What Is Whipped cream and How Can I Use It?

Whipped cream rewards a little know-how: how to choose it, cook it, store it, and substitute in a pinch. Browse 454 recipes to cook with it.

What is whipped cream?

Whipped cream is heavy cream beaten until air turns it light and fluffy. As the whisk works, fat droplets capture air bubbles and link into a network that holds its shape, roughly doubling the volume of the cream you started with.

Sweetened and flavored with vanilla, it takes the French name Chantilly cream. Plain or sweet, it is the soft white topping for pie, shortcake, hot chocolate, and a hundred other desserts.

Making It

Start with cold heavy cream and a chilled bowl and beaters. Cream at 36 percent fat or more whips fastest and holds longest; anything under 30 percent will not whip at all.

Beat on medium until it thickens, then watch closely. Soft peaks fold over when you lift the whisk and are right for spooning over fruit or folding into a mousse. A few seconds more gives stiff peaks that stand up and pipe cleanly.

Add sugar near the end, about 1 to 2 tablespoons per cup of cream, plus a splash of vanilla if you want it sweet. Confectioners sugar is the usual choice because its cornstarch helps hold the foam.

Stop the moment it looks done. Beat too far and the foam breaks into grainy clumps sliding toward butter.

Stabilizing and Do-Ahead

Plain whipped cream weeps. Within an hour or so the air leaks out and it slumps back toward liquid, which is why aerosol-can cream collapses fast and is no good for decorating ahead.

To hold it for hours, stabilize. Bloom a teaspoon of unflavored gelatin in a little water, then melt it and beat it into the cream near soft peaks. That keeps it standing overnight.

A spoon of instant pudding mix or a tablespoon of cornstarch sifted in with the sugar does a softer version of the same job. Stabilized cream is what holds up on a Homemade Oreo Cheesecake or a Mama's Best Strawberry Shortcake that has to sit before serving.

Where It Goes

Most often it is a topping, the cloud on Light & Fluffy Better Than Sex Cake or the crown on a slice of pie. Folded into melted chocolate it builds a quick mousse; folded into custard it lightens a Bavarian cream.

It also enriches off the dessert table. A spoonful stirred into a finished soup or a pan sauce adds body, the same enriching trick the heavier creams pull.

Buying and Storage

The best whipped cream is the kind you whip yourself from a cold carton of heavy cream. Canned aerosol whipped cream is convenient but deflates quickly and tastes faintly of the propellant.

Whip cream the day you serve it for the best texture. Already-whipped cream keeps a day in the fridge if stabilized, less if not, and usually wants a quick re-whisk.

It does not freeze well as a bowl, though piped rosettes can be frozen on a tray and set straight onto a dessert.

Nutrition

Quick facts

Where to find whipped cream: Whipped cream is usually found in the dairy section or aisle of the grocery store or supermarket.

Food group: Whipped cream is a member of the Dairy and Egg Products US Department of Agriculture nutritional food group.

In Chinese

奶油

British (UK) term

Whipped cream

en français

crème fouettée

en español

crema batida

How much does whipped cream weigh?

Related

Dairy and Egg Products

Recipes using whipped cream

There are 454 recipes that contain this ingredient.

Chocolate Coffee

Chocolate coffee melts unsweetened chocolate into strong instant coffee with milk and sugar for a frothy stovetop mocha. Old-fashioned cafe au lait meets chocolate, finished with whipped cream and cocoa.

Italian Coffee with Chocolate

Italian coffee with chocolate: equal parts strong hot coffee and Italian-style hot chocolate poured together, then crowned with whipped cream. A simplified take on Turin's classic bicerin.

Mayan Truffles

Mayan truffles roll dark chocolate ganache spiked with Kahlua and instant coffee into rich cocoa-dusted bites. The coffee deepens the chocolate, the liqueur warms it, and the double dip in melted chocolate gives each truffle a snap.

Hot Baja Coffee

A new, delicious coffee made with kahlua and creme de cacao that can warm anyone up in the morning!

Hot Mocha Milk

Hot mocha milk made in the microwave with chocolate syrup, instant coffee, a dash of cinnamon, and steamy milk. A cozy 5-minute coffeehouse drink at home.

Auntie Lin's Pluto Coffee

Spiked coffee cocktail with 151 rum, Irish cream liqueur, and a fresh whipped cream cap. A boozy after-dinner sipper for cold nights and grown-up gatherings.

Simply Delicious Black Forest Cake

Black Forest cake the shortcut way: devil's food cake mix spiked with cinnamon and cherry yogurt, layered with cherry pie filling and whipped topping. A faster take on the German classic.

