Regardless of whether it's baking or cooking, all-purpose creams are undeniable kitchen staples. They are useful for any type of dish that calls for cream. All-purpose cream can handle everything from soups to pasta, viands, and desserts. No wonder it has become the standard cream to use.
To help you get only the best, in this article, we have compiled some recommendations to help you pick the best all-purpose cream to add to your pantry. We also have a buying guide on selecting an all-purpose cream, fact-checked and reviewed by registered nutritionist-dietitian Samantha Morales.
Samantha began her career in clinical nutrition and weight management at a tertiary hospital in Manila, Philippines. Her practice allowed her to give nutrition counseling and plan modified diets for patients with medical conditions. Presently, she does private practice to focus on true holistic wellness - an approach that believes in aligning one's mind, body, and spiritual well-being.
Our recommendation articles are carefully researched and crafted by the mybest Philippines team of writers and editors. To stay true to our company’s mission and vision to help users’ selection process easier, we also collaborate with experts from various fields to ensure that our content stays factual and useful.
The expert oversees the Buying Guide only, and does not determine the products and services featured.
The products and services listed are ranked independently by the editorial team based on the points mentioned in our thoroughly researched buying guide (as of 01-16-2023).
Table of Contents
Here are some key points to consider:
The higher the milk fat content of the cream, the creamier it is. It is because it is the fat content that will determine the dish's consistency. Thus, if you want a thick and creamy sauce, you'll be better off using an all-purpose cream with higher milk fat.
To check the milk fat content, you may check the packaging label. You can also double-check the nutritional table for more accurate measurements. A few brands offer a slight variation of all-purpose creams like cooking cream and thickened cream.
The net weight of the product can sometimes influence how much you will need for your dish. It is necessary to get the right amount of cream to save money and prevent any leftovers. Why? Because milk and cream spoil easily, especially when left unsealed and out of the fridge.
The packaging also plays an essential role in the longevity of the cream. Standard all-purpose cream packages include cans and carton boxes or tetra packs. Cans are sturdy and will protect the cream from leaks. However, they are prone to rust and corrosion, which may lead to contamination.
Tetra boxes are cheaper to produce and do not contaminate the cream. The downside, however, is that they are not as sturdy as tin cans, so they are more prone to tearing that may cause leaks and spills. For a wiser decision, assess the one that suits your needs and storage capacity.
It is no surprise that all-purpose creams have a sweetened version, considering that most Filipinos have a sweet tooth. Sweetened all-purpose creams can go well on desserts like no-bake icebox cakes or fruit salad dressing. It is also suitable for Filipino sweet-style spaghetti and can be used in place of sugar and unsweetened cream.
Meanwhile, we recommend regular, unsweetened all-purpose creams for savory dishes like creamy caldereta or chicken a la king. With its neutral taste, you can easily adjust the taste of your food. You can also use them for desserts, but remember to add sugar or condensed milk because they may come out as bland.
There are also a few brands with unique variants like cream with cheese. Not to be confused with cream cheese, this flavor works best for dishes or desserts that require both cream and cheese. It is also more budget-friendly since you get two products at a price of one.
As we've mentioned before, milk and cream can easily get spoiled in a short amount of time. For this reason, the expiration date of all-purpose cream is stricter than other products. So, we highly advise you to check the expiration date of the cream before clicking the add-to-cart button.
Online stores usually indicate them in the product details, but if they're not available, do not hesitate to ask the seller or store to check for you. Doing this can help you save money and prevent possible occurrences of food poisoning and an upset stomach.
From ₱65
When it comes to quality food products, you can always trust Nestle since it's one of the leading food brands worldwide! With added health benefits, it is no surprise that this all-purpose cream is the top contender on the list. This product is a household trademark among all-purpose creams.
You can always rely on its rich and right creamy consistency. Since it is unsweetened, it is perfect for preparing various dishes and desserts. You can also use it as whipping cream for mousses and ice cream by chilling or freezing it overnight.
Thanks to its rich milk content, Nestle's All-Purpose Cream offers a wide array of vitamins and minerals as building blocks for healthier bodies. It has calcium and Vitamin D for stronger teeth and bones. It is also enriched with beta-carotene, a precursor nutrient to develop Vitamin A for healthier eyesight.
From ₱58
Alaska is known for its wide range of tasty milk products, including fresh and powdered milk, evaporada, and condensada. This all-purpose cream is no exception to that! What makes Alaska Crema a standout among other brands is its buttermilk ingredient that exudes buttery notes on its flavor profile that Filipinos love.
It is also equally nutritious as its milk counterpart. Besides calcium and vitamin D, it is fortified with iron for a stronger immune system and healthier blood cells. And despite its popularity and excellence, its price remains more affordable than any famous brand.
From ₱54
We Filipinos are known to have a sweet tooth, which explains our fondness for desserts. And when making refrigerated cakes and fruit salads, we usually buy all-purpose creams and condensed milk as separate products. This scenario led to Angel Kremdensada's popularity as it pioneered the concept of combining these two dairy products into one.
It is a more economical option to satisfy your sweet cravings with desserts like mango float and coffee jelly. In terms of consistency, it is thicker than regular all-purpose cream, and it comes at par with condensed milk when it comes to sweetness.
You can add egg whites or gelatin to it to form a more stabilized sweetened whipped cream or homemade ice cream! And aside from desserts, you can also thicken and sweeten your Filipino-style spaghetti sauce more with Angel Kremdensada.
