Heavy Cream Substitute

Step 1

Set a medium heat-proof bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water to create a double-boiler. Add butter to bowl and heat until butter is mostly melted. Remove bowl from heat, and continue to whisk until butter is smooth and just melted.

Step 2

Slowly stream milk into butter while whisking. Continue whisking until mixture is smooth, 2 to 3 minutes. If separation occurs, set bowl back on the double boiler and whisk until mixture is more homogenized.

Step 3

In a medium microwave-safe bowl, melt butter in 20-second increments until mostly melted. Whisk butter until mixture is smooth, then slowly stream in milk while whisking. Continue whisking until mixture is smooth, 2 to 3 minutes.

Step 4

If separation occurs, return bowl to microwave and heat for 5 to 10 seconds. Whisk until mixture is smooth and more homogenized. Repeat heating in 5-second increments if necessary.

Step 5

Let heavy cream mixture cool for 5 minutes. Add in powdered sugar and resume whisking until mixture begins to thicken, about 4 minutes.

Step 6

If mixture seems too loose, chill in the refrigerator for 5 minutes, then continue whipping until medium-stiff peaks form. Use immediately.