How to Make Whipped Cream from Scratch

Have you ever experienced the pure bliss of real whipped cream? If not, you’re in for a treat. It surpasses store-bought alternatives in both taste and texture.

Homemade whipped cream is incredibly luxurious, decadent, and rivals the finest vanilla ice cream. Plus, it’s free of any artificial preservatives or additives.

Whipped cream is the perfect topping for desserts and beverages, and with the holiday season approaching, I wanted to share a simple guide on how to make it from scratch.

If you’re new to making whipped cream, don’t be intimidated. It’s remarkably easy and takes less than 10 minutes to prepare!tunesharemore_vert

WATCH HOW TO MAKE WHIPPED CREAM

Whipped Cream Tips

Making whipped cream is a breeze, but here are a few tips to ensure success:

• Whipped cream doubles in volume. If you start with 1 cup of heavy cream, you’ll end up with about 2 cups of whipped cream. Adjust the amount of cream accordingly to achieve your desired quantity (a little extra never hurts!).
• Equipment options: While a hand mixer is convenient, you can also use an immersion blender or even whisk by hand if you’re patient.
• Chill everything. At the very least, your heavy cream should be chilled. For faster results, chill your bowl and beaters as well. Use a tempered glass or stainless steel bowl to retain the cold temperature.
• For a quick whip, use a hand mixer or immersion blender in a chilled, sturdy bowl with a smaller base and tall sides. This maximizes contact between the beaters and cream, speeding up the process.
• Heavy cream is essential. While additional ingredients aren’t strictly necessary, a touch of sweetener and vanilla extract will enhance the flavor, making it taste like the whipped cream you know and love.
• Powdered sugar is traditional, but maple syrup or honey offer a delightful flavor twist. Using high-quality organic cream can also elevate the final product.
• Pay attention! The whipped cream will transform from soft to stiff peaks relatively quickly, so keep a close eye on it to avoid over-whipping. We’ll delve into the different textures below.

Uses for Whipped Cream

Here are a few treats that would be even more delicious with a dollop or two of homemade whipped cream:

• Pies and tarts: Pecan pie, apple tart, pumpkin pie, and many more!
• Fruity crisps: Indulge in apple crisp, peach crisp, blueberry crisp, strawberry rhubarb crisp, or plum crisp.
• Cakes without frosting: Elevate your almond cake, olive oil cake, or any simple cake with a touch of whipped cream.
• Coffee drinks: Add a luxurious touch to your Irish coffee, hot cocoa, or your everyday morning brew.

Soft Peaks

Soft peaks resemble semi-melted ice cream – they are slightly floppy but incredibly smooth and luxurious. This stage is ideal for folding whipped cream into desserts or adding a delicate dollop atop your Irish coffee.

Medium Peaks

Think of a slice of classic pumpkin pie adorned with a generous swirl of homemade whipped cream—that’s the visual cue for medium peaks. The whipped cream will hold its shape with more defined swirls and a firmer texture than soft peaks.

Stiff Peaks

Stiff peaks, also known as firm peaks, create a distinctive rippled texture when you lift the beaters. While not as airy and light as soft or medium peaks, stiff peaks offer more stability, making them suitable for piping or frosting a cake.

Once your whipped cream reaches stiff peaks, it’s crucial to stop blending immediately. If you continue, you’ll end up with a grainy, curdled texture that’s no longer desirable.

When You’ve Whipped Too Long

If you over-whip the cream, it will become grainy and lose volume, essentially falling apart as the fats separate from the liquids, forming butter and buttermilk.

Here’s how you can potentially rescue it:

• Refrigerate and stir: If the over-whipping is minor, try chilling the mixture in the refrigerator for 30 minutes to an hour, then gently stir it with a spatula to recombine.
• Add more cream: For a quicker fix, carefully stir in a few tablespoons of cold heavy cream with a spatula.
• Embrace the butter: If all else fails, don’t despair! You can continue whipping the mixture until it fully separates, resulting in homemade butter and buttermilk.

Here’s a visual comparison of soft, medium, and stiff peaks for easy reference. Hopefully, this helps you achieve your desired whipped cream consistency!

I’d love to hear about your whipped cream adventures in the comments below. Let me know how it turns out and how you use it!

Homemade Whipped Cream

Master the art of creating heavenly homemade whipped cream with this easy-to-follow recipe. With a few simple steps and chilled equipment, your whipped cream will be perfect every single time. This recipe yields approximately 2 cups of fluffy, delicious whipped cream.

INSTRUCTIONS

1. For the quickest results, chill your mixing bowl (either sturdy glass or stainless steel) and beaters (if using) in the freezer for at least 15 minutes, or even overnight.
2. When ready, combine the chilled heavy cream, sweetener, and vanilla extract in the bowl. Start blending on low speed, gradually increasing to medium-high.
3. Keep blending until the cream nearly doubles in volume. It may seem like nothing’s happening initially, but the whipped cream will progress through stages quickly.
4. Soft peaks: Stop when the mixture resembles melted ice cream with faint swirl marks when lifted.
5. Medium peaks: Stop when the mixture holds more defined, closer swirls, mostly retaining them when scooped onto a spoon. This is the classic pie-topping consistency.
6. Stiff peaks: Stop when the mixture forms tight swirls, similar to store-bought whipped topping, ideal for piping or frosting. Don’t overbeat, or it will turn into butter!
7. Enjoy your whipped cream immediately or store it in the refrigerator, covered, for up to 5 days. If it separates, gently stir it back together. It might lose some volume over time, so a light re-whipping may be needed.

NOTES

Elevate your whipped cream experience by experimenting with flavors! Here are some enticing options:

• Boozy Twist: Add 1 or 2 teaspoons of bourbon or whiskey for a delightful adult treat.
• Warm and Cozy: Stir in ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon or pumpkin spice blend for a touch of warmth and spice.
• Refreshing Notes: Use ¼ teaspoon of mint or almond extract for a bright and refreshing twist.
• Chocolate Delight: Indulge in chocolate whipped cream by adding 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder.
• Peanut Butter Indulgence: Satisfy your cravings with 2 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter.
• Tangy Treat: For a subtle tang, incorporate up to 2 tablespoons of thick yogurt or crème fraîche.

The possibilities are endless, so feel free to get creative and discover your favorite flavor combinations!