•  
  • Nav Social Icons

  • Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
    • Homepage
    • Jump to the Latest
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Main Course
    • Soups, Salads & Sandwiches
    • Starters, Sides & Small Bites
    • Sauce & Dips
    • Sweet Treats & Desserts
    • Drinks
  • Vegan Resources
  • Recipe Videos
    • YouTube Videos
    • Instagram Reels
  • About
    • Meet Liv
  • Contact
    • Contact Me
    • Work With Me
  • Mobile Menu Widgets

    Stay Connected

    Search

Liv Vegan Strong

Liv Vegan Strong

Easy Vegan Comfort Food Recipes

  • Home
    • Homepage
    • Most Recent
  • Recipes
    • All Recipes
    • Breakfast & Brunch
    • Soups, Salads & Sandwiches
    • Main Course
    • Starters, Sides & Small Bites
    • Sweet Treats & Desserts
    • Drinks
    • Sauce & Dips
  • Vegan Resources
  • Recipe Videos
    • YouTube Videos
    • Instagram Reels
  • Contact
    • Meet Liv
    • Contact Me
    • Work With Me

Vegan Heavy Cream Substitute (Cashew Cream)

June 23, 2022 · Last Modified: June 23, 2022

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Have you been wondering how to replace heavy cream? This vegan heavy cream substitute is perfect for anywhere cream is called for! You can add this cashew cream to soups, curry, pasta dishes, mashed potatoes and even coffee to add a delicious creamy element.

vegan heavy cream surrounded by cashews and lemon slice.

Learn how to make this vegan cream recipe, quickly and easily! This super simple recipe uses minimal ingredients and is a staple in my kitchen. Use your cashew cream as a vegan replacement for heavy cream in recipes like soups, sauces, salad dressings and so much more.


Recipe Ingredients 

This vegan heavy cream substitute is so rich and creamy and only contains 3 ingredients! It can be made ahead of time and can even be frozen and kept for up to 2 months so you can have delicious creamy dishes in no time.

  • Cashews
  • Unsweetened Plant Milk
  • Water

Ingredient Notes

  • Cashews: Raw cashews that are unsalted are preferred.
  • Creamy Unsweet Plant Milk: I used the extra creamy oat milk from Planet Oat but soy milk will also work as well as almond milk.
  • Water: You can use more non-dairy milk but I like to add water to cut the cost.
  • Salt: Just a bit! It’s optional but recommended. If you are using this in savory dishes, you’ll need more but I opted to salt the dish and not this vegan cream recipe simply because I wanted to use it in a variety of different ways.
heavy cream ingredients in small bowls.

Kitchen Equipment

In order to make this cashew cream recipe you’ll need a high speed blender. The cashews are soaked which help with blending but you don’t want this to have a gritty texture or it won’t incorporate well in to other recipes.


How to Make This Recipe

Bring 1 cup of water to a boil- this is for soaking the cashews and will ensure that they are smooth and not gritty.

Add the cashews in to a bowl and pour the hot water over the top. Let soak for at least 30 minutes. 

Add the soaked cashews, plant milk and water to a blender and blend until you get a very smooth texture. It should be silky smooth to the touch and not grainy when touched.


More Cream Substitutes

Cream is more difficult to replace than dairy milk but not anymore. Vegan cooking has come along way and there are so many heavy cream alternatives now. You can use this delicious cashew based cream recipe or opt for a nut-free version by using tofu or coconut cream. Brands are even creating perfect substitutes if you’re interested in store-bought versions!

Sunflower Seeds: If you’re allergic to cashews or are nut-free then using shelled soaked sunflower seeds will also work.

Tofu: Simply blend a block of silken tofu with the milk until creamy and smooth. I wouldn’t add the water until after blending the first time so you can add as needed and thin out to your preference.

Blanched Almonds: Almonds with the skins removed will work very similar to cashews so if you’re allergic to cashews, this is a good alternative.

Full Fat Canned Coconut Cream: By far the most popular cream alternative. I like to put the can in the fridge overnight and use the creamy white part and drain the water. If you dislike the taste of coconut, this cashew version is a better fit for you.


Store-Bought Alternatives

Vegan Coffee Creamer: Find this in the coffee creamer section in the fridge along with the other non-dairy milks. Make sure you are getting an unsweetened creamer. This isn’t just for coffee, it can work in recipes that require heavy cream. The version linked is made from oats but they also have almond variety as well.

Silk Heavy Whipping Cream: I don’t recommend this product for whipping (couldn’t get it to work!) but it is a great product for adding to recipes that require a heavy cream.

Flora Heavy Whipping Cream: Haven’t personally tried this variety but it looks promising and can probably work well for recipes that require cream. Can’t say much about the ability to whip.


Serving Ideas

There are so many ways to use this delicious dairy-free alternative. It’s the perfect replacement to add to dishes that you want extra creamy, ranging from coffee creamer to milkshakes to pasta or curry. This is truly a good base for just about anything creamy!

  • Coffee Creamer: Use as a creamer in my Chai Spiced Shaken Espresso, Vegan Mocha Latte (Homemade Chocolate Sauce! or Vegan Apple Crisp Macchiato.
  • Make Creamy Pasta Dishes: Stir in to tomato sauces or use as a cream sauce or in vegan mac and cheese! I made a soyrizo cream sauce pasta the other day with a spoonful of this vegan cream sauce, soyrizo from Trader Joe’s, onions, garlic and spinach. It was insane!
  • Soups: Add a creaminess to soups like in my tomato soup instead of coconut milk.
  • Curry with no coconut milk: Add a creaminess in curries like in my butter tofu or tikka masala instead of using coconut milk.
  • Salad Dressings: Add creaminess to homemade salad dressings (see photo below)
  • Mashed Potatoes: Add to mashed potatoes to creamy the creamiest most delicious potato side dish!
  • Ice Cream or Milkshakes: Use this recipe to make no-churn vegan ice cream or add to milkshakes to make it creamier. I love making banana nice-cream and adding heavy cream and cocoa powder. Yum!
jar of avocado salad dressing.

