This quick and easy Homemade Whipped Cream recipe takes just 5 minutes to make and is worlds better than anything you can buy at the store. It’s super fluffy, lightly sweetened with powdered sugar, and flavored with just a touch of vanilla extract.
Homemade whipped cream is one of those simple pleasures that will instantly make your dessert or breakfast recipe even better. It’s the perfect accompaniment to pies, cakes, tarts, French toast, ice cream, and so much more.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fresh & Fluffy: Nothing is better than a dollop of homemade whipped cream. It’s not overy sweet or greasy!
- Quick & Easy: Just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of your time.
- Versatile: Perfect for everything from fruit to pie, hot drinks, and breakfast treats.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Can be prepared a few hours in advance adn kept cold.
Easy Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe
While you may always have a soft spot for Cool Whip, or whipped cream from the can, you just can’t beat fresh whipped cream. It’s so much richer, creamier, fresher, and far more delicious. Plus, with only 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep, this lightly sweetened whipped cream recipe could not be easier.
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Ways to Use Whipped Cream
Serve a dollop of whipped cream on top of your hot cocoa, cheesecake, waffles cake, and pies. Or, use it in a parfait, pipe it on top of Pumpkin Pie, brownie bites and so much more.
Add some strawberry sauce, chocolate sauce, or hot fudge along with some whipped cream to plain vanilla ice cream to make a delicious homemade ice cream sundae.
Key Ingredients
- Heavy Whipping Cream – for best results, be sure and use super cold heavy whipping cream. You can substitute regular whipping cream, but it will not hold its shape for nearly as long.
- Powdered Sugar – this is added to lightly sweeten the whipped cream. You can replace with granulated sugar if you are out of powdered sugar.
- Vanilla Extract – pure vanilla extract tastes best.
How To Make
- Add all of the ingredients into a bowl. In a large chilled bowl using a handheld mixer, or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, add the cold heavy whipped cream, powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
- Whip. Whip the heavy cream mixture on medium high speed for about 3-4 minutes, or until soft peaks, medium peaks or stiff peaks form*, depending on what you plan to use it for.
- Store or serve. Use immediately, or cover with plastic wrap and chill for up to 24 hours. Enjoy!
Recipe Variations
- Chocolate Whipped Cream: Add 2 tablespoons Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder and an additional 3 tablespoons of sugar to the mixture before beating.
- Cinnamon Whipped Cream: Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon when adding sugar.
- Coconut Whipped Cream: Add 1 teaspoon of coconut extract instead of the vanilla extract.
- Maple Whipped Cream: Add 1/4 cup pure maple syrup to the cream after beating instead of the powdered sugar. (With the added maple syrup, it makes a loose dollop and won’t work as well for piped cream)
- Peppermint Whipped Cream: Add 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract in place of the vanilla extract.
- Berry Whipped Cream: Add 3/4 chopped fresh berries to whipped cream and fold together.
- Salted Caramel Whipped Cream: Add 1/4 cup Caramel Sauce to whipped cream. Fold together. Add 1/4 teaspoon of salt if desired.
- Maple Whipped Cream: Use maple syrup in place of some or all of the sugar for a natural sweetener.
Tips for the Best Whipped Cream
- Use Chilled Cream: Cold heavy whipping cream whips faster and holds peaks better.
- Cold Equipment: Chill your bowl and beaters for even beter results.
- Don’t Overbeat: Stop at soft or stiff peaks-overbeating turns cream into butter.
- Sweeten last: Add sugar and vanilla extract after cream begins to thicken.
- Stabilize for Later: Beat in a spoonful of powdered sugar, instant pudding mix, or a little cream of tartar to hold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Homemade Whipped Cream will last for up to 24 hours if stored in the fridge. You can extend that time to about 48 hours by re-whipping it by hand if it becomes a bit loose.
You sure can! Just be prepared to have a sore arm. Make sure your cream and bowl are chilled, and go for it! You can expect it to take quite a bit longer, but it will absolutely whip up eventually.
The butterfat percentage is the main difference between whipping and heavy whipping cream. Heavy whipping cream has more fat, basically meaning it will hold its shape for longer. Either will whip up nicely, but if you plan to pipe your cream onto a pie, or want more stabilized whipped cream, you’ll want to stick with heavy whipping cream.
Sure! Either will work, and some people actually prefer granulated sugar in their whipping cream. We like powdered sugar because it isn’t as grainy but if you are out you can definitely substitute granulated sugar.
Yup! Simply add a couple of tablespoons of cream and whisk it by hand. This will thin it out and bring it back to a soft peak consistency.
(if it is starting to curdle, you’ll need to start over)
Storing and Reheating
Refrigerator: You can store any leftover Homemade Whipped Cream in an airtight container in the fridge for a couple of days, but it’s best if it’s made just before it’s needed. If it starts to deflate, don’t toss it. Grab a whisk and whip it back up by hand, then use as desired.
Ways to Use Homemade Whipped Cream
Easy Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe
Ingredients
- 1½ cups heavy whipping cream, cold
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- In a large chilled bowl using a handheld mixer, or a stand mixer with the whisk attachment, add the cold heavy whipped cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract.
- Whip the heavy cream mixture on medium high speed for about 3-4 minutes, or until soft peaks, medium peaks, or stiff peaks form*, depending on what you plan to use it for.
- Use immediately, or cover with plastic wrap and chill for up to 24 hours. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Nutrition
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What to Serve with Homemade Whipped Cream
- Razzleberry Pie
- Homemade Flaky Pie Crust
- Blackberry Pie
- Peach Pie
- Pecan Pie
- Coconut Cream Pie
- Banana Cream Pie
- Cherry Pie
- Apple Pie
- More Pie Recipes
- More Desserts
This Homemade Lightly Whipped Cream is so much richer, creamier, fresher and far more delicious than anything store-bought. Plus, with just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of prep, it seriously could not be easier.
This recipe is easy to follow and comes out perfect!
Great recipe! I never buy the store stuff anymore, this is really great!