How to Make Real Whipped Cream and Avoid Cool Whip!
If you’ve never made real whipped cream before, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is. Knowing it isn’t full of the rotten ingredients that Cool Whip from the store has will make you feel great, too. (Things like trans fats, high fructose corn syrup, food additives, etc.) Besides it tastes much better, as all real foods do! I like to make it in my Bosch mixer — a stick blender would work too but it's not hands-free that way.
How to Make Real Whipped Cream
Ingredients
- 2 cups cold real cream, sometimes called, “whipping cream” at the store—raw cream is best, but I usually buy cream from pastured cows at the health food store—especially avoid anything ultra-pasteurized!
- 2 teaspoons organic vanilla
- 1/2 cup organic powdered sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon cream of tartar
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, whip cream until it starts to thicken. Using a cold bowl and cold beaters helps it to thicken more quickly (just throw them in the freezer for a few minutes). Add the rest of the ingredients and whip more until it's the consistency you want. Taste test to see if it needs more sugar. (See how little you can get by with and still have it taste good to your family – it will depend on what you’re putting it on.)
- This only takes a few minutes. Do not over-whip or it will turn into butter. Trust me. Get it just to where it is nice and whipped, and turn the mixer off!
- It's great just like this for dolloping onto desserts, but see below for how to stabilize your cream so you can use it in recipes.
Notes
Stabilizer for dessert recipes:
A commenter below suggested this for stiffening up the cream to use in recipes:
"Take 1 teaspoon of unflavored grass-fed gelatin and mix with 4 teaspoons of cold cream. Place briefly on the stove until dissolved. While beating the whipped cream, slowly add the gelatin (it does not have to be cold). This helps to stabilize the whipped cream for cakes and mousse."I'm so excited to try this in those layered dessert recipes that I haven't been able to make since avoiding the icky Cool Whip!
Powdered Sugar or no?
You know, I don’t know why I’ve always used powdered sugar, maybe just because my Mom did? (Although my Mom has since told me she didn't use that so who knows where I got that from!) I assume you could easily substitute a better sweetener like palm or coconut sugar. That's what everyone tells me anyway. If you put the sugar in your food processor, I'll bet it would make it finer so the whipped cream stays lighter. See the comments for more good information!
What's your favorite thing to put whipped cream on? 
My favorite way to enjoy whipped cream is on top of crème brûlée — try this crème brûlée recipe or this one!
Now there's a better Cool Whip substitution if you don't want to whip your own cream!
Lately I've been using this Truwhip (that link is just to show you, but I can find this easily at our local grocery store) which is not as nutritious as whipping real cream yourself, obviously, but I admit I use this sometimes now because A. we get a lot of healthy fats in already from all the butter, raw milk, and other real foods we eat, and B. these ingredients are SO much better than those found in Cool Whip!
Don't have any cream?
Try this guy's method for making real whipped cream from whole milk!
More you might like:
- Nourishing and FRUGAL Recipe Ideas
- Do you know why eggs are so good for you?
- Dirty Secrets of the Food Industry
Lori says
I’m going to try to add some homemade powdered sugar to my coconut milk, and some gelatin to see if it whips up better, I haven’t had much luck making it fluffy yet, read all the comments hoping someone else had tried it, so wish me luck, if you have any ideas please let me know, I’m lactose intolerant so I can’t enjoy the real whipped cream which I love without terrible consequences.
Dogwood Penworthy via Facebook says
We are on GAPS this year and have been enjoying whipped sour cream with honey and vanilla. I think we actually prefer it. We use it over French vanilla coconut cake topped with fruit or drizzled with homemade honey caramel. Yum! If you are totally dairy free you can whip the thick cream that rises to the top of a can of coconut milk when refrigerated.
Cecilia Krueger via Facebook says
Every year! mmmmm….
Michele Riley Ohmer via Facebook says
2 cups heavy cream, 1 tablespoon organic powdered sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat on medium first so liquid will not fly all over, when slightly set, beat on high speed till light peaks form then stop or else you will have sweetened butter 😉 Happy Thanksgiving everyone!
Janice Ford via Facebook says
After using real cream for several years, why anyone would use cool whip is beyond me. There is no comparison!!
https://Kdyvw.Ynjo9Rhsv.Nxzysy.com says
Lots of people with unusually-spelled names commented on the post, recalling how
disappointed they were as kids when they couldn’t find an “Amie”
or “Teal” pencil at the store. I’d say that’s a bit of a stretch, not to mention a lot
to live up to, but I still like the name. The next purpose is definitely the carrot and stick procedure.
