup (160 ml) of skim, 1%, or 2% milk. Then, add 13 cup (79 ml) of heavy cream and stir well. The result will taste surprisingly close to the half-and-half you're used to getting from the store![3]
    • A little splash of this is perfect in your morning coffee, but it will replace half-and-half in any recipe, as well.
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4

Use butter and milk to replace half-and-half in baked goods.

  1. Melt 2 tbsp (28 g) of butter and pour it into a 1 cup (240 ml) measuring cup. Then, fill the measuring cup the rest of the way full of milk. Whisk the mixture quickly to incorporate the butter, then add what you need to your recipe.[4]
    • If the butter clumps when you add the milk, microwave the mixture for about 15 seconds, then stir it again.
    • This won't taste much like commercial half-and-half, so it's not ideal for coffee or ice cream. However, it will give you the fat content that you need to replace half-and-half in something like a cake recipe.[5]
5

Whisk cornstarch or flour into milk for a quick replacement.

  1. Measure out 1 cup (240 ml) of milk. Then, whisk in about 1 tbsp (8 g) of flour or cornstarch. This will thicken the milk, giving it a consistency that's a little closer to half-and-half. However, keep in mind that the taste may not be exactly the same.[6]
    • The fat content of this mixture will be lower than that of half-and-half, so it's not a perfect substitute for baked goods. However, if you just don't like the watery consistency of coffee mixed with plain milk, this can help get you through until you can get to the store.
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6

Make your own dairy-free alternative with coconut cream.

  1. Mix equal parts coconut cream with plant-based milk to make vegan half-and-half. If you can't find coconut cream, refrigerate a can of whole-fat coconut milk. Open the can carefully—be sure you don't tilt it—then skim the thick cream off the top of the can. Then, mix that with an equal amount of almond milk, soy milk, or your favorite dairy-free milk alternative.[7]
    • You could also just use the coconut milk in your coffee, but it will have a strong coconut taste.
    • Keep in mind that coconut cream isn't the same thing as cream of coconut—cream of coconut has added sugar, while coconut cream does not.[8]

About This Article

Amy Bobinger
Co-authored by:
wikiHow Staff Writer
This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Amy Bobinger. Amy Bobinger has been a writer and editor at wikiHow since 2017. She especially enjoys writing articles that help people overcome interpersonal hurdles but frequently covers a variety of subjects, including health and wellness, spirituality, gardening, and more. Amy graduated with a B.A. in English Lit from Mississippi College in 2011 and now lives in her hometown with her husband and two young sons. This article has been viewed 18,002 times.
10 votes - 90%
Co-authors: 5
Updated: August 25, 2021
Views: 18,002
Categories: Drinks
Article SummaryX

There are several different ways you can make your own half and half depending on what you have in the kitchen. You can mix equal parts whole milk and light cream, or 3 parts whole milk and 1 part heavy cream. If you only have skim milk, mix 2 parts skim milk with 1 part heavy cream. If you just need half and half for baking, melt 2 tablespoons of butter, pour it into a 1 cup measuring cup, then fill the rest with milk. Stir the mixture into your recipe. To learn how to make dairy-free half and half, scroll down!

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