Dessert/ Frostings & Sauces/ Fundamentals

Whipped Cream

April 7, 2022

This easy homemade whipped cream recipe is fluffy, delicious, and perfect for topping cakes, pies, and ice cream. Plus, I’ve included tips and tricks on how to make it absolutely perfect!

Homemade Whipped Cream | prettysimplesweet.com

How many times have you overwhipped your cream to the point that it turns into butter? If your answer is zero, then you’re either lying or a baking genius. I hope you are lying, so I could feel better about myself.

There was a time when I added whipped cream to just about everything – pecan pie, peanut butter ice cream, chocolate tart, you name it! Those days aren’t totally over, but luckily I’m able to control myself a bit more. My point is, nothing beats homemade whipped cream, and knowing how to make it properly is essential for anyone who likes to bake. I’m guessing that’s pretty much all of you, otherwise you wouldn’t be here, right?

How to make whipped cream

Whipped cream is simple to make, but there are a few things to keep in mind to ensure it turns out.

To make whipped cream, pour cold cream in a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. Or, you can use a handheld mixer. Simply whip the cream on medium-high speed with sugar and vanilla extract until desired consistency is reached. If you want to omit the sugar or vanilla, feel free.

Keep an eye on your cream as it whips – it can quickly overwhip and turn into butter!

My #1 tip: Chill the heavy cream. Chilling the cream is necessary for it to whip up properly. To be on the safe side, I also place my bowl and whisk attachment in the refrigerator or freezer for 15 minutes before I start whipping.

Sounds easy, right? It is! But to avoid any whipped cream mishaps, keep reading!

How do I know when my whipped cream is done? Soft peaks vs. stiff peaks

Excellent question – and the truth, it depends on what you’re going to be using it for. Recipes typically instruct to whip cream to soft, medium, or stiff peaks. This terminology is a way to describe how thick and sturdy the cream is. You’ll notice the longer you whip the cream, the thicker and sturdier it appears.

Soft peaks refers to the beginning stages of whipped cream, when it’s just starting to incorporate air and transforms from a liquid to a scoopable cream. If you lift up the beaters and look, the peaks should curl down. Soft peaks don’t hold their shape and have a softened texture.

Medium peaks is the next whipping stage. They hold their shape fairly well, but the tip of the peaks still curl slightly when the beaters are lifted.

Stiff peaks refers to cream that’s been whipped for longer and has a very sturdy appearance. It will look almost like ice cream or frosting. The peaks will stand straight up and appear firm when the beaters are lifted up. (Note: Be careful not to overwhip your cream at this point. If you continue whipping too much the fat will separate, creating, you guessed it – homemade butter!).

Note: If you aren’t following a recipe and are whipping cream simply to use as a topping, I recommend going for medium to stiff peaks. This will have a nice texture and hold itself up when dollopped on top of a dessert. If you want to pipe your whipped cream, definitely go for stiff peaks.

Can I flavor whipped cream?

For whipped cream topping, I add vanilla extract and a bit of sugar to give it some wonderful flavor. But you can use other extracts, too, such as almond, coconut, or orange extracts — even leave out the sugar if you don’t want it to be sweet.

You can also try adding cocoa powder, instant coffee or espresso powder, fruit puree, seedless jams, citrus zest, melted chocolate, or a splash of liquor. The possibilities are endless!

Powders such as coffee or cocoa should be added at the beginning of whipping to allow it to dissolve. For other options, add them to the cream just before soft peaks start to form, then keep whisking until you reach the desired texture. Alternatively, you can fold them gently into the whipped cream once it’s ready.

Note: If you want to flavor the entire amount of whipped cream in this recipe, here are some measurement options:

  • 1 teaspoon coffee powder
  • 1/4 cup jam, fruit puree, or lemon curd
  • 2-3 tablespoons sifted cocoa powder

Once you add your flavoring, whisk a bit until mixed, then taste and add more as needed according to your own preferences.

Homemade Whipped Cream | prettysimplesweet.com

What’s the difference between heavy cream and whipping cream?

