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    Home » Baking Basics » Homemade Whipped Cream

    Homemade Whipped Cream

    Published: Feb 27, 2019 · Modified: Feb 27, 2019 by Kate · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Easy homemade whipped cream recipe! This simple 3-ingredient homemade whipped cream takes just minutes to make. Perfect dessert topping!

    Bowl of homemade whipped cream

    There are a few ways to finish off desserts. A scoop of ice cream or a dollop of whipped cream can really take things over the top.

    Homemade whipped cream is so simple, but it can take any dessert from good to great.

    Or make it the dessert by serving it with something simple like fresh berries.

    And it's so easy to make! It takes just 3 ingredients and 5 minutes to make up a batch of homemade whipped cream.

    How to make whipped cream

    Heavy whipping cream in a silver mixing bowl

    One of the worst things that you could do is to use a hot mixing bowl or beaters straight out of the dishwasher.

    Cream whips better when it is cold. So, it's a good idea to chill your mixing bowl and whisk or beaters before you begin.

    It's also a good idea to have your heavy whipping cream nice and cold.

    You can either use a mixer (hand or stand will work) or use a whisk. Using a mixer is much easier, but it's possible to make whipped cream with a whisk.

    Powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream in a silver mixing bowl

    Once the cream begins to thicken, add the sugar and vanilla extract.

    Using a mixer? You'll be able to tell that the cream is beginning to thicken when you can see the tracks left by the beater as it mixes.

    Whisking by hand? You'll feel the cream thicken as you whisk it.

    Whipped cream in a silver mixing bowl

    Continue beating until the cream reaches the desired consistency.

    For a softer whipped cream, beat until the cream reaches the soft peak stage (the peak of the cream should droop over).

    For stiff peaks, whisk or beat until it holds its peak upright.

    Don't overbeat

    If you're using an electric mixer, it's easy to overbeat the whipped cream.

    After the stiff peak stage, continuing to beat the cream will cause it to begin to look curdled and then to form chunks of butter. There's no way to say cream once it reaches this point.

    How to make lightly sweetened whipped cream

    For lightly sweetened whipped cream, use half of the sugar that the recipe calls for.

    So, for ever cup of heavy whipping cream, use 2 tablespoons of sugar.

    Bowl of whipped cream next to a bowl of strawberriesCan I use granulated sugar?

    You can. You can use an equal amount of granulated sugar instead of using powdered sugar if you prefer.

    Why use powdered sugar?

    Powdered sugar adds sweetness without any grittiness.

    I've rarely had any grittiness when using granulated sugar, but I have found that some brands with larger sugar crystals do give a grittier whipped cream.

    Can I make flavored whipped cream?

    You can! Simply use another flavor or extract in place of the vanilla extract. You may need to adjust the amount depending on the flavor or extract used.

    How to make whipped cream ahead of time

    Whip the cream to soft peak stage, and then cover and chill until ready to use.

    When ready to use, finish whipping to stiff peak stage.

    Homemade Whipped Cream on top of strawberries

    Recipes that use homemade whipped cream

    • Strawberries and Cream Chocolate Cake
    • Chocolate Mousse
    • French Silk Brownies

    If you’ve tried this homemade whipped cream recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and leave me a comment below. I love to hear from people who've made my recipes! You can SUBSCRIBE to receive my latest recipe newsletters or FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, INSTAGRAM and PINTEREST for even more delicious food.

    Homemade Whipped Cream on top of strawberries

    Homemade Whipped Cream

    Simple 3-ingredient recipe to make homemade whipped cream. Check out the step-by-step photos and tips above the recipe. 
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Total Time: 5 minutes
    Servings: 8 servings
    Calories: 118kcal
    Author: Kate @ I Heart Eating

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream
    • ¼ cup powdered sugar¹
    • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    Instructions

    • Chill bowl and beaters for 15 minutes before beginning.
    • Add heavy whipping cream to the bowl.
    • Beat until just begining to thicken. You should be able to see tracks in the cream.
    • Add the vanilla and powdered sugar.
    • Continue beating until whipped cream reaches desired consistency. Do not overwhip or it will begin to turn to butter.
    • Chill any leftover whipped cream 

    Notes

    1. For lightly sweetened whipped cream, use 2 tablespoons powdered sugar. For sweetened whipped cream, use ¼ cup (4 tablespoons) powdered sugar. 
    2. Nutrition values are estimates. 

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1serving | Calories: 118kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 6g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 11mg | Potassium: 22mg | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 435IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 19mg
    Tried this recipe? Rate it below. Mention @i_heart_eating on Instagram & tag #ihearteating!
    « Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
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    About Kate

    Kate got her first cookbook when she was five years old, and she hasn't stopped cooking since then! Her delicious recipes have been featured on Food Network, MSN, Better Homes & Gardens, Buzzfeed, The Huffington Post, and more. When she's not cooking or baking, she can be found on her mini farm with her husband and her five kids.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tina

      August 03, 2020 at 11:06 am

      My whipped cream was too watery. Do you know why? But otherwise it was tasty!

      Reply
      • Kate

        August 06, 2020 at 8:51 am

        There are a few reasons why it may have been watery. If your beater or bowl was warm, it can cause the whipped cream to melt as you whip it. Also, you may have needed to beat the whipped cream longer. The cream should be in stiff peaks. You can tell that it's a stiff peak because it will hold its shape when you lift the beater up out of the bowl. Hope that helps for next time!

        Reply
    2. Kelsey

      March 02, 2019 at 6:34 am

      5 stars
      OMG! My whipped cream was always lumpy and now I know why! Thank you!!

      Reply

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    I’m Kate Dean- mom to five young kids, recipe developer, and photographer. Here at I Heart Eating®, I share my family’s favorite tried-and-true recipes.

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