Fat-free half-and-half is a dairy product that mimics the taste and consistency of traditional half-and-half creams. Most commercially available fat-free half-and-half products consist of a mixture of skim milk, corn syrup and various additives. While fat-free half-and-half may look and feel like the real thing, it can behave differently from regular half-and-half when used in recipes. Using fat-free half-and-half in cooking and baking recipes may require some trial and error, but once you get the hang of it you can use the product to reduce the calorie count of certain creamy foods.
Step 1
Look for recipes that already specify fat-free half-and-half as an ingredient. While fat-free half-and-half can be used interchangeably with full-fat whipping cream or regular half-and-half in many recipes, in many cases it may negatively affect the outcome of the recipe. If you start with a casserole or sauce recipe that already calls for fat-free half-and-half, you can be assured that the recipe's author has already tested the finished product to ensure that the fat-free half-and-half doesn't affect the food's taste or texture.
Step 2
Substitute fat-free half-and-half in recipes that already contain thickening agents such as cornstarch or flour. Fat-free half-and-half will not thicken a sauce in the same way that regular cream would. If the recipe in question relies only on cream as a thickening agent, either avoid the recipe or add some flour or cornstarch to compensate.
Step 3
Bake items such as scones, muffins, cakes or quick breads with fat-free half-and-half. You may need to experiment with some baked-good recipes when substituting with the fat-free half-and-half. The lack of fat and added corn syrup may affect both the taste and consistency of baked goods. If the baking falls flat or does not hold together properly, discard the recipe and try something new. If it tastes too sweet, reduce amount of sugar and try baking it again.
Step 4
Use the fat-free half-and-half in recipes that do not require heat. If the half-and-half is not brought to a boiling point, it should behave exactly like regular cream. This means you can safely add it to buttercream frosting, smoothies and ice cream toppings. Do not include the fat-free half-and-half in recipes that call for cream or regular half-and-half to be boiled, such as recipes for candy.
Tips and Warnings
- Experiment with the fat-free half-and-half until you get a taste and a feel for it. Some recipes may not work, but eventually you will be able to intuitively understand where it will work and where it will not.
- Avoid fat-free half-and-half if you are on a sugar-free or reduced-sugar diet. While the fat-free half-and-half is lower in calories than regular half-and-half, it does contain a significant amount of corn syrup.
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