While they are similar, the main difference is the fat content. In the US, heavy cream, which may also be called heavy whipping cream, must have a minimum fat content of 36%. If you see a container labeled whipping cream without the word heavy in front of it OR light whipping cream, it mean the product has less than 36% fat. Most likely, it contains a fat content somewhere between 30%-35%.

To make whipped cream, be sure to use heavy cream. While whipping cream will whipo, it won’t be as sturdy or stable. It will be lighter and have a more pillowy texture.

How long can you keep whipped cream, and what’s the best way to store it?

Whipped cream can be prepared up to 24 hours ahead of time if it’s kept refrigerated. After this amount of time, it may start to separate. The best way to store it is by placing a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl and placing the cream on the strainer. That way, any liquid will leak into the bowl underneath.

If you want a more stabilized whipped cream (good for frosting cupcakes or cakes), here’s a guide.

A few of my favorite desserts to pair with homemade whipped cream

4.75 from 4 votes
Homemade Whipped Cream | prettysimplesweet.com
Whipped Cream
Prep Time: 5 mins
YIELD: 2 cups
 

This easy homemade whipped cream recipe creates fluffy, soft whipped cream that pairs perfectly with cakes, pies, tarts, you name it!


Ingredients
  • 1 cup (240 ml) heavy cream, chilled
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract , optional
Instructions
  1. Using a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, whisk heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla on medium-low speed for 30 seconds. Increase speed to high and whisk until soft peaks form or desired thickness is reached. Avoid overbeating.
  2. If not using immediately, place whipped cream on a fine-mesh strainer set over a small bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

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14 Comments

  • Reply
    Julie @ Lovely Little Kitchen
    March 17, 2015 at 2:36 pm

    Great post! I do adore freshly whipped cream, and love all the flavor options you’ve listed here!

    • Reply
      Shiran
      March 19, 2015 at 7:26 am

      Thank you Julie!

    • Reply
      Lyssa
      April 17, 2020 at 8:26 pm

      You look really nice and pretty

  • Reply
    Hussain
    October 12, 2016 at 11:42 pm

    Thanks a ton shiran

  • Reply
    Synthia
    August 24, 2018 at 6:56 am

    Great recipe! But I don’t have a mixer fitted with the whisk attachment. What should I do? How do i do it without a mixer ? Please help… 🙁

    • Reply
      Shiran
      August 26, 2018 at 12:58 pm

      Hi Synthia, you can whisk it by hand using a large whisk, but it’s not easy. It’s better to do this for a small amount of whipped cream. You can google it to see how to do it.

    • Reply
      Fran Post
      December 2, 2018 at 7:38 pm

      I have seen whipped cream made simply by shaking in a cold jar. It takes awhile (15 minutes or so) but was just lovely to eat.

  • Reply
    Tania
    November 22, 2018 at 2:07 pm

    I use a hand mixer. I once used a food processor and a blender. Those are a little bit more tricky I think because you have to stop more to check on them. I have never made butter but I have come close a couple of times lol.

  • Reply
    Laurie Benenson
    November 25, 2021 at 7:57 pm

    So you insert the strainer into the bowl and then put the whipped cream on top?

    • Reply
      Talia @ Pretty. Simple. Sweet.
      November 28, 2021 at 10:40 pm

      Hi Laurie, placing the whipped cream in a fine mesh strainer over a bowl will remove any excess water that leaks out from the whipped cream while it’s stored in the fridge 🙂

      • Reply
        erika
        December 10, 2021 at 2:52 am

        do I need to cover or enclosed everything or just put it in the fridge open?

        • Reply
          Talia @ Pretty. Simple. Sweet.
          December 10, 2021 at 12:05 pm

          I would recommend covering it just to be sure it doesn’t absorb any odors that might be lingering in the fridge.

  • Reply
    nurhanani ghazali
    November 30, 2021 at 8:50 pm

    Do I need to whipped again after storage in the fridge 24hour?

    • Reply
      Talia @ Pretty. Simple. Sweet.
      December 2, 2021 at 5:41 pm

      Hi Nurhanani, you don’t need to rewhip the cream after storing in the fridge.

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