Cashew cream is a deliciously smooth, dairy free, nut based cream that is a great substitute for heavy cream. Cashew cream can be used in cheesecakes, cheese sauces, soups and so much more.
What about a cashew cream substitute? Perhaps you are vegan, have an allergy to cashews or you want to find a cheaper alternative to cashew cream. You have come to the right place.
There are a number of substitutes for cashew cream from silken tofu to macadamia cream. These substitutes will not give the exact taste and texture of cashew cream but they will work in most recipes where you need a thickening agent that is more mild in flavor.
Cashews are naturally low in fiber, this is because the skin of the cashew (where all the fiber is found) must be peeled for safe consumption. The lack of fiber contributes to why cashews blend to a delicious cream without the need for straining.
Cashew cream is full of unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and minerals, a decent amount of protein and it is low in carbs. The fats found in cashew cream are considered heart healthy as opposed to those found in dairy cream.
Finding the appropriate cashew cream alternative can be tricky, however this guide is here to help. We will be covering everything to know about cashew cream and what you can substitute it with.
Below, I cover what cashew cream is, how it is made, its benefits and what you can substitute cashew cream for or with.
What Is Cashew Cream?
Cashew cream is mix of cashews and water, blended to make a cream that looks and works much like heavy cream. It can be used in a variety of recipes from sauces, to cheeses, to cheesecakes, and so much more.
Cashew cream is a great alternative to regular heavy cream as it is mild in flavor and won’t overpower any dish you chose to use it in. It is creamy and buttery and very simple to make.
Cashew cream provides a creamy texture with a very mild flavor. You’d almost never guess it is made of cashews if you hadn’t made it yourself. It is very versatile and full of nutrients.
How Is Cashew Cream Made?
Cashew cream can be tricky to find in store and if you do manage to find it, it can be quite expensive. A good option is to make it at home. It is super simple and all you’ll need is cashews, water and a blender.
Soak ‘raw’ cashews in water from 2 hours to overnight. This is to soften them before blending. Once you have soaked your cashews and they have softened you can simply blend them until smooth and creamy.
If you are short on time you can soak the cashews in boiling water to fasten the process. Soaking the cashews is essential to ensure there are no gritty pieces in the cashew cream.
The ratio of cashews to water can be made to your preference of thickness and what the cashew cream is being used for. A 1:2 ratio of cashews to water will produce a milky cashew cream and a ratio of 1:1 cashews to water will produce a thicker, creamier cashew cream.
You can add a pinch of salt, sugar or lemon juice to your cashew cream if you wish.
What Are The Benefits Of Cashew Cream?
Cashew cream is a dairy free, versatile and nutrient dense cream. It is lower in saturated fats than heavy cream and provides you with a ton of healthy unsaturated fats.
Cashew cream is full of monounsaturated fats, protein, magnesium, iron, copper, vitamin B6, Vitamin K, manganese and small amounts of calcium.
These nutrients are beneficial for heart health, teeth and bone health, your skin and hair, your metabolism, cholesterol and more.
Cashew cream is also a super versatile ingredient. It can be used in place of cows cream in most recipes. It provides a mild flavor with a high fat content just like that of cows cream.
Can I Substitute Cashew Cream For Cows’ Cream?
Yes, you can absolutely substitute cashew cream for cows cream in many recipes.
Cashew cream provides a high fat content similar to that of cows cream and will provide just the same richness in a recipe. Cashew cream provides a mild flavor and a texture that can be adjusted based on your recipe needs. There are even recipes for whipped cashew cream you can use in place of whipped cows cream.
Cashew cream will work just as well as cows cream in soups, sauces, desserts and more.
What Can I Substitute For Cashew Cream?
There are a number of substitutes for cashew cream that you can purchase or make at home.
Silken tofu, coconut cream and macadamia cream are the best non dairy alternatives to cashew cream. Each of these substitutes, however, are not going to have the same taste and texture to cashew cream and they may overpower a dish.
Silken tofu is mild in flavor and thick in texture, it is a good substitute for cream and can be used to make sour cream, cheesecake, sauces and more.
Coconut cream is thick and creamy in texture and has a distinct coconut flavor. It may overpower the taste of a dish. It will provide thickening and creaminess in sauces and soups. However if you aren’t a fan of the taste of coconut, I’d skip this one.
Macadamia cream is a similar cream to cashew cream, one you can make at home the same way you would cashew cream. Macadamia cream can be adjusted in thickness to your taste. However, it is nuttier in taste than cashew cream and again may overpower the taste of a dish.
Conclusion
Cashew cream is an awesome dairy free alternative to cows cream. It is nutrient dense, versatile and delicious.
Cashew cream is easy to make at home and requires little effort to produce. It can be made into soups, sauces, cheesecakes, desserts and more.
Substitutes for cashew cream range from silken tofu, coconut cream and macadamia cream. Your favorite will be based on your individual taste preference.
I hope you have enjoyed this guide on cashew cream substitute options and try out some new recipes.
Learn how long cashew cream lasts here or how to freeze cashew cream here. Find all our cashew-based product guides here.
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