Half and Half Recipes + Tips for Freezing Leftovers - NeighborFood (2024)

Have a carton of leftover half and half? Whether you’re craving pasta, breakfast, soup, or dessert, there is a half and half recipe here to suit every mood!

Half and Half Recipes + Tips for Freezing Leftovers - NeighborFood (1)

Today, we’re continuing our “Stuff I’ve Googled” series, where we learn how to make the most of common kitchen leftovers.

So far, we’ve covered:

  • Leftover Egg White Recipes
  • Leftover Egg Yolk Recipes
  • Leftover Buttermilk Recipes
  • Canned Chipotles in Adobo Sauce Recipes
  • Canned Coconut Milk Dessert Recipes

Today, we’re covering another common leftover: half and half. Just like everything else in the series, we’ll cover what half and half is, how to store half and half, and share plenty of half and half recipes so you can use up every last drop!

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Table of Contents

What is Half and Half?

Half and half is simply a combination of equal parts whole milk and heavy cream. It averages 10-12% fat, making it richer and creamier than whole milk but not as rich as heavy cream.

For many people, including myself, half and half is a favorite for stirring into coffee, but I like to keep it on hand for a variety of other things, including soups, casseroles, and pasta dishes.

Can half and half be substituted for milk in recipes?

In most cases, half and half is a great substitute for milk! You might not want to pour it over your morning cereal, but half and half can be subbed for milk in most cooking and baking recipes.

Feel free to substitute half and half for milk in pasta recipes, mashed potatoes, baked goods, and anything with a cream sauce. In fact, you may even prefer half and half over milk in recipes like Creamy Mac and Cheese and Homemade Mashed Potatoes, where it adds extra creaminess and richness.

Can half and half be substituted for heavy cream in recipes?

Again, the answer is usually. Just as half and half can be used to add extra richness in recipes that call for milk, it can also be used to lighten up recipes that call for cream. Want to dial back some of the fat in your favorite Creamy Chicken Sausage Tortellini Soup? Sub in half and half!

Unfortunately, half and half cannot be substituted for heavy cream to make whipped cream. You can shake, whip, and whisk all day, but half and half won’t turn into whipped cream.

Half and Half Recipes + Tips for Freezing Leftovers - NeighborFood (3)

How to Store and Freeze Half and Half

Half and half should be stored in the refrigerator. To freeze half and half, place it in a freezer safe, airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. Allow it to thaw overnight in the fridge, and make sure to give it a good shake or whisk to reincorporate anything that might have separated.

Frozen and thawed half and half works well for cooking, but I prefer to use fresh in coffee and other beverages.

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Half and Half Recipes

Need to use up leftover half and half? Whether you have a few Tablespoons or two cups of half and half, this collection of recipes will help you use it up!

Recipes using less than 1 Cup Half and Half

1

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The Best Chocolate Bundt Cake Ever

1/4 cup- A rich, super moist chocolate bundt cake covered in a dark chocolate glaze made with coffee and sour cream.

2

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Homemade Mocha Frappuccino

Photo Credit:www.crunchycreamysweet.com

1/3 cup- A copy cat mocha frappuccino is a great way to cool down on a hot summer day!

3

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Creamy Baked Mac and Cheese with Panko Crumb Topping

3/4 cup- Ultra rich and creamy baked mac and cheese with a crispy Panko crumb topping.

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Creamy Sausage and Kale Penne

3/4 cup- Kale, Italian sausage, and penne are tossed in a simple cream and Parmesan sauce for a super quick and satisfying weeknight meal.

5

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Easy Baked French Toast Casserole

Photo Credit:gatherforbread.com

3/4 cup- Easy baked french toast casserole is a quick breakfast bake that's great for company!

6

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Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff - Pressure Cooker Beef Stroganoff

Photo Credit:www.happyfoodstube.com

1/2 cup - Instant Pot Beef Stroganoff is the perfect weeknight dinner. Tender beef pieces and creamy mushroom sauce served with a side of your choice!

