This homemade Whipped Cream Recipe is light and airy while still holding its shape. Includes tips and tricks as well as how to make flavored whipped cream!
I love homemade whipped cream so much that I prefer it over ice cream! It is the perfect topping for my pumpkin pie bars and is a must on top of hot chocolate. Once you make your own whipped cream you’ll never go back to using store-bought whipped topping (aka cool whip).
Tonia’s Notes
I love homemade whipped cream so much that I prefer it over ice cream! It is the perfect topping for my pumpkin pie bars and is a must on top of hot chocolate. Once you make your own whipped cream you’ll never go back to using store-bought whipped topping (aka cool whip).
How To Make
Chilled Bowl
I recommend making whipped cream in a chilled metal bowl using the chilled whisk attachment. Since cream whips best when cold, the chilled bowl will give you the best results by making the most volume from the cream.
To chill the bowl and whisk, simply place them in the freezer for about 15 minutes before starting.
Beat Until Thickened
Start by beating only the whipped cream until it is thickened, like in the photo below. Once it is thickened, add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Then continue beating until it is as thick as you want it to be.
Stiff Peaks
You’ll know that your whipped cream is ready when it forms stiff peaks. What that means is when you lift the whisk attachment up out of the whipped cream a peak will form and hold its shape.
You can see in the photo below that the whipped cream is very thick and the whisk leaves tracks in the whipped cream as it moves around the bowl. That means it is done!
If you prefer to have whipped cream with soft peaks, stop beating it a little sooner.
What is the difference between heavy whipping cream, heavy cream, and half-n-half?
The difference between the different kinds of cream is the milkfat in them. To get the best whipped cream that holds up well, you’ll want to choose the one with the most milkfat. Using a cream with less fat will give you an airy texture that will flatten and liquefy over time.
Heavy cream, also known as heavy whipping cream, is cream with 36% milkfat. You want to use it for this recipe.
Other creams you may see at the store include light whipping cream with 30% – 36% milkfat and light cream or whipping cream with 18% – 30% milkfat.
Can I make whipped cream with half-n-half?
No, it doesn’t have a high enough ratio of fat to be able to whip and hold its form. Half-n-half is a mixture of milk and cream that contains 10.5% – 18% milkfat. If you get it really cold, almost frozen, you may be able to whisk it until it is airy, but it won’t hold its shape.
Make With A Whisk
To make whipped cream with a whisk, you’ll need a little muscle to get it whipped! Start with a chilled bowl and wire whisk. Then, vigorously whisk the cream by hand instead of using a hand mixer or stand mixer following the recipe below.
Flavored Whipped Cream
You can make other flavors of whipped cream by adding different extracts or flavorings instead of the vanilla in the recipe. Try making almond or peppermint flavor.
Another option is to add additional ingredients, along with the powdered sugar and vanilla, to make other flavors.
- Chocolate Whipped Cream: In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup cocoa powder and an additional 2-4 tablespoons of powdered sugar into the powdered sugar already called for in the recipe before adding it to the mixing bowl.
- Strawberry Whipped Cream: Add 1/4 cup of cold strawberry jam.
- Espresso Whipped Cream: In a small bowl, whisk one tablespoon of espresso powder into the powdered sugar before adding it to the mixing bowl.
- Pumpkin Spice: Add two teaspoons of pumpkin spice.
- Lemon: Add 1/4 cup of cold lemon curd.
Stabilized Whipped Cream
If you want your whipped cream to hold up even better, you can add gelatin to make stabilized whipped cream. Sprinkle two teaspoons of unflavored gelatin over two tablespoons of cold water. Allow the gelatin to soften and thicken for 5-10 minutes.
Then, heat in the microwave in 5-second intervals until dissolved. Slowly add to the whipped cream after the powdered sugar and vanilla, while the mixer is on low. Beat until stiff peaks form.
Storage Tips
- Refrigerator: Store it in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days. Rewhip it as needed.
- Freezer: Put it in an airtight container and store it in the freezer for up to two months. Thaw in the refrigerator and re-beat it again until it is the consistency you want.
Ways To Use This Whipped Cream Recipe
This Pumpkin Bars recipe is the ultimate autumn dessert for sharing. It is easy to make and tastes even BETTER than pumpkin pie!
Homemade Key Lime Pie is sweet and tart with a graham cracker and macadamia nut crust topped with whipped cream and key lime zest.
This Blueberry Cheesecake Dessert recipe is my husband's childhood favorite with a light, moist cheesecake topped with blueberry pie filling and whipped cream.
Top Banana Pancakes with whipped cream and it’s like having dessert for breakfast. Banana pancakes are easy enough to make on a weekday morning and delicious enough to serve for brunch.
Slow Cooker Apple Cider topped with whipped cream, caramel sauce, and cinnamon syrup is perfect for fall and winter. Serve it at Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
Whipped Cream Recipe
Video
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups heavy whipping cream
- 6 tablespoon powdered sugar
- 2 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
- Beat the heavy whipping cream in a chilled metal bowl with the whisk attachment until thickened.
- Add the powdered sugar and vanilla.
- Beat until stiff (or soft peaks, if preferred) peaks form.
- Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2-3 days or up to 2 months in the freezer.
Notes
- Chocolate Whipped Cream: In a small bowl, whisk 1/4 cup cocoa powder and an additional 2-4 tablespoon of powdered sugar to the powdered sugar already called for in the recipe before adding to mixing bowl.
- Strawberry Whipped Cream: Add 1/4 cup of cold strawberry jam.
- Espresso Whipped Cream: In a small bowl, whisk 1 tablespoon of espresso powder. into the powdered sugar before adding to mixing bowl.
- Pumpkin Spice Whipped Cream: Add 2 teaspoons of pumpkin spice.
- Lemon Whipped Cream: Add 1/4 cup of cold lemon curd.
Marsha Brown says
Tonia…what is the difference between using powdered sugar and regular granulated sugar?? I have always used reg sugar. Never thought about using powdered sugar
Tonia says
Hi Marsha,
You can use either one. I use powdered sugar for several reasons. It blends into the cream really smoothly. Since powdered sugar also contains a little cornstarch, it helps thicken the whipped cream, helps prevent weeping and helps it hold its shape longer.
If you use granulated sugar, add it right at the beginning so that it will be able to dissolve into the cream.
Enjoy,
~Tonia