I kind of cringe when I think about how many tubs of store bought “whipped cream” I ate growing up… Sure it tastes relatively good — but have you ever looked at the ingredients in it? Not much going on in the way of good stuff. In fact, light cream checks in at number six on the ingredient list. Really?
As my family has started to reevaluate the foods that we’re eating, I decided to try my hand at making homemade whipped cream. I was surprised to find that it’s actually very simple and easy to make. In less than five minutes you can have all-natural whipped cream that’s full of flavor and much healthier!
My kids actually prefer the taste of homemade whipped cream (as seen with these Red, White and Berry Kabobs to celebrate the 4th of July!), and I feel good about being able to control the ingredients in it. Try skipping the sugar and vanilla and adding fresh, mashed berries to sweeten it instead!
Ingredients:
- 1 cup heavy cream (not ultra-pasteurized)
- 3 tablespoons sugar (granulated or confectioners')
- 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
Instructions:
- Add heavy cream, sugar and vanilla to a bowl.
- Whip cream using a whisk or an electric mixer on medium speed.
- When you can form soft peaks (meaning the peaks bend over at the top when you remove the whisk or beater), the whipped cream is done. Be careful not to over beat or the cream will become grainy as butter granules start to form.
Tips for making whipped cream:
- Chill your bowl and whisk or beaters in the freezer for about two hours before using.
- Using ultra-pasteurized cream is not recommended — the heating process makes it much harder to whip.
- I prefer to use a hand whisk instead of an electric mixer. It takes longer, but you have more control and less chance of over beating it.
- Leftover whipped cream can be stored in the refrigerator for up to two days. It will lose volume, but you can quickly whip it back up.
What’s your favorite treat to top with homemade whipped cream?
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Cindi says
As far as the Bullet, I never tried that but I do know every utensil you use has to be scrupulously clean. Any oily residue on mixers, bowls, etc. will keep cream from whipping up.
Tisha says
I will never ever buy Redi Whip again! That nasty mono crap is in it! homemade is the way to go!
shelley says
Hi i am so excited to try this, but was wondering anyone know the shelve life if in air tight container in fridge??
Thanks!
*hmm.. not sure if i posted this right.. trying again.. sorry
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Hi Shelley! It won’t stay whipped and fluffy indefinitely like Cool Whip, but you should be able to fluff it up a bit and finish it off a day after making it.
shelley says
Hi i am so excited to try this, but was wondering anyone know the shelve life if in air tight container in fridge??
Thanks!
Mandi says
I just made this with a whisk, it was really fun and tastes way better that the store bought crud. Even my little brother prefers it to other stuff! My cat just tried to mooch some off me, so I guess it’s a good sign XD
Ellen says
I agree with you,Tara
Danni says
Tam, there’s two different blades with the magic bullet. Make sure you’re using the “flat” whipping blade. Its not the same as the chopper one that the blades point up.
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Thanks so much for your assistance, Danni!
Tam says
Please help. I’m new at this. I was given a Magic Bullet by my mother in law and the ad shows how to make a yummy whipped cream in seconds using a heavy whipping cream. I’m sorry, but, it doesn’t work. It’s still liquid. What am I doing wrong? I bought Good Value brand heavy whipping cream. Put 1/4 c in the short cup using the flat blade as recommended but it is still liquid. I whipped it for 7 sec., then 2 min., then 5 min., then 7 min. and it is still liquid. It’s not whipping cream at all. It’s stagnant cream. I’m afraid to try anything else, I’m not made out of money. Am I using the wrong stuff? Argh! Any suggestions as to what product I can use in this (non) Magic Bullet contraption so I can make a simple fluffy whipped cream?
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
I wish I could help, but I’ve never used a Magic Bullet, so I’m not really sure how to troubleshoot your recipe. Hopefully another reader can weigh in!
ciny says
i tried this recipe and really like it…..could you add coffee liquor or spearmint extract instead of vanilla? or would it compromise the texture of the whipped cream??
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Yes, you could certainly add different flavorings — it’s fun to experiment!
jack says
I loved making it and my children loved it too.
Samantha says
Delicious!!!
I used triple the recipe with ultra pasturised since that’s all I had and whipped it electrically on medium for about five minutes after having the bowl and mixers in the freezer for a bit and it came out amazing!! Thanks so much!!
Dorita Tolbert says
I used the Ultra Pasturized Heavy Cream with my Kitchen Aide and it worked GREAT! It whipped up just like it was supposed to using a medium to low level and checking it in between. PERFECT. I also supplemented all sugar with the truvia/sugar mix. Next I will try it with Splenda.
mindy says
Just made this to go with a recipe for homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes. All I can say is amazing! Never buying the stuff in a tub or can again! Thank u :)
PS – I used whipping cream from Aldi (Ultra pasteurized) and didn’t seem to have any trouble with it
conie says
hi..so good . Thanks for the recipe;)
dab says
You can stabilize whipped cream by adding 1/4 tsp of gelatin to 1 cup of heavy cream before you whip it. It keeps it from dissolving so quickly and is really great for frosting a cake with the whipped cream.
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
Thanks for the tip, Dab!
Jacalyn Margittay says
just a hint – try substituting powdered sugar; it dissolves more quickly and doesn’t result in that “grainy” texture.
Jacalyn Margittay says
just a hint – if you use powdered sugar it will dissolve faster and you won’t get that “grainy” texture
SouthCountryMom says
Don’t know why it shows that one entry on my blog… Let’s try this again. LOL
Whipped cream is surprisingly good with no sugar added, as well!
janice says
I love your site so many great ideas
Sue says
Nice tutorial! Homemade whipped cream is soooo much better than that crap that comes in the tubs! I’ll never go back!
Sommer@ASpicyPerspective says
Hey Tara, we make this all the time. It’s gotten to the point where the kids snub store-bought whipped cream, calling it fake fluff! ;)
Tara @ Unsophisticook says
“Fake fluff” is a great name for it, LOL!
Candin says
Pavlova! A chocolate meringue disc covered with whipped cream and fresh berries.
JuneC says
I stopped making whipped cream years ago, when the cream became “ultra” pasteurized. I will look, but I thing that the ultra is all that is available in my local grocery store
Dianne says
You can still whip ultra, just freeze everything, I do use a hand mixer and freeze the beaters and even put cream in freezer for a few minutes. So easy and so much better then the can. The only place to get the no ultra would be the places that deliver milk and cream, and probably Whole Foods. But I use whipped cream in a lot of receipes and the ultra pasteurized works fine for me, plus stays longer.