Sheryl says
New raw milk recruit
Sheryl says
Hello all, I read all ypur comments about making whipped cream, with raw milk cream. I just made my first batch , it was just perfect and tastes wonderful. I put my beaters and metal mixing bowl in frig for 5 min, put my cream in my mixer, and started beating it med , then high, I added 1/2 tsp of vanilla, sprinkled in powdered sugar, til it was just right. I didn’t put too much in , to b as natural as possible. I didn’t whip too crazy either so I didn’t end up with butter. Perfect for me . Thank u . Yumm!!
Carmen says
Hi kelly, ive had great success with whipped cream stabilized with gelatin. Not only is the gelatin tasteless, it also makes the whipped cream hold its shape, even for days if need be. I use stabilized whipped cream instead of buttercream icing on cakes for the added lightness and to cut the sweetness of a heavy buttercream… I can make a cake one day, frost it with whipped cream and serve it for the next two days without the cream ‘weeping’ or deflating. For chocolate “icing” i simply add some cocoa. Its great!
Also, i dont know if you already do this, but to get healthy powdered sugar i simply put some of my large grained organic sugar in the food processor or blender and buzz it til its a fine powder…. Its a whole heck of a lot cheaper than buying organic powdered sugar…
Christine says
i know this is an old post, but maple syrup is the BEST sweetener for homemade whipped cream!! the only problem is not eating it all out of the bowl…
azul says
What is the fine line between making whipped cream and mistakenly making butter.? How do I know if I went to far and made butter instead?
KitchenKop says
Because it’ll be less light and fluffy and more thick and goopy like butter.
Kelly
Philip Le says
I don’t see why you demonize ultra pasteurized milk and cream. Milk and cream are not live, and heating them up does not “kill” the milk because there is nothing to kill. Enzymes denatured by the heating process would otherwise denature during digestion anyway, and milk is not a significant source of probiotics.
And I don’t see why you don’t like vitamins A and D in your milk. Vitamin A and D are both necessary for the body to function properly and few foods provide them naturally. Seafood, eggs, and mushrooms are the best dietary sources for these compounds. Most people get them from vitamin fortified foods. It’s not like they affect the taste of milk.
The only difference between raw and pasteurized, and ultra-pasteurized, dairy is the taste, and if you don’t like the taste of cooked milk, then that is your preference. But raw dairy and organic foods can hold no claim on nutrition. They are functionally the same.
Lisa Swoboda says
You have no idea what you are talking about. Raw milk has tons of live bacteria, not to mention enzymes that break down the lactose. All of that is killed in the process. This is why many people who are “lactose intolerant” can actually drink raw milk just fine. Your comment about organic having the same nutritional value as non organic is laughable. Having antibiotics in my milk doesn’t sound very healthy (or appetizing) to me. You should do some research before you comment on things you have no clue about.
Michele says
Can this ‘Cool Whip’ substitute be frozen?
KitchenKop says
It would likely come out very watery…
Kelly
Eva says
It won’t come out watery if you stabilize it. Use the gelatin suggestion above, or even just cream of tartar in the post above yours… both should work fine!
Cindy DePonti says
I have never tried it in whipped cream but I use it in my cheesecakes. I was using sugar free flavored gelatin (lime), but plain would be healthier and I do plan in that for my next batch. I put 16 oz cream cheese, 1 small package of gelatin, 8 oz Greek yogurt, 1/3 cup sweetener (only if using unflavored gelatin), 1tsp vanilla, and 2 eggs. Mix all the ingredients at room temperature then add fresh berries. Spoon into muffin cups and bake for 10 minutes at 350 or until tops start to brown. Remove and allow to set in refrigerator. These are fantastic, don’t fall, and are low carb treats!
pat says
A teaspoon of cream of tartar is a good stabilizer (in 1 cup of raw cream) and you avoid dissolving step and hot water stuff. I usually do the cream part at the last minute so avoid the cream of tartar too. For me, maple syrup sweetened cream just tops the list.
Leila says
I never add powdered sugar to my whipped cream because it’s usually going on top of something that’s already been sweetened. Also, the subtle buttery-creamy-flavour comes through better 🙂
Sharon says
I have a question about whipped cream. We get raw milk and I separate some of the cream off the top after letting it sit for several days. When we try to whip the cream, it just does not whip up even with everything being cold. any suggestions? It may turn frothy but not whipped.
KitchenKop says
I don’t have a source for extra raw cream, so I use the pasteurized and am not sure why that’s not working for you!
Sarah says
I use my Kitchen Aid mixer to make whipped cream. I throw the stainless bowl & whisk into the freezer for awhile–20 min, an hour–depends on when I remember. It usually goes in the freezer a few seconds after I throw up my hands and yell, “oh! I forgot to chill the mixing bowl!” 😉 This speeds the whipping time, and I start with very cold cream, too.
