This Homemade Whipped Cream is billowy, light, fluffy, and the perfect topping and filling for so many desserts. It has just three ingredients, takes minutes to prepare, and tastes better than store-bought whipped topping. Watch the video tutorial to see how easy it is to make whipped cream.

Homemade whipped dream piped into a small bowl with strawberries for dipping

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Quick trivia: what do my Banana Pudding Recipe, Cream Puffs, and Strawberry Shortcake (three of our most popular desserts) have in common? Homemade whipped cream, of course!

Whipped Cream Video

Make the best homemade whipped cream in minutes! Don’t miss my tip for making stable dessert tipping that can hold up piping over desserts.

Easy Whipped Cream Recipe 

One of my New Year resolutions for this year has been to reduce the fake ingredients I eat by making more of the things I buy at home. I feel better knowing each ingredient used—especially when using a lot, like in our Strawberry Pretzel Salad. Homemade whip cream is one of the easiest things to make at home, and the difference in taste and texture is real.

Homemade whipped cream recipe in a a mixing bowl with red spatula and strawberries around

Tips for the Best Whipped Cream

Here’s everything you need to know before you get started. It’s super easy to make, but also easy to overbeat.

  • Cold is your friend – use the cream right out of the fridge. You can also put your mixing bowl and beaters in the freezer for 10 minutes if you are in a warmer environment.
  • Use heavy cream – this cream has the most milk fat at 36% or more, which helps it whip better. Avoid whipping cream or lite cream since its fat content isn’t high enough.
  • Don’t walk away– the mixture beats up quickly and is easy to over-beat. *See my tip below on how to fix curdled cream.
  • Control the speed – gradually increase the mixer speed from medium to medium-high for a more stable whipped cream.
  • Know your peaks – Use my tips below for achieving soft to stiff peaks.

Ingredients for Homemade Whipped Cream

It really is just 3 ingredients and the vanilla is optional but I think it makes the whipped cream so much better. See the exact measurements in the recipe card below.

  • Heavy whipping cream – be sure to stick with cold Heavy Whipping Cream since the milk fat creates a creamy texture.
  • Powdered sugar – also called confectioners’ sugar dissolves the best and contains cornstarch that will help you stabilize your whipped cream. Swap with granulated sugar in a pinch (or—see How to Make Powdered Sugar from Love and Lemons). Tip: Use powdered sugar for large batches since granulated sugar may not get as smooth.
  • Vanilla extract – adjust to taste or omit if desire. You can also substitute it (see variations below).
three ingredients for homemade cool whip including vanilla, powdered sugar and Heavy Whipping cream

Variations

  • Chocolate Whipped Cream Recipe  – add 3 Tbsp of cocoa powder to the recipe
  • Flavorings – swap the vanilla for almond or peppermint extract or liquor, or add 1/2 tsp spices like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice
  • Swap sweeteners – substitute part or all of the sugar with honey or maple syrup (the more liquid you substitute, the longer it will take to form peaks)
  • Stabilized Whipped Cream – for a more sturdy texture, add up to 1/2 tsp Cream of Tartar

How to Make Whipped Cream

You can use an electric hand mixer, a balloon whisk (although that takes a lot more effort), or even a milk frother for a small batch.

  • Add Ingredients – Add the heavy cream, powdered sugar and vanilla to the mixing bowl.
glass mixing bowl with ingredients for homemade Cool Whip on a wooden counter
  1. Beat with a mixer – With an electric hand mixer or stand mixer, beat on medium speed until the mixture starts to thicken, then beat on medium-high. Stop when it just reaches the consistency you like – soft peaks or stiff peaks (see my tips below). It only takes a couple of minutes, so be sure not to over-mix!
how to make whipped cream using a handheld mixer
  1. Serve – Use right away or cover in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.
easy whipped cream recipe in a mixing bowl

Can I Double the Recipe?

Each cup of heavy cream makes double the amount of whipped cream. For example, this recipe uses 1 cup of cream to make 2 cups of finished whipped cream.

How Long to Beat Whipped