Homemade whipped cream is so easy to make and it's made with 3 simple ingredients you probably already have at home! It takes your desserts, milkshakes, and smoothies to the next level! You won't go back to store-bought after you make your own!
Be sure to top your chocolate chip milkshake and strawberry vanilla milkshake with this light and fluffy whipped cream!
If you have never made homemade whipped cream, I hate to tell you, but you are missing out. I love that can of whipped cream as much as the next person, but whenever I can, I am making homemade whipped cream. Honestly, I've never been a fan of the whipped containers, who knows what those are made of! So now, I make homemade whipped cream as much as possible.
Don't be intimidated by it! It's just a few simple ingredients you probably already have at home and some time. Don't overthink it! Use this whipped cream to top lots of delicious milkshakes or smoothies. You won't regret it!
How Long Does it Take to Make Whipped Cream?
Making homemade whipped cream is super quick and easy. It usually takes about 5 to 10 minutes to whip up a fresh batch. Just chill your mixing bowl and beaters, pour in some heavy cream, add a bit of sugar and vanilla, and beat until it's fluffy. Before you know it, you'll have delicious whipped cream ready to go!
Ingredients to Make Homemade Whipped Cream
- Heavy cream. It should be very cold, basically directly out of the refrigerator. This helps keep the whipped cream nice and light and fluffy.
- Powdered sugar. Must be powdered sugar or confectioner's sugar. This sweetens the whipped cream without getting any feel of gritty sugar.
- Vanilla extract. This flavors this whipped cream just a little bit. If you like the taste of vanilla, add some more!
Be sure to check out the printable recipe card for full recipe information on ingredients and quantities.
Is Heavy Cream the Same As Whipping Cream?
When you are in the grocery store, you may see both heavy cream and whipping cream and wonder what the difference is. I know I did for a long time!
Heavy cream and whipping cream are both delicious, but they have just a slight difference. Heavy cream has a higher fat content, usually around 36-40%, which makes it thicker and able to hold its shape better when whipped. That is what we will be using for homemade whipped cream.
Whipping cream has a bit less fat, around 30-35%, so it's lighter and fluffier when whipped, but it might not stay as firm. Both are great for different recipes, but for this recipe, stick with heavy cream if you can.
Can I Make Whipped Cream by Hand?
You can make whipped cream by hand, but it will take a while! If you are looking for your arm workout, mix whipped cream by hand! You'll use this recipe but instead of using a hand mixer or a stand mixer, use a whisk and mix until soft peaks or stiff peaks form. Whichever you prefer.
How To Make Homemade Whipped Cream
Step 1: Using very cold heavy cream, add the heavy cream to a cold bowl. Top with the powdered sugar and vanilla extract.
Step 2: With a hand mixer or a stand mixer, whip the cream until medium peaks are formed. Start with 3-4 minutes. If you would like stiff peaks, keep it to 4-5 minutes of whipping on high speed.
Lynn's Tip!
Start the whipping on medium speed. This will prevent the cream from getting all over your kitchen and we've all been there! As the cream thickens, increase the speed.
What Are Stiff Peaks?
Stiff peaks are what you get when you've whipped cream to the point where it stand up straight without drooping when you lift the whisk. It means the mixture is firm and holds its shape perfectly.
If you are using this whipped cream recipe to make another dessert, you may want stiff peaks. If you are using it to top milkshakes or ice cream sundaes, soft peaks are great.
Tips and Tricks
- It's really important to have the bowl, beaters, and heavy cream as cold as possible. Keep them all in the refrigerator for at least an hour before you are going to make the whipped cream.
- Keep an eye on the whipping! Do not walk away from whipped cream. As soon as it reaches the consistency that you want, remove the whipped cream from the bowl.
- Make it flavored! We are using vanilla extract, but feel free to add cinnamon, pumpkin pie spice, or whatever flavorings you would like. Make sure to add the flavorings early so they are whipped into the cream as it forms peaks.
How Long Does Whipped Cream Last?
To store homemade whipped cream, put it in an airtight container and refrigerate it. It will usually keep well for about 24 hours in the refrigerator. If you need it to last a bit longer, you can gently re-whip it to restore its fluffiness before using.
You can even freeze whipped cream if you want! The best way to do it is to freeze individual dollops on a baking sheet. Once the dollops have frozen, place them in an airtight container or a gallon sized freezer bag and pull one out as you need it. They defrost quickly too so you can use them right out of the refrigerator.
Serving Suggestions
Serve homemade whipped cream with all of your favorite desserts! I especially love serving them with milkshakes! Here are some of my favorites:
How To Fix Overwhipped Whipped Cream
If you’ve overwhipped your whipped cream and it's turned grainy, don't worry, it can be saved! Simply add a bit more liquid cream to the bowl and gently whisk by hand until the texture smooths out. This will help restore that fluffy, creamy consistency.
You can also just keep whipping, turn it into butter, and start again!
Frequently Asked Questions
If your whipped cream is taking longer than expected to thicken, it might be because the heavy cream is not cold enough. Keep whipping though, it will get there. You can also place everything in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to chill it and then resume whipping.
I would not recommend using anything besides heavy cream to make whipped cream. Other milks do not have enough fat content to whip up well. You won't get those fluffy peaks with anything besides heavy cream or whipping cream.
It's not recommended. The granulated sugar will weigh down your whipped cream and also leave a gritty feel in the whipped cream.
Homemade Whipped Cream
Equipment
- Mixing Bowls
- Hand Mixer
Ingredients
- 1 cup Heavy Cream
- 2 tablespoon Powdered Sugar
- ½ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, add the heavy cream, vanilla extract, and powdered sugar.
- Starting on medium speed, whip the cream. Gradually increase the speed as the cream gets thicker. For medium peaks, beat for 3-4 minutes. For stiff peaks, beat for 4-5 minutes.
Notes
- It is very important to make sure that your bowl, heavy cream, and mixers are very cold.
- This makes about 4 cups of whipped cream. You can easily double or triple this recipe if you are feeding a crowd.
- Keep whipped cream in an airtight container in the refrigerator for 24 hours if you need to make it ahead of time. You can also freeze dollops of whipped cream on a baking sheet and then keep it in the freezer to top desserts or milkshakes.
- A hand mixer or a stand mixer will make quick work of whipping cream. If you'd like an arm workout, feel free to whip it by hand.
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