From ₱55
Magnolia is a well-loved and trusted brand in the Philippines known for its meat and dairy products. A true staple in Filipino kitchens since 1981, you can be assured this all-purpose cream will not disappoint. Despite its thinner texture than other leading brands, it won't affect the overall look and flavor of the dish.
Magnolia All-Purpose Cream provides a distinct taste like a heated evaporated milk with a slight hint of sweetness. You can use it to prepare a special sopas or a pumpkin soup to start a sumptuous dinner. You can also incorporate it with other Filipino recipes for a creamy twist like Bistek Tagalog, adobo, or afritada.
From ₱446
If you're into cooking or baking, you could try a variant of all-purpose cream called cooking cream. This type does not break down when heated or when mixed with acids. Elle and Vire is a great all-purpose cooking cream for Bechamel and Mornay sauces or any recipe you can prepare since it blends well with other ingredients.
It has a light texture and thin consistency because it only has a little milk fat. It also has a low reduction rate and shorter cooking time, so you can lock in and preserve all the flavors and nutrients in sauces and cream-based recipes. Plus, it comes with a resealable cap, useful not only for one-time cooking.
From ₱53
We can't deny that the more popular all-purpose creams can be pricey when purchased in large quantities. But worry not, as here's Jersey All-Purpose Cream! It can be a great alternative to more known counterparts as it comes with a budget-friendly price yet a similar taste. It is perfect for those with small food businesses.
It has a neutral and creamy flavor, allowing you to adjust the taste while cooking a sweet or savory dish. Its versatility can help you make your family heirloom recipes like sauces, pasta, and even desserts, too. It also boasts an easy-to-whip consistency, which makes it great for topping your cakes.
From ₱399
Known for other dairy products like a wide variety of quality cheese, expect to have another prime quality product from Emborg! This cooking cream is a versatile ingredient for various cream-based dishes. It is perfect for creamy soups like tomato soup, clam chowder, and pasta sauces like creamy alfredo.
With only 20% milk fat, it has a thinner consistency compared to regular all-purpose creams. However, do not let this fool you! Emborg's all-purpose cooking cream offers a very smooth, rich-tasting sauce with a glossy finish, a delectable choice among chefs and home cooks to achieve a fine-dining-level taste of dishes.
From ₱49
Alaska never fails to deliver noteworthy products to consumers at a reasonable price. And their Crema Asada is no exception! It is an all-purpose cream mixed with its trademark condensed milk. Thus, you can expect that it is sweet and thick and deliciously tickles the taste buds.
More than its sweet taste, you're also in for a treat since it is fortified with nutrients to let you create healthier and more hearty recipes. You can use it to make buko pandan salad, crema de fruta, or simply combine it with mixed berries. You can also put it in the chiller overnight and mix it with other ingredients to create various flavors of sorbetes and pastillas.
From ₱199
Coming from a brand known for its well-loved dairy products, you can expect nothing but pure goodness from this all-purpose cream. It is made from premium quality fresh milk and has no added preservatives or coloring that can affect its quality.
While it's a versatile kitchen staple that you can choose for a wide array of dishes and sauces, it proves to be the best to go with desserts. You can whip it and use it as a topping for cakes, frozen delights, and even plain fruits to give them more flavor and texture.
From ₱57
We are already familiar with the combo of all-purpose cream and condensed milk, but some recipes call for all-purpose cream and cheese. Good news, Angel has got you covered! The KremQueso combines the goodness of cream and cheese, making it perfect if you are cooking pasta or pizza with either red or white sauce.
With this, you can make your dish creamy and cheesy without adding separate blocks of cheese. It does magic, too, if you prefer cheese on your sweet salads. Want to try a cheese fountain instead of chocolate? You can also use this! Just add more cheese to this and set up the fondue machine where you can dip lumpiang shanghai and dynamite.
Below are some of the most asked questions on the web answered by the mybest team.
Heavy cream is much denser than all-purpose cream. It has at least 36% milkfat, making it ideal for thicker cream-based dishes like chowders and soups. You can also use it to make whipped cream, as it can reach stiff peaks easily with its denser properties.
Meanwhile, all-purpose cream is the jack-of-all-trades. You can pretty much use it in any dish that requires cream. It has only 30% or less milk fat, so it is pretty light.
It is possible, but it'll require some effort on your end. You'll need to whip the all-purpose cream at high speed for stiffer peaks. It would also be best to chill the all-purpose cream thoroughly before whipping to achieve a heavy consistency.
It's possible, but not in all recipes. If the all-purpose cream a recipe calls for is unavailable, you may choose to use combined milk and cornstarch, greek yogurt and milk, or coconut cream. You may also opt for a combination of silken tofu and soy milk if you want a vegan substitute.
Kitchens must contain the essential and most commonly-used ingredients. It all boils down to your meal plan and your household's preferred dishes. We have some article reviews about staple ingredients that you can stock up in your kitchen cabinets. Click the links below and consider ordering some of these products.
Author: Roel Pillas Malubay
Re-editor: R. Victoriano
Our buying guide was carefully researched and crafted by the mybest team of writers and editors, in collaboration with the expert featured in this article. We used the buying guide as a basis for choosing and ranking the product recommendations, and we looked at reviews and ratings from different E-commerce sites like Lazada, Shopee, and more.
When you purchase products mentioned in the article, part of the sales may be returned to mybest.
The descriptions of each product is referenced from the content available from the manufacturer, e-commerce sites etc.
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