Sweetener: I use maple syrup (so yum!), maybe a scant Tbsp for a pint of cream. If I don’t want the maple flavor (what?? that’s crazy talk!!), I pulse some succanat in the blender until it’s superfine. I have also been known to replace the vanilla with some Grand Marnier or top-shelf rum….ohhhhhh, yeah! I always add a pinch or two of good salt at the end, too. Salt brings out the other flavors!
I’m so gonna try the geletin trick–great idea!
Shell says
Oops, I meant to say there is cornstarch in powdered sugar. Not sure why my brain made me write cream of tarter!
Shell says
Kelly the reason people use powered sugar is that it is bit of stabilizer since it has cream of tarter in it. It will weep after some time in the fridge, but not as fast, and won’t weep as much as if other sweeteners are used.
Rebecca says
powdered sugar also usually has some corn starch which would also stabilize the whipped cream. Im using in a recipe in place of cool whip, mixed with vanilla pudding mix, im thinking the pudding mix will take the place of gelatin in stabilizing it
happymom says
Take 1tsp of unflavored gelatin and mix with 4 tsp of cold water. Place briefly on the stove until disolved. While beating the whipped cream, slowly add the gelatin (it does not have to be cold). this helps to stabilize the whipped cream for cakes and moose.
KitchenKop says
Hi Tina,
Hopefully others chime in too, but in my experience it doesn’t hold up with other ingredients, it gets runny…………. I wonder if you could mix some sour cream with it to give it a thicker consistency…?
Tina says
I want to make pistachio pudding and would prefer to use real whipped cream instead of cool whip, but I am concerned that it won’t hold up. Has anyone tried it?
Kelly says
FYI:
I tried it with palm sugar and it turned out great!
Kelly
Kelly says
Wow, you guys are FULL of great info! Anna, you are over the top with your scoop, as always. 🙂 Cynthia, I don’t know the answer to your specific question, but knowing Anna, trust me, it’s all good. She’s more on top of things than I’ll ever be!
Kelly
Cynthia says
So is the nitrous oxide added IN to the cream? That definitely doesn’t sound natural…just wondering…seems a little creepy to me.
Anna says
I put an iSi cream whipper on my wish list and my son got it for Mother’s Day for me a few years ago (sold at Sur La Table and similar kitchenware stores, but the prices are better and there are more size options at restaurant equipment stores like Smart & Final, etc.).
I love it! All my friends got cream whippers after seeing mine in action. I have the 1 pint (2 cups) size – the 1/2 pint is simply too small and needs refilling more often (and therefore more gas chargers) and the footprint in the fridge is the same, only the height is slightly higher. This devise is what restaurants use to make whipped cream for topping desserts, ice cream, and drinks (unless they are cheapening out and using “whipped topping”).
You pour the cream in the bottle, add a bit of sweetener, liqueur or whatever flavoring if you want, screw on the top, insert the nitrous oxide gas charger into the holder and screw that down to release the gas into the cream. A few shakes distributes the gas into the cream. The empty gas charger is removed (unscrew fast or the valve will not close fast enough to prevent the nitrous oxide from escaping while the holder is releasing), then the cream can be dispensed through the nozzle. Some versions come with different nozzles for different effects. These are great for icing cakes with rosettes of whipped cream instead of frosting (much less sugar).
The nitrous oxide keeps the cream from oxidizing(spoiling) so it stay fresh longer than as liquid cream (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whipped-cream_charger). In our house, that cream whipper is emptied much faster than oxidation can occur but in a more “moderate” cream consumption household, fresh cream will keep for weeks if the whipper is consistently stored in the fridge between uses.
The cream used must be heavy or whipping cream with a high butterfat content(lighter creams and half and half won’t work). Ultra-pasteurized cream will work, but not as well as simply pasteurized cream (though it seems supermarkets now mostly stock ultra-pasteurized with gums, stabilizers, and preservatives). I generally use a whole bottle of Trader Joe’s heavy cream – high butterfat content and no additives at a good price. Be sure to remove and rinse the dispenser nozzle between uses to avoid a clog or buildup of dried cream.
I don’t sweeten the cream, but YMMV. A quick shot of whipped cream does wonders to make plain fresh seasonal fruit, pancakes/oatmeal, or homemade hot chocolate seem like dessert to kids. Over time if you reduce the sugar level, they get used to that, too.
The nitrous oxide chargers are used/abused as a fast recreational drug, so be aware that for that reason, one usually has to ask at the store for replacement chargers (you won’t find them on shelves). And be alert with your nitrous oxide chargers if you have any members of the household who would find this fun (just a warning). Also, there are air shipping rules that prohibit shipping the chargers via air freight (the gas is under pressure) so if you order them, ground shipping is likely to be your only option. I buy the chargers in larger boxes at Smart & Final – cheaper than the mall kitchenware stores. One charger works on all sizes (and you can’t add more cream without using another charger) so I advise getting at least the pint size. Nearly everyone I know wishes they got one larger than a 1/2 pint, especially when entertaining or with larger families..