7

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Donut Bread Pudding

Photo Credit:fantabulosity.com

1/2 cup- This recipe is so easy and crazy delicious, using only 6 simple ingredients! Uses regular glazed or Krispy Kreme donuts.

8

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Classic Pumpkin Scones (with Brown Butter Glaze)

Photo Credit:www.theflavorbender.com

Perfectly spiced and sweet, buttery, soft and delicious, these Classic Pumpkin Scones are the perfect celebration of Fall! Can be made ahead of time, and frozen for later too.

Recipes using 1 Cup Half and Half

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Creamy Ham and Potato Soup

1 cup- Rich and satisfying Ham and Potato Soup is a warm, hearty dinner that's perfect for using up leftover ham!

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Crustless Quiche Lorraine

1 1/2 cups- Crustless Quiche Lorraine is an easy gluten free quiche recipe that's perfect for a busy weeknight dinner or casual brunch. Packed with bacon, onions, Swiss cheese, and Parmesan, this recipe is always a crowd pleaser!

11

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Broccoli Cheddar Soup

1 cup- Creamy Broccoli Cheddar Soup is the perfect warming soup for a cold day. This version is rich and cheesy without being too thick or heavy!

12

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Chai Custard Recipe - Nourished Kitchen

Photo Credit:nourishedkitchen.com

1 cup- Infused with ginger, cardamom, star anise and black tea, this Masala Chai Custard offers a delicate flavor and utterly creamy texture.

13

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French Vanilla Coffee Creamer

Photo Credit:freshaprilflours.com

1 cup- This Homemade Vanilla Coffee Creamer only requires 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep!

14

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Instant Pot Fettuccine Alfredo pasta

Photo Credit:berrymaple.com

1 1/2 cups- Creamy Alfredo pasta fettuccine noodles made in your instant pot is a simple dinner recipe for your whole family to enjoy! Ready in under 20 minutes and this creamy Parmesan sauce is just perfect!

15

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Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes

Photo Credit:www.reneeskitchenadventures.com

1 cup- Garlic Parmesan Mashed Potatoes take plain mashed potatoes to a whole new level with the addition of fresh garlic and Parmesan cheese for a side dish that will take center stage!

16

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Creamy Mushroom and Kale Pasta

Photo Credit:tastingwithtina.com

1 cup- Creamy Mushroom and Kale Pasta is a quick vegetarian dinner that's perfect for busy weeknights.

Recipes using 2 Cups Half and Half

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Overnight Breakfast Casserole with Bacon

2 cups- Overnight Breakfast Casserole is an egg strata loaded with bacon, cheese, spinach, and caramelized onions. This hearty breakfast is perfect for Christmas morning!

18

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Quick Salmon Chowder | Crumb: A Food Blog

Photo Credit:www.crumbblog.com

2 cups- This quick salmon chowder uses half-and-half cream for a lighter alternative to the usual heavy cream.

19

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Funfetti Ice Cream Krispie Cupcakes

2 1/2 cups- Vanilla Ice Cream tops these adorable rice krispie cupcakes that would be perfect for a kid's birthday party!

20

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Homemade Sausage Gravy — perfect for Biscuits & Gravy!

Photo Credit:saltandbaker.com

2 1/2 cups- Classic Homemade Sausage Gravy is creamy, rich, and perfect ladled over biscuits, potatoes, or fried chicken!

21

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Cajun Chicken Pasta Recipe

Photo Credit:www.lovefromtheoven.com

2 cups- A delicious copycat recipe for creamy pasta and Cajun spiced chicken inspired by the Chili's Cajun Chicken Pasta.

Half and Half Recipes + Tips for Freezing Leftovers - NeighborFood (2024)

FAQs

Can you make your own half and half milk? ›

Since we now know that half and half is equal parts milk and cream, we can make a substitute. Get a liquid measuring cup, fill it to the 1/2 cup line with whole milk and then add heavy cream to the 1 cup line. You just made a substitute for half and half.

