Heavy whipping cream is one of those things that pops up in a lot of recipes, but for some reason, it’s never sold in exactly the amount you need. Instead, you’re always left with some odd amount of heavy cream left over and no real idea what to do with it because, well, the recipe you bought it for is done now. That’s where these recipes to use up heavy cream come in handy. Whether you’ve got a cup left over from the pint you bought or a couple of tablespoons swishing around in the bottom of the carton, these dishes, desserts, and sauces will help you make the most of it.
Personally, this always happens to me after I make homemade fettuccine alfredo. I buy the pint, make the sauce, and then, invariably, whatever’s left over just expires and I throw it away. But honestly, it’s so easy to turn those little bits of heavy cream into something delicious, or just choose a dinner recipe for the following week that’ll make use of the remainder. Here are some excellent options.
01Homemade Whipped Cream
If you’ve got heavy cream, powdered sugar, and a little vanilla extract in the pantry, you can make homemade whipped cream in, like, a few minutes. Brown Eyed Baker’s recipe increments are easy to adjust depending on how much cream you’re working with (love), and now is the season to plop a big dollop of whipped cream on top of strawberries for dessert.
02Salted Caramel Sauce
Alternative idea: Use that last cup of heavy whipping cream to make a salted caramel sauce for your morning lattes and evening ice cream sundaes this week. A Cookie Named Desire walks you through every step in detail, with tips on making it thinner or thicker and how best to store it.
03Sweet Cream Cold Foam
While we’re running through quick, easy toppings to make with heavy cream, you should know that you don’t have to go to Starbucks for a good cold foam. Budget Bytes’ recipe calls for just two tablespoons of heavy whipping cream, plus a little whole milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Shake vigorously, and voilà.
0410-Minute Homemade Hot Fudge
Not a caramel fan? Hot fudge it is. Follow Averie Cooks’ recipe and you’ll have homemade hot fudge sauce in just 10 minutes, with very little effort on your part. Note that you will need some ingredients that aren’t guaranteed to already be in your pantry, like light corn syrup and a few ounces of dark chocolate.
05Mason Jar Ice Cream
Princess Pinky Girl’s mason jar ice cream is a great way to use up the last cup of heavy cream and crush up whatever cereal, candy, or cookies you have lying around for a delicious frozen treat. Her recipe yields a simple vanilla ice cream base that will go with quite literally anything.
06Boozy Orange Creamsicle Milkshake
For a hot evening on the patio? Hell yes. Princess Pinky Girl’s boozy creamsicle milkshakes only take five minutes to blend together, but they deliver all the sherbet-y, vanilla goodness you want (with a kick).
07Marry Me Chicken
Marry me chicken had a viral moment on TikTok a few years back, and if you never tried it then, you ought to now. Foodie Crush’s recipe is ready in under 30 minutes, and it’s a perfect weeknight dinner when you're craving something hearty but only have chicken breasts thawed out.
08Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes
If you’ve never used a healthy dose of heavy cream in your mashed potatoes, you’re missing out. Feel Good Foodie’s roasted garlic mashed potatoes sound so good in general, but the recipe will also teach you how to use up leftover heavy cream to make your favorite savory side smoother.
09Twice Baked Sweet Potatoes with Marshmallows
Moving on to food, two tablespoons of heavy cream is all you need to make Averie Cooks’ perfect twice-baked sweet potatoes. It’s kind of like a personal serving of sweet potato casserole, but you don’t have to make a massive 9x13 pan or wait until Thanksgiving to enjoy it.
10Easy Chicken Tikka Masala
If you’ve been craving Indian food, you have to try Damn Delicious’ easy homemade chicken tikka masala recipe. It’ll use up your carton of heavy cream to make a delicious sauce you’ll want to pour over all the rice, naan, anything.
11Cheesy Scalloped Potatoes With Bacon
Need to use up that massive bag of potatoes you bought, too? Scalloped potatoes, like this version from Family Fresh Meals, can help with those and the heavy cream. They only take about 15 minutes to prep, and then you get to smell all the brie and gruyere cooking in the oven for the next hour and a half. Drool.
12Scallops Over Creamed Corn
Want to serve an impressive meal for a date night or dinner party? Family Fresh Meals’ homemade creamed corn topped with seared sea scallops is not your typical weeknight dinner fare, and your guests never have to know you were inspired to make it because you didn’t want to waste a bit of heavy whipping cream.
13Classic Plain Cheesecake
If you have three tablespoons of heavy cream to use up, try The Stush Kitchen’s classic cheesecake recipe. It’s the perfect cheesecake base to add any fruit, syrups, or toppings to make your favorite flavor. You’ll need extra heavy whipping cream if you want to make your own whipped topping, but if not, no worries.
14Easy Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo
Finally, my very favorite thing to make at home with heavy whipping cream that needs to be used up: fettuccine alfredo. Foodie Crush’s version takes about 25 minutes from start to finish, so it’s fast enough to get on the table on a school night or right after bedtime for a romantic dinner for two.
15Deviled Strawberries
Deviled strawberries? Say no more. Feel Good Foodie’s adorable dessert recipe calls for just two tablespoons of heavy cream, so it’s a really cute way to use up the dregs of the carton in your fridge door. Take them to a party or eat them solo while rewatching Heated Rivalry.
Gotta run, that fettuccine alfredo isn’t going to make itself.
This article was originally published on June 3, 2025
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