Blueberry Tarts

Individual blueberry tarts with a flaky vinegar-butter crust and cinnamon-spiced fresh berry filling. Dusted with powdered sugar and topped with whipped cream for a rustic summer dessert.

Almond Tart with Lemon Curd

A sweet and sophisticated dessert that's perfect to enjoy when curled up around the fireplace.

Valentine Sodas

Bubbly ginger ale poured over scoops of strawberry ice cream and crowned with whipped cream and strawberry preserves. A pink, fizzy Valentine's Day treat ready in 10 minutes.

Easy Pumpkin Nut Pie

Pumpkin nut pie baked in a buttery nut cookie crust with brown sugar, warm spices, and evaporated milk. Topped with brown sugar whipped cream for a nuttier twist on the holiday classic.

Chocolate Cheesecake with Chocolate Nutmeg Crust

Chocolaty, creamy, smooth and rich. This chocolate cheesecake is an ultimate indulgence.

All purpose Ice-cream

A basic ice-cream recipe that is so delicious on its own, but can be modified to make literally all kinds of flavors and ice-cream ideas!

Viennese Spiced Coffee

Viennese spiced coffee steeped with whole cloves and cinnamon sticks, topped with whipped cream and a dusting of cinnamon. A cozy holiday coffee drink with old-world cafe charm.

Open Face Apple Tart

Open face apple tart with overlapping Golden Delicious slices, apricot glaze, and a buttery pastry shell. The classic French tarte aux pommes done simply at home.

Favourite Pumpkin Chiffon Pie

Pumpkin chiffon pie layers warm-spiced pumpkin custard with stiff egg whites and whipped cream, then chills into an airy, mousse-like filling inside a graham cracker crust. A lighter no-bake alternative to traditional Thanksgiving pumpkin pie.

Ann's Banana Chiffon Cake

Ann's banana chiffon cake layers ripe bananas and buttermilk into tender, golden rounds topped with billowy whipped cream. A Southern-style stunner for brunch or dessert.

Shoofly Pie 2

Classic Pennsylvania Dutch shoofly pie with a rich molasses filling and buttery brown sugar crumb topping. This old-fashioned molasses pie recipe bakes up with a gooey bottom and crumbly top that'll have you reaching for seconds.

Strawberry Shortcakes

Strawberry shortcakes have been one of my favorites for over years. Every year when the strawberry season hit, we always go to farmers' market and get lots of fresh and sweet strawberries, then strawberry shortcakes are always one of the recipes we make. The shortcakes are super easy to make, they are buttery and flaky, which is delicious with sweet whipped cream and fresh-juicy strawberries. Haven't heard there is someone who doesn't like it. An absolute keeper!

Squash Apple Walnut Bisque

Butternut squash bisque simmered with apples, walnuts, apple cider, and warm fall spices. A creamy autumn soup with optional cheddar and a touch of cream for richness.

Best Maple Sugar Pumpkin Pie

Maple sugar pumpkin pie pairs warming cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg with a splash of pure maple syrup for an old-fashioned New England take on the Thanksgiving classic. Whole milk and eggs make for a tender custard.

Dakota Prairie Pumpkin Pie

Dakota Prairie pumpkin pie recipe makes three classic 9-inch pies for the holiday table. Spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, enriched with milk and half-and-half, and baked into a silky custard.

Crepes with Fresh Berry Sauce

Delicate sherry-kissed crepes wrapped around vanilla ice cream with a fresh blueberry-raspberry sauce and whipped cream. A berry-loaded summer dessert.

Creamy Cheesecake Pumpkin Pie

Cheesecake pumpkin pie layers a graham-pecan crust with a creamy pumpkin-cream cheese filling spiced with cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Hybrid Thanksgiving showstopper.

Brazilian Iced Chocolate - with Coke

Brazilian iced chocolate with Coke layers melted unsweetened chocolate, double-strength coffee, hot milk, and chilled cola over ice. A retro Brazilian beverage that fizzes between dessert and drink.

Black Forest Cake No. 4

Improve your baking skills with this easy recipe that will have you making this famous delicious cake in no time!

Classic Pumpkin Pie

Classic pumpkin pie with a silky brown-sugar custard, warm pumpkin pie spice, and a two-temperature bake that sets it without cracking. Topped with amaretto whipped cream. The Thanksgiving standard, made easy.

Pumpkin Chess Pie

Pumpkin chess pie crosses Southern chess pie with classic pumpkin filling. Cornmeal-thickened, warmly spiced, and richer than traditional pumpkin pie with a denser, sliceable texture.

