Making a quiche without heavy cream may sound anathema to the very idea of quiche, a rich dish of eggs and cheese folded into a flaky, buttery crust.
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Making a quiche without heavy cream may sound anathema to the very idea of quiche, a rich dish of eggs and cheese folded into a flaky, buttery crust. But it's possible to cut down on some of the calories inherent to a quiche recipe while still retaining its comfortingly familiar characteristics.
Make Quiche Without Heavy Cream
A traditional quiche recipe calls for eggs — some can even result in a 12-egg quiche — whisked with heavy cream and milk. Cheeses such as cheddar or Gruyere are incorporated into the egg base; herbs and lightly sautéed vegetables may also be added. Meats such as bacon or ham are also favored quiche components.
One large whole egg contains about 72 calories, according to the USDA, and almost 5 grams of fat. One cup of heavy cream contains 809 calories and 86 grams of fat, the USDA shows. A cup of shredded Gruyere cheese, a classic addition to a quiche recipe, comes in at 446 calories and 35 grams of fat, the USDA notes.
A classic quiche recipe can require 2 cups of cream and 1 1/2 to 2 cups of cheese — and that's not counting in the potential calories from meat. One slice of quiche, while delicious, will pack a heavy caloric punch.
But it's possible to make quiche without heavy cream — you could try a sour cream substitute for the cream, although keep in mind that sour cream also is high in calories, at 455 per cup, and contains almost 45 grams of fat per cup as per the USDA. It also may perform a bit differently than heavy cream will in the quiche recipe.
Your best bet for making a quiche without heavy cream is to swap whole milk for heavy cream, use a combination of whole-fat and reduced-fat milk or a combination of heavy cream and reduced-fat milk. The USDA reports that a cup of whole milk contains 149 calories and about 8 grams of fat.
Use Herbs and Vegetables
If you make a quiche with lower-calorie substitutes and without heavy cream, you might be concerned that your finished dish may lack the rich flavor of a more traditional quiche. Not to worry — rely on herbs, either fresh or dried, to enhance the smooth custard base. Try savory herbs such as thyme, chopped rosemary, basil, oregano and even lavender in your quiche recipe.
Another way to load up on flavor when you're making a quiche without heavy cream is to lean on vegetables. Flavorful additions such as spinach, asparagus, green onions, broccoli, zucchini and summer squash and tomatoes will round out your quiche recipe with no need for the extra richness cream imparts. Make sure to well season the vegetables with salt and pepper while cooking them before adding them to the egg mixture.
If you use enough vegetables you can cut down on the amount of cheese that the quiche recipe calls for. The vegetables will provide enough flavor that the cheese can be used more as a garnish than a major ingredient.
You can also make a quiche without cream or milk by using non-dairy milks such as almond, soy or rice milk, which will also reduce calories. For example, the USDA lists a cup of almond milk as containing 41 calories and 3 grams of fat. However, you will want to pay attention to whether the non-dairy milk is sweetened or vanilla-flavored as that will affect the flavor of your finished quiche.
Other options for a lower-calorie quiche could be to use egg whites rather than whole eggs; one large egg white comes in at 17 calories and 0 grams of fat, according to the USDA.
FAQs
But it's possible to make quiche without heavy cream — you could try a sour cream substitute for the cream, although keep in mind that sour cream also is high in calories, at 455 per cup, and contains almost 45 grams of fat per cup as per the USDA.
What to use if I don't have heavy cream? ›
Milk and Butter
Similarly to half-and-half, milk makes a good heavy cream substitute when it's combined with melted butter. Combine 3/4 cup milk and 1/4 cup melted butter for every cup of heavy cream.
Can I use 2% milk instead of heavy cream for quiche? ›
Classic custards use heavy cream, but 2% milk contains a fraction of the saturated fat and is still plenty rich. Flavor your custard with salt, pepper, a pinch of nutmeg and fresh herbs such as chives, oregano, parsley or tarragon.
Can I use sour cream instead of heavy cream? ›
Sour cream is an easy replacement for heavy cream. It can be easily stirred into a dish and offers another flavor profile to soups, stews and sauces. Plus, using it as a heavy cream substitute is a great way to use up that lingering tub in the fridge.
What is a substitute for heavy cream in scones? ›
Replace 1 cup (227g) of heavy cream or whipping cream with 1/2 cup (113g) of butter and 1/2 cup (113g) of milk. If your recipe doesn't call for a full cup of heavy cream, scale down the amount of butter and milk that's used accordingly.
Can you sub heavy cream for milk? ›
To substitute heavy cream for milk: Dilute the heavy cream with water to mimic the consistency and reduce the fat concentration. A general guideline is to mix ½ cup of water with ½ cup of heavy cream to replace 1 cup of whole milk.
What is a good substitute for heavy cream in quiche? ›
Use half-and-half as a 1:1 substitute for heavy cream. It can work nearly as well for bringing creamy texture and flavor to sauces, soups and stews, mashed potatoes, quiches, and casseroles. In a pinch, it can even be used for whipping. While you won't get stiff peaks, you can build volume if you work quickly.
What is the formula for quiche? ›
The best quiche ratio is 1 large egg to 1/2 cup of dairy.
Why isn't my quiche creamy? ›
Figuring out your proportions couldn't be simpler – for each egg you use, you need half a cup of milk. Too little dairy, and your quiche will be dry instead of creamy. Too much, and it won't set properly.
Can I use condensed milk instead of heavy cream? ›
Condensed milk is evaporated milk that has been sweetened with sugar. Evaporated milk can be used in place of heavy cream in most recipes, whereas condensed milk is best reserved for desserts. Some health food stores may sell evaporated coconut milk, which is also a good substitute.
No milk (except for coconut milk) can replace heavy cream without the addition of a thickener, ideally a fat of some kind. To make a heavy cream substitute with almond milk, we recommend adding soaked nuts or vegan butter, or plain silken tofu to get the right texture.
Is half & half the same as heavy cream? ›
According to the FDA, half-and-half contains between 10.5 percent to 18 percent milk fat, while heavy cream contains between 36 percent and 40 percent milk fat. Because heavy cream contains more fat, it is thicker and has a richer taste and a creamier mouthfeel than half-and-half.
When a recipe says heavy cream What is that? ›
Heavy cream is a common ingredient in sweet and savory recipes. With 36 to 40 percent milkfat, it has a higher fat content than light cream, whipping cream, half-and-half, whole milk, and evaporated milk.
Can you substitute Greek yogurt for heavy cream in scones? ›
Use Greek Yogurt When You're Low on Your Favorite Dairy Ingredients. If you're low on dairy ingredients, don't fret. Greek yogurt can substitute milk, sour cream and heavy cream.
Can I use buttermilk instead of heavy cream in scones? ›
Heavy Cream or Buttermilk: For the best tasting pastries, stick with a thick liquid such as heavy cream or buttermilk. I usually use heavy cream, but if you want a slightly tangy flavor, use buttermilk.
Can I use milk instead of heavy cream in pasta? ›
Whole milk is an excellent substitute for heavy cream. It adds richness to your pasta sauce without the excess fat. Simply simmer your favourite pasta sauce with whole milk until it thickens to your desired consistency. The result is a velvety and indulgent sauce that pairs beautifully with pasta.
How do I substitute all purpose cream for heavy cream? ›
1 Chilled all-purpose cream = a substitute for whipping cream and heavy cream. This is the most basic way of using all-purpose cream. When all-purpose cream is chilled, it thickens in consistency. It becomes stiff and can hold its shape.