For large amounts of whipped cream used at one time, I still use my Kitchenaid stand mixer with the whisk attachment, but for quick decorative shots always ready in the fridge, you can’t beat a cream whipper.
Caroline says
I always use either no sweetner at all, or maple syrup. Its just SO much better tasting than sugar, in addition to being healthier. Just a tiny tiny sploosh is good. The cream starts out pretty sweet. I only use sweetner in making it for my mom and sis, who insist it be sweetened, though they like the taste of maple syrup.
Also, its really quite easy to make with a whisk. Its a little tiring at first but doesn’t take that long and you get used to it.
Caroline
Helen says
My son has one of these canisters to make whipped cream. It works great and there isn’t any need to add sugar, it tastes great whipped up plain.
Alyss says
I said this in the comments on your seasonal fruit post but I like to make whipped cream in a mason jar. I fill a jar up about a 1/4 of the way, put the lid on and shake shake shake. I actually often add a dribble of maple syrup or a dash of vanilla to the jar before I start shaking. I’ve got some mint leaves soaking in vodka and think I’ll be making some mint whipped cream in the near future.
Thanks for the great post!
Alyss
Tamara says
I dont have any beaters or mixers so i have to whip mine up myself, lol. Im my cream, i use a little maple syrup and then a splish (not even a splash, just a splish lol) of vanilla extract. Tastes Great!
Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship says
Ahhhhh…cold cream. I thought since warm cream makes butter faster, it might be the same for whipped cream. I was trying to make just a small bit of whipped cream for my daughter’s first birthday cupcake, and I whipped it forever with a little electric whisk…and I accidentally made butter. Drat! She had frosting on her cake, but it was too sweet for her anyway! She loved the low-sugar, raw milk ice cream though. 🙂 I really want to try again! Any idea how long it will last? I’m guessing no longer than the cream would, so it would depend how fresh the cream, right?
Katie @ Kitchen Stewardship
Catherine says
I love whipped cream! Yum. I use stevia for sweetening. Stevia and vanilla mixed together seem to get rid of the stevia aftertaste.
Catherine
Kat says
LOL! I accidentally made butter one time when trying to whip cream. I had no idea at the time what I had done, I just knew I ruined the whipped cream ;). Later when I learned to make butter – I remembered the incident and laughed!
Kat
Local Nourishment says
I’ve never put sugar in my whipped cream at all. Try it, it’s very sweet without sweetening!
I looked into the dispensers, NancyO. I don’t have one. They have to be kept in the fridge to keep the cream cold. They use a carbon dioxide canister (about the size of a large bullet) for propellant. The canisters can’t be refilled and have to be replaced after 75-80 “squirts.”
Local Nourishment
Eva says
This comment is old, but incase anyone reads it… We used to use whipped cream canisters at a coffee shop I worked it… They DEFINITELY can be refilled and reused with fresh cream! You just have to change the bullets, but you usually get about 20 or so in a pack and are in expensive. One pack of bullets should last someone a year if they use cream everyday.
KitchenKop says
Thanks Eva! 🙂
NancyO says
I’ve used honey, agave, and stevia in whipped cream with good results. I use a stick blender to make mine and it really goes fast. Maybe 1-2 minutes, tops! My hubs went to Germany this spring and said when he ordered coffee they asked if he wanted cream and it came with a little dish of whipped cream next to the coffee. I bet it wasn’t ultra-pasteurized, either!
Does anyone have one of those canisters that makes and dispenses cream? I’ve seen them in culinary stores and magazines and wondered about them.
Beth says
Kelly,
We add a bit of powdered raw cacao (it doesn’t need much) and call it chocolate pudding. Yum! Sometimes I’ll use brown sugar instead of rapadura because it seems to dissolve better and family likes it. I don’t think I’ve ever put vanilla; thanks for the tip.
Beth
Katie says
I use a cheap-o hand mixer, and it definitely doesn’t take 10 minutes if the cream is cold, maybe 5 minutes at the most. I don’t add vanilla, just a bit of honey towards the end, and it is sooooo yummy! I never measure either, I just throw some cream in my bowl, start whipping it, and then drizzle the honey in the end. I think it takes a few times of practice to get it the way you lie it, but it is VERY easy to make, and so fresh!
Katie
Stacy says
I use sucanat. It seems to dissolve just fine. About half a tablespoon per serving is all I really need. Cream is sort of sweet as it is, plus it is already going on a sweet dessert.
Stacy
Donielle @ Naturally Knocked Up says
You can make it with honey instead of sugar!
Donielle @ Naturally Knocked Up