Cantaloupe Ice Cream

Cantaloupe ice cream blends ripe puréed cantaloupe with egg yolks, sugar, milk, lemon juice, and whipped cream. Pale orange, floral, and frozen without an ice cream maker for a refreshing summer dessert.

Cranberry Brownie Torte

"Canned cranberry sauce adds a festive finishing touch to this 5 star dessert from Gloria Kirchman of Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Folks are sure to find it irresistible."

No Crust Blueberry Pie

Light and fluffy kinda like a mousee :) A bit of bisquick mix avoids making a pie crust.

Tipsy Cake (Irish)

Learn how to make Jack Daniels Tipsy Irish Cake, which's super easy to make with ready-made Devon custard and leftover pound cake. An Irish cake popular in Chicago as well as Tennessee.

Double Layer Pumpkin Pie

Wow your family this Thanksgiving with this decadent pumpkin pie that will have everyone asking for a second slice!

Fettuccine with Cream, Basil & Romano Cheese Sauce

Very easy and quick recipe. And oh so delicious! I used pancetta instead of bacon and I topped it off with grilled chicken and served it with seasoned steamed broccoli.

Best Pumpkin Mousse

"The light and fluffy texture of this this cool and creamy mousse is perfect after a heavy turkey dinner."

Pumpkin Maple Custards with Honey Glazed Walnuts

Absolutely delicious! I love pumpkin but hate making pie crust, so this is a great alternative. Very easy, too. The maple syrup is a nice subtle flavor. The honey glazed walnuts are really a nice touch. Going to be using them in other things, too. I presented this two ways, one still in the ramekin, and one unmolded. Thanks for a great new addition to the fall dessert line-up.

Ed Debevic's Coconut Cream Pie

This was the best pie that I have ever made and I have made quite a few. It taste like the most decadent dessert ever.

Best in the West (Houston) Pumpkin Pie

I love this pumpkin pie, it is wonderful, all my family love it.

Gloria Moss Old Fashioned Pumpkin Pie

This is my favorite pumpkin pie recipe! I found it years ago, and recently lost it in a move. I was joyous to find it again! I encourage everyone to use fresh pumpkin, just cut into large chunks, steam, then scoop out of peel, easy!

Blackberry Roly-poly

A rustic classic filled with blackberries, from my Grandmother's recipe book.

Pumpkin Pecan Tarts

Spiced pumpkin custard fills mini tart shells, then gets topped with a broiled pecan-sugar crust. These two-bite holiday tarts balance creamy filling with crunchy caramelized nut topping.

Fried Mexican Ice Cream

Fried Mexican ice cream coats frozen ice cream balls in cinnamon-sugar cornflake crumbs, then flash-fries for a crunchy hot shell over cold creamy center. Restaurant-style dessert at home.

Best Key Lime Cheesecake

Key lime cheesecake with a buttery graham cracker crust and a tangy, silky filling made with fresh lime juice, sour cream, and three blocks of cream cheese. Two-stage baking gives it that signature crack-free top.

Cajun Coffee

Cajun coffee swirls strong hot brew with dark molasses for a New Orleans-style nightcap with serious backbone. Optional dark rum and a cloud of whipped cream finish it Bourbon Street style. Don't stir, sip through the cream.

Mama's Best Strawberry Shortcake

I have searched for weeks for the recipe for bubba gump shrimp co's special strawberry shortcake. It was one of those trademark recipes so i had to travel to Chicago to ask for myself. I only managed to find out the biscuit recipe and the vanilla drizzle that goes on bottom, but the rest is pretty simple, so I guessed! :)

Elaine's Kahlua & Cream Cheesecake

It's a decadent cheesecake. Creamy, smooth, and rich.

Light & Fluffy Better Than Sex Cake

Not sure who names this cake, but all I can say this cake tastes absolutely delicious. It's moist, fluffy, and soft. The cream on top adds extra creaminess and richness, it's a decadent dessert that everyone will ask for second piece.

Homemade Oreo Cheesecake

Homemade Oreo cheesecake with a chocolate wafer crust, a rich cream cheese filling lightened with whipped cream, and chopped Oreos folded through every slice. Baked in a springform for true cookies-and-cream decadence.

Spaghetti Squash Tetrazzini

Low-carb spaghetti squash, juicy skinless chicken breast with mushrooms in a flavorful reduction sauce. Seriously yummy way to prepare otherwise boring spaghetti squash.

Easy Banana Split Pie

Pineapple, banana slices, whipped cream in a graham cracker crust with cherries on top. Quick and super easy banana split that kids love.

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