Flavor Ideas:

This vegan heavy cream substitute is made up of very basic ingredients and is simply a base for many recipes. You will want to add seasonings and flavor to it depending on what you are adding the cream to. 

  • Add garlic powder, onion powder, more salt, black pepper and a little lemon juice to make a creamy lemon garlic sauce for pasta. 
  • Blend in roasted red peppers and nutritional yeast to create a vegan pepper cheese sauce.
  • Use as a base for a vegan caesar salad dressing or vegan ranch dressing. 
  • Drizzle over burrito bowls or tacos as a vegan substitute for sour cream. 

Whipped Cream?!?

Unfortunately, this cream recipe cannot be whipped in to a whipped cream. I recommend using canned coconut milk to make whipped cream.


Storage

Storage: Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. Simply stir and add to any dish you’d like to add a creamy element.

Freezing: This recipe can be frozen. I recommend freezing in ice cube trays so you can just pop them in to soups, curries, pastas and it will melt and be so creamy and delicious! If you happen to freeze it in one container, you can microwave it in 30 second increments until you can release it from the container. Make sure to use a microwave safe container.


Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best dairy free vegan heavy cream substitutes?

Canned coconut cream is by far the most popular but this cashew based heavy cream recipe is very neutral in flavor and the perfect cream addition to savory and sweet recipes.

My vegan heavy cream won’t whip!!

This recipe cannot be whipped. If you’re looking for a whipped cream recipe, use canned coconut milk.


More Recipes You’ll Love

  • Vegan Roasted Garlic Aioli
  • Cashew Cream Cheese (with tofu!
  • The Best Vegan Sour Cream

If You Make This Recipe:

I would greatly appreciate if you share your review in the comments below and leave a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating. I really appreciate it- it helps me out so much! Don’t forget to add if you made any fun substitutions. Thank you!

vegan heavy cream surrounded by cashews and lemon slice.

Vegan Heavy Cream Recipe

Liv King
Have you been wondering how to replace heavy cream? This vegan heavy cream substitute is perfect for anywhere cream is called for! You can add this cashew cream to soups, curry, pasta dishes, mashed potatoes and even coffee to add a delicious creamy element.
5 from 3 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 30 mins
Cook Time 5 mins
Total Time 35 mins
Course Dips & Sauces
Cuisine American
Servings 28 tablespoons

Equipment

  • 1 High-Speed Blender

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Cashews soaked
  • 1/2 cup Creamy Unsweet Plant Milk I used oat milk
  • 1/2 cup Water
  • 1/4 teaspoon Salt

Instructions
 

  • Bring 1 cup of water to a boil- this is for soaking the cashews. Add the cashews in to a bowl and pour the hot water over the top. Let soak for at least 30 minutes.
  • Add the soaked cashews, plant milk and water to a blender and blend until smooth. It should be silky smooth to the touch and not grainy.
  • See above for a list of ways to use this creamy delicious heavy cream recipe.

Notes

This recipe yields roughly 1 and 3/4 cup of cashew cream- about 28 tablespoons. 
Did you make this recipe?Leave a comment down below or tag @livveganstrong on instagram.
  • Share on Twitter Share on Twitter
  • Share on Facebook Share on Facebook
  • Share on Pinterest Share on Pinterest
  • Share via Email Share via Email

By: Liv · In: All Recipes, Sauce & Dips

Join the List

Subscribe for weekly recipes straight to your inbox!

Thank you!

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Karen says

    June 26, 2022 at 1:33 pm

    Can this be frozen?

    Reply
    • Liv says

      June 26, 2022 at 1:49 pm

      Yes! I recommend freezing in ice cube trays so that way you can just pop some out and add to the dishes you’re making. But it can also be frozen in a freezer safe container and thawed or microwaved. Enjoy! 🙂

      Reply
  2. Emma says

    June 26, 2022 at 12:29 pm

    5 stars
    Delicious . This and the Tartare sauce recipe. Superb outcome!

    Reply
    • Liv says

      June 26, 2022 at 12:57 pm

      So glad!! Thank you for your review 🙂

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Next Post >

3-Ingredient Easy Vegan Strawberry Jam

Primary Sidebar

Meet Liv

Meet Liv
hello!

I’m Liv, the creator of Liv Vegan Strong. I share vegan comfort food recipes that everyone will love! I have been vegan for over 10 years now and started Liv Vegan Strong to share fun and delicious recipes to show you that vegan cooking is easy, approachable, and far from boring!

Read More

Connect

By Category

  • All Recipes
  • Breakfast & Brunch
  • Drinks
  • Main Course
  • Quick & Easy
  • Sauce & Dips
  • Soups, Salads & Sandwiches
  • Starters, Sides & Small Bites
  • Sweet Treats & Desserts
  • Trending
  • Vegan Resources

Most Popular

freshly baked bagels on a parchment lined baking tray with cream cheese.

Easy Homemade Vegan Bagels

honey dripping from a honey wand.

Homemade Apple Based Vegan Honey

tofu nuggets on a wire rack with bbq sauce.

The Best Crispy Tofu Chicken Nuggets (Vegan)

join the list

Subscribe for weekly recipes straight to your inbox!

Footer

Main Menu

  • Home
  • Recipes
  • Vegan Resources
  • Recipe Videos
  • About

Info

  • Contact Me
  • Work With Me
  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer

stay in the know

Copyright © 2022 · Theme by 17th Avenue

 

Loading Comments...