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What’s the difference between cream of coconut vs coconut cream? Here’s how to make sure you get the right ingredient for your recipe.
Cream of coconut vs coconut cream: what’s the difference? I’m so glad you asked. I’m a cocktail expert and professional recipe developer who’s learned that while they might sound like exactly the same thing, they’re anything but!
There’s a distinct difference between these two products. Here’s what to know about when to use each!
Cream Of Coconut Vs Coconut Cream: A Breakdown
What’s the difference between these coconut products? Here’s a breakdown:
- First, let’s talk coconut milk. Coconut milk is a milk extracted from the pulp of coconuts. Both of these products come from coconut milk.
- What is coconut cream? Coconut cream is a very thick cream made from coconut milk. The coconut milk is chilled, then the top layer of cream that floats to the top is skimmed off. It is very thick and tastes like coconut, but is not sweetened. You can usually find it in cans next to the coconut milk. (In fact, you might have accidentally bought it thinking it was coconut milk.)
- What is cream of coconut? Cream of coconut is sweetened coconut cream that has the consistency of a thick syrup. It’s almost like sweetened condensed milk. It’s used to sweeten tropical drinks like a classic piña colada or it’s also used in dessert. Because it’s used in coconut cocktails, it’s sold both in cans and handy squeeze bottles near the cocktail products. Cream of coconut is easy to find online or at your local liquor store. Popular brands are Coco Real and Coco López.
Can You Substitute One For The Other?
In short: no! Coconut cream is unsweetened and very thick, whereas cream of coconut is very sweet with a syrupier texture. This means that recipes that call for each are optimized for sugar content.
A classic piña colada recipe calls for cream of coconut, but some piña colada recipes may call for coconut cream and simple syrup. Make sure to read your recipe closely, because if you substitute the wrong one, you’ll end up with a flat-tasting or overly sweet drink.
What To Make With Cream Of Coconut
Cream of coconut is often used in tropical drinks and coconut cocktails, the most famous being the Classic Piña Colada. It’s also used in the Painkiller, Chi Chi, Coconut Margarita, and the Blue Hawaiian.
What To Make With Coconut Cream
If you’re not sure what to do with it, you can use coconut cream to make dairy-free whipped cream. Use ½ cup coconut cream in place of the coconut milk in this recipe.
You can also use coconut cream in curry recipes to make thick and creamy. Try adding a spoonful in this chickpea curry or vegetable curry.
To make coconut cream into coconut milk: Mix 3 tablespoons coconut cream into 1 tablespoon water to make about ¼ cup coconut milk.
How To Make A Cream of Coconut Substitute
If you’re out of of cream of coconut, you can make a quick stand-in with coconut cream and sugar:
- In a small saucepan, stir ½ cup coconut cream with ½ cup granulated sugar together over low heat, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Remove the heat before it comes to a boil.
- Let it cool, then use it as a 1:1 substitute for cream of coconut. The texture will be a little thinner but it will taste similar. Store refrigerated for up to 1 week.
This was a very good and concise explanation on the difference between Coconut Cream and Cream of Coconut. Very helpful knowing the correct way to use both. Thanks
NICE