There's nothing better than pouring some delicious double cream over a fruit salad, pie, or tart, but for the longest time, vegans and those with lactose intolerances or dairy allergies haven't had the best choice of alternatives. Thankfully, there are now many vegan creams on the market you can use as a substitute in your recipes, including those that can be whipped, poured, or squirted onto a dessert.
To help you choose, we've done the research and found the best vegan creams available in the UK today. Included are offerings from some of the biggest brands in the business, like Oatly, Elmlea, and Alpro, available at Tesco, Waitrose, and ASDA. Take a look at our suggestions, all free from animal products, below!
Quick List - Top Vegan Creams
Elmlea
A Relatively Low Sugar Option that's Fantastic for Pouring on Desserts
Alpro
A Low Sugar and Calorie Alternative, Naturally Free From Lactose and Gluten
Oatly
A Whippable Oat Cream That’s Best Used When Baking and Eating Desserts
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Vegan-friendly creams can be made from a number of ingredients, but nearly all will have something that acts as a substitute for dairy. The most common are oats, soya, pea or lentil-based proteins, and coconut. While you would think there would be drastic differences in taste between those ingredients, Coconut cream is the only option with a distinct and noticeably different taste.
It's important to consider any allergies or intolerances when picking a vegan cream, with soya and oats being the most common. Luckily, an oat cream is highly unlikely to contain soya and vice versa.
If your cream is for accompanying home-baked good, try adding some delicious vegan butter to the recipe!
Vegan creams are undoubtedly delicious whether poured over a dessert or a part of a recipe, but it's important to keep an eye on the calorie and sugar content. As they're often made with a mixture of sugar and oil to replicate dairy, they can have very high sugar levels and high calorific content.
If you're pouring a little over a nice pecan tart or fruit salad, you won't have to worry too much, but when adding a large amount to a curry or cake topping, you'll have to watch out. The recommended daily allowance for sugar is around 30 g a day, and for calories, it is 2000 for women and 2600 for men, so bear that in mind while shopping!
In cooking, cream is a versatile ingredient with various applications, and dairy-free options are no different. While it won't be a disaster if you use the wrong type, certain vegan creams are aimed at fulfilling specific roles more than dairy options.
Thankfully, it's pretty clear, thanks to the packaging, as to what the cream you're purchasing is designed for. For example, a double or single-cream alternative is perfect if you're looking for something to accompany a dessert or cook with. There are now even vegan spray creams for topping your hot chocolate!
Pour your new cream over one of our favourite vegan desserts!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Oatly Creamy Oat|250 ml | ![]() | A Single, Low-Calorie Oat Cream You Can Use With Everything | |
2 | Elmlea 100% Plant Double Cream|250 ml | ![]() | A Relatively Low Sugar Option that's Fantastic for Pouring on Desserts | |
3 | Alpro Chilled Soya Single Cream|250 ml | ![]() | A Low Sugar and Calorie Alternative, Naturally Free From Lactose and Gluten | |
4 | Oatly Whippable Oat Cream |250 ml | ![]() | A Whippable Oat Cream That’s Best Used When Baking and Eating Desserts | |
5 | Waitrose Essential Coconut Cream|160 ml | ![]() | An Affordable and Tasty Coconut Cream From Waitrose, Perfect Paired With Dark Chocolate | |
6 | Oatly Creamy Oat Fraiche|200 ml | ![]() | The Best Crème Fraiche Alternative That’s Just as Good as the Real Thing! | |
7 | Violife Viocreme Vegan Dairy Cream Alternative|250 ml | ![]() | A Rich Pouring Cream Alternative Made With Lentil Protein and Containing Hints of Coconut | |
8 | Alpro Soya Long Life Alternative to Single Cream|250 ml | ![]() | A Long Life Single Cream Substitute That’s Perfect for Keeping in the Cupboard Until Needed | |
9 | Waitrose Duchy Organic Coconut Cream|160 ml | ![]() | A High-Quality, Rich and Organic Coconut Cream, Ideal for Healthy Cooking | |
10 | Food Heaven Whipped Spray Cream|200 ml | ![]() | A Tasty Whipped Spray Cream, Perfect for Topping Hot Chocolate and Coffee |
Our favourite vegan cream is the Creamy Oat from Oatly, as it makes the perfect single cream replacement for any recipe. Whether you're making a creamy carbonara or curry, looking to pour into your coffee, or onto a pie or tart, this is fantastic.
