Coffee is a flavorsome and aromatic drink that has found its way to people’s hearts in every corner of the world. But it’s also a very versatile beverage that can be brewed in many ways and enjoyed hot or cold.
One great thing about coffee is that you can also mix it with various ingredients from whole milk and ice cream to sweeteners like caramel and chocolate.
But can you put heavy whipping cream in coffee?
Yes, of course, you can! And it will give a tasty twist to your cup of coffee.
Read this article and learn how to make coffee with heavy whipping cream in many different and delicious ways.
How to Make Coffee with Heavy Whipping Cream
Heavy whipping cream combined with hot coffee creates a full-bodied a flavorful drink.
One important thing to remember before making coffee with heavy whipping cream is to ensure the cream is not expired. This should go without saying, but we have to mention it because some people like their coffee so much they could accidentally drink whipped cream that is already expired.
Here are three tasty ways to enjoy your coffee with heavy whipping cream:
1. Simple Hot Coffee with Heavy Whipping Cream
This one is very simple.
- First, make a nice cup of hot coffee with your favorite method. You can use a French press, drip or pour-over, Aeropress, Moka pot, espresso machine, or whatever is your favorite style of brewing a cup.
- Heat up the heavy cream to about 140 – 150 degrees Fahrenheit (55 – 65°C) and pour the desired amount into your coffee.
- Enjoy!
HOT TIP: The stronger your coffee is the more cream you can add. For example, if you used an espresso machine you can add plenty of cream without overpowering the taste of coffee.
2. Iced Coffee with Heavy Whipping Cream
Cold coffee is great, especially on a hot summer day. It also pairs well with heavy cream.
Here is how to prepare iced or cold-brewed creamy coffee:
- Make some hot coffee and then chill it in the refrigerator or pour it over a generous amount of ice. Another option is to make cold-brewed coffee.
- Add chilled heavy whipping cream and enjoy your cold and creamy coffee!
3. Hot or Iced Coffee Topped With Whipped Cream
Instead of just adding the hot cream to your coffee you make it into whipped cream first. This works well with both hot or iced coffee.
Here is how to do it:
- Add some heavy cream or heavy whipping cream into a mixing bowl. The colder the cream is, the easier it will whip.
- You can also add some additional ingredients like sugar and vanilla extract.
- Use an electric mixer (on medium speed) or hand mixer to whip the cream. Whip until it has a billowy and smooth texture.
- Pour over your coffee and enjoy!
You can also combine this method with either previous ones in this article by first making hot or cold coffee with heavy cream and then topping it off with whipped cream.
What Kind of Coffee is Best With Heavy Whipping Cream?
You can add heavy whipping cream to almost any kind of coffee but you might also risk overpowering the taste of coffee with the cream.
One important thing to consider before adding heavy cream to coffee is the type of roast you are using to brew your cup.
Light roast coffee doesn’t work that well with heavy whipping cream. You can add a splash if you want, but more than that is not recommended.
Medium roast coffee can usually hold its own when paired with heavy cream. Just make sure the coffee is strong enough and don’t add too much cream.
Medium-dark roast and dark roast work really well. The intense and deep flavors of darker roasts create a nice combination with heavy whipping cream.
Heavy Whipping Cream in Coffee
To better understand how to use heavy whipping cream in coffee, let’s take a quick look at what it is and how it compares to other types of milk products.
What is Heavy Whipping Cream?
Heavy whipping cream is a dairy product yielding a higher fat content and less lactose than milk. It’s made by mixing milk and milk fa and has 36% or higher fat content.
One-half cup of heavy whipping cream has 400 calories and 43 grams of fat. It only has 3 grams of protein and carbs each but is rich in fat-soluble vitamins, including vitamins A, D, E, and K.
Heavy Whipping Cream vs. Milk
The difference between heavy whipping cream and milk is that heavy whipping cream contains significantly more milk fat and fat-soluble vitamins. Heavy whipping cream also has a lower carbohydrate content than milk, making it easier for some people to follow the ketogenic diet.
Heavy Whipping Cream vs. Heavy Cream
Heavy whipping cream is actually the same thing as heavy cream — different brands just use a different name for their products.
Heavy Whipping Cream vs. Whipping Cream
The main difference between heavy whipping cream and whipping cream is that heavy whipping cream has a higher fat content than the latter. It can also be a bit more expensive when comparing the two.
3 Tips for Using Heavy Whipping Cream in Coffee
Here are three rules of thumb you want to keep in mind when using heavy whipping cream in coffee:
- Keep the container tightly closed when storing it in the refrigerator and make sure it’s not expired before using it.
- Before adding the cream to hot coffee, heat it to about 140 – 150 °F (55 – 65°C). This will break down the lactose and bring out the cream’s natural sweetness.
- Don’t add too much heavy cream to light roasted and mildly brewed coffee. Dark roast espresso can hold its own even if you add the same amount of cream as there is espresso.
If all of these rules are followed, the coffee will come out very tasty and smooth.
Does the Heavy Whipping Cream curdle coffee?
No, heavy whipping cream does not curdle coffee.
Can You Use Heavy Whipping Cream Instead of Half and Half?
You can use heavy whipping cream instead of half and half in coffee. The difference is that heavy whipping cream has about three times more fat compared to half and half.
Storage and Shelf Life of Heavy Whipping Cream
How to Tell if Heavy Whipping Cream Has Gone Bad?
Heavy whipping cream can become lumpy when it is old. This is because the fat in the whipping cream has broken down. If you notice this, throw it away. It won’t taste right, and there’s a possibility that it can make you sick.
How Long is Heavy Whipping Cream Good For in the Fridge?
Heavy whipping cream must be kept refrigerated at all times and has a shelf life of about one month before it expires.
Can You Freeze Heavy Whipping Cream?
If your heavy cream is about to expire you can freeze it and keep it for a few more months. However, this will affect the texture of the cream and we don’t recommend freezing it.
How Much Heavy Whipping Cream Should I Put in Coffee?
The amount of heavy whipping cream you put in your coffee can vary depending on the size of your cup, the strength of your brew, how your coffee is roasted. For a small cup, one tablespoon is enough, while a large cup may need two tablespoons.
If you have strong coffee brewed with dark roasted beans, you can increase the amount of cream you add.
Heavy Whipping Cream and Diet
Is Coffee with Heavy Whipping Cream Bad for Your Diet?
Coffee with heavy whipping cream is not necessarily bad for your health because it does not have much carbohydrates or sugars.
However, it has plenty of calories and saturated fats. The good thing is that doesn’t have any trans fats, which are very unhealthy.
How Many Calories Are in Heavy Whipping Cream?
There are about 51 calories in 1 tbsp (or 15 grams) of heavy whipping cream. The calories come mostly from fat.
Can I Use Heavy Whipping Cream in My Coffee on Keto?
Yes, you can use heavy whipping cream in your coffee on keto because it does not contain much carbs or sugars. There are only 0.42 grams of carbs in one tablespoon of heavy cream.