🎉 Enhanced Converter: Now compare sour cream with Greek yogurt, crème fraîche, buttermilk, and 15+ dairy products! Plus get personalized tips for keto, baking, and more.
🍨 1/2 Cup Sour Cream = 120g
The most searched sour cream measurement!
Why 1/2 Cup Sour Cream is the Magic Amount
- 🎂 Perfect for single-layer cakes: Adds moisture without making batter too wet
- 🧁 Standard muffin recipe amount: Makes exactly 12 regular muffins
- 🥗 Ideal dressing base: Mix with herbs for 4 servings of creamy dressing
- 💡 Easy substitution: Replaces 1/2 cup mayonnaise in most recipes
Sour Cream Compared to Similar Dairy Products
| Product | 1 Cup Weight | 1/2 Cup | Fat % | Best Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sour Cream (Regular) | 240g | 120g | 18-20% | All-purpose |
| Light Sour Cream | 235g | 118g | 10-12% | Dips only |
| Greek Yogurt | 285g | 142g | 0-10% | Healthier sub |
| Crème Fraîche | 250g | 125g | 30% | Premium recipes |
| Mexican Crema | 238g | 119g | 30% | Drizzling |
💡 Switch between these in the converter above to see exact conversions!
Smart Substitutions for 1/2 Cup Sour Cream (120g)
For Baking (maintains moisture & tang):
- Greek Yogurt: Use 1/2 cup (142g) + 1 tbsp milk. See Greek yogurt converter
- Buttermilk + Butter: 1/3 cup + 3 tbsp melted butter, let sit 5 min
- Cream Cheese: 1/2 cup (115g) thinned with 2 tbsp milk
For Dips & Cold Uses:
- Mayo + Lemon: 1/2 cup mayo + 1 tsp lemon juice
- Cottage Cheese: Blend 1/2 cup until smooth
When & How to Use Sour Cream (By Amount)
🎯 Perfect Portions for Every Use
1/2 Cup (120g) - Most Popular!
- 🧁 12 Muffins: Perfect moisture balance
- 🍰 Single Layer Cake: 8" or 9" round
- 🥗 Creamy Dressing: Serves 4-6
- 🌮 Taco Night: Topping for 4
- 🥔 Loaded Potatoes: 4 servings
1 Cup (240g) - Full Recipes
- ☕ Coffee Cake: Signature moist crumb
- 🥧 Cheesecake: No-crack formula
- 🍜 Beef Stroganoff: Serves 6
- 🧄 Dip Base: Party-size (8-10)
- 🍞 Quick Breads: 9x5 loaf
2-4 Tbsp (30-60g) - Finishing Touches
- 🌯 Burrito Dollop: Per serving
- 🍲 Soup Garnish: Swirl on top
- 🧈 Compound Butter: Mix with herbs
- 🎂 Frosting: Stabilize buttercream
- 🥞 Pancake Topping: With berries
Seasonal Sour Cream Applications
🎃 Fall/Holiday
- • Pumpkin bread (1/2 cup)
- • Mashed potatoes (1/3 cup)
- • Coffee cake (1 cup)
❄️ Winter Comfort
- • Beef stroganoff (1 cup)
- • Loaded soups (2 tbsp)
- • Chicken paprikash (3/4 cup)
🌸 Spring/Summer
- • Ranch dip (1/2 cup)
- • Potato salad (1/3 cup)
- • Fish tacos (1/4 cup)
🎉 Parties
- • 7-layer dip (1 cup)
- • Spinach dip (3/4 cup)
- • Nachos (1/2 cup)
Popular Recipes Using Sour Cream
Temperature Matters for Sour Cream
Critical Temperature Guide:
Room temp (68°F/20°C)
Incorporates smoothly
Cold (40°F/4°C)
Maintains thickness
Never above 80°F
Will curdle/separate
Need temperature conversion? Use our converter
How to Measure Sour Cream Accurately
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1
Stir First: Sour cream separates. Gently fold to recombine without adding air.
-
2
Spoon Don't Scoop: Use a spoon to fill measuring cup - scooping compacts it.
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3
Level Off: Use a straight edge (knife back) for precise measurement.
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4
Or Weigh: For accuracy, use 120g for 1/2 cup, 240g for 1 cup.
Storage & Freshness Guide
✅ Do:
- Store upside down (prevents separation)
- Keep at 35-40°F constantly
- Use within 2-3 weeks of opening
- Check sell-by date
❌ Don't:
- Freeze (texture breaks)
- Leave out over 2 hours
- Use metal spoons (can react)
- Store in door (temp varies)
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 1/2 cup of sour cream exactly 120g?
Sour cream has a density of 240g per cup due to its 18-20% fat content and thick consistency. This makes 1/2 cup exactly 120g. It's lighter than Greek yogurt (285g/cup) but heavier than milk (240g/cup).
Can I use light sour cream for baking?
Light sour cream (10-12% fat) can make baked goods less moist and more likely to be tough. It weighs slightly less (235g/cup) and contains stabilizers. For best results in baking, use full-fat sour cream.
Is sour cream heavier than yogurt?
Regular sour cream (240g/cup) is lighter than Greek yogurt (285g/cup) but similar to regular yogurt (245g/cup). The difference comes from water content - Greek yogurt is strained, making it denser.