Compared to other vegan creams, it's also relatively low in calories and its maker, Oatly, are one of the leading brands in dairy alternatives, having mastered their oat-based recipes. If you're looking for an all-around option, this can't be beaten.
Elmlea's 100% Plant Double Cream is almost unmistakable for the real thing and is a deliciously decadent addition to any dessert. You may also be surprised to learn that it's relatively low in sugar compared to similar creams.
It's made from a lentil protein, but that doesn't mean it's made from blended lentils. The plant protein is extracted from the ingredient and then used to bind the other ingredients together into cream - plus, it tastes fantastic!
If you suffer from gluten allergies or intolerances, then Alpro's Single Soya Cream is probably the best choice out there. Alpro has been making dairy-free products since the 1980s, so it's safe to say they know what they're doing!
You won't find many vegan creams this low in both sugar and calories, so it's one to consider if you're watching your intake. Equally good for both pouring and cooking, this is another fantastic all-rounder.
If you're looking for a dairy-free cream replacement for baking, icing, or frosting, then this whippable option from Oatly has you covered. Dairy-free milk and cream replacements are notorious for not frothing or whipping like the real thing, but this works like a treat!
It also works perfectly well as a simple replacement for double cream in other recipes. If you don't mind something a little thicker than usual, the taste of this sweet cream is well worth trying out, whether you're vegan or not!
Coconut creams certainly have the most distinct taste of all the vegan creams, with many recipes specifying their inclusion. This offering from Waitrose is both affordable and tasty, making it a great addition to any pantry.
While most commonly used in curries, coconut cream can also be used as a substitute for dairy cream in desserts. The unmistakable coconut taste also pairs incredibly well with dark chocolate. There may be some trial and error, but it's well worth trying out.
If you're unfamiliar with crème fraiche, it's basically a type of thick and rich soured cream that's used in a variety of savoury and dessert recipes. It can also be used as a key ingredient when making vegan cheesecake!
There aren't many crème fraiche replacements on the market, but this offering from Oatly acts as an almost perfect replacement for the real thing. Dollop it onto some chocolate and raspberries or an apple pie and give it a try!
Violife are one of the world's leading vegan brands, with everything they make being 100% vegan friendly. Viocream is their version of pouring cream and works great when paired with fruits and berries.
While it's made primarily with lentil protein, there is a noticeable taste of coconut, thanks to the inclusion of coconut oil. While many find this taste a pleasant addition, those who aren't a fan of coconut should steer clear.
Outside of the canned coconut creams, there aren't many long-lasting vegan creams available. This long-life soya single cream from Alpro is UHT-treated, so it will happily sit in a cupboard until you're ready to use it.
It's also the cheapest option on our list, making it a worthwhile option to consider for both vegans and non-vegans. The fact that it's UHT treated may not be to everyone's tastes, but it's hard to argue against having it in the cupboard just in case!
Waitrose's Duchy Organic line is one of the best choices for those who care about their health and how their foods is grown. The sales from the product also provide a donation to charitable causes.
The cream itself is high quality and doesn't contain any artificial additives, and the high ratio of coconut milk also makes for a tasty and rich experience. That said, it is a little more expensive than other options for the size.
When it comes to whipped cream sprays, vegans have been left unable to top up their hot chocolates, coffees, and desserts for the longest time, but now thanks to Food Heaven, they have a spray of their own!
It may not be a negative to some, but this option is incredibly high in sugar, so you'll have to watch your intake carefully. However, this is a deliciously sweet treat to indulge in every now and again!
Written and researched by David Sexton
No. 1: Oatly|Creamy Oat|250 ml
No. 2: Elmlea|100% Plant Double Cream|250 ml
No. 3: Alpro|Chilled Soya Single Cream|250 ml
No. 4: Oatly|Whippable Oat Cream |250 ml
No. 5: Waitrose|Essential Coconut Cream|160 ml
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