What exactly is in half and half? ›

Half-and-half is simply a mixture of half whole milk and half cream. It's what you use when you need something richer than milk, but not quite as thick as cream. You'll find it in rich and velvety sauces, soups, and desserts.

What's half and half in recipes? ›

Half-and-half is a mixture of equal parts full-cream milk and thickened cream. It has a higher fat content than milk but lower than cream and because it is thinner than cream, it can't be whipped.

Can I freeze leftover half-and-half? ›

Storing it in a sealable, freezer-safe plastic bag is the way to go — just make sure the freezer is set to 0 degrees F or lower. Half-and-half can stay frozen indefinitely as long as it's stored correctly, but it's recommended to use it within three months for the best flavor.

What happens if you freeze half-and-half? ›

Once you freeze it, though, the water turns to ice, and the fat separates, so you need to be careful, lest you end up with a fatty layer sitting on top of your half and half.

Can you whip half-and-half into whipped cream? ›

Half-and-half is equal parts cream and milk, giving it a thinner consistency. While you can whip half-and-half, it's not going to sit in those lovely, fluffy peaks that we associate with a good whipped cream. Also, its runny nature means that it'll try to revert to liquid form as soon as you take your eye off it.

What happens if you use half-and-half instead of milk? ›

If you have half-and-half on hand, it's a perfect cup-for-cup substitute. Because half-and-half is made up of 50% whole milk and 50% heavy cream, it will offer close to the same results as milk would, while adding a lovely richness to your baked goods.

Can you make butter with half-and-half? ›

No, there is no suitable substitute for heavy cream. You cannot make butter from milk or from half-and-half. This is because those dairy products do not have enough fat in them. Heavy cream butter is a fantastic texture and flavor due to its fat content.

Can you make anything out of half-and-half? ›

Half-and-half, which is half cream and half milk, is a very versatile ingredient that you'll find on the ingredient list in a wide range of recipes from appetizers to casseroles to desserts.

What does half-and-half do to coffee? ›

It's used to sweeten coffee while also making the texture richer and more velvety. If you add half-and-half to your coffee every day, it's worth it to find out how it's impacting your body. After all, it's the habits we do regularly that impact health the most.

What happens if you boil half-and-half? ›

Boiling half-and-half will cause it to curdle and separate. So, it is best to add half-and-half when the food you are cooking is over low heat or removed from the heating element.

Is half-and-half good for baking? ›

Can I substitute Half & Half for milk? Yes, you can cook and bake using Half & Half in place of milk in most cooking and baking recipes.

Can half-and-half be used in baking? ›

Half-and-half is often used in cream-based desserts with a light richness, such as panna cotta. Half-and-half also lends extra creaminess to dishes calling for milk, including cream sauces, mac 'n' cheese, mashed potatoes, scrambled eggs and baked goods.

Which is healthier half-and-half or heavy cream? ›

Heavy cream commonly contains 36% milk fat, which translates to about 11 grams of fat per liquid ounce, with 7 grams of that being saturated fat. Compare that to half-and-half, which only has around 3 grams of fat per ounce, including 2 grams of saturated fat. There's also a big jump in calories between the two.

How long can I keep half-and-half in the fridge? ›

How long is an open container of Half & Half good for in my refrigerator? The product should be used within 7 to 10 days of opening or by the date printed on the container -- whichever date comes first.

How long is half-and-half good for if left out? ›

It's typically labeled as heavy cream, or half and half, though some branding exists with flavors or sweeteners added. These should never be left out for longer than two hours under any circ*mstances, and that is the maximum amount of time it should be considered remotely safe.

Can you use half-and-half to make whipped cream? ›

Yes, you can make whipped cream with half and half. However, it may not be as thick or stable as whipped cream made with heavy cream due to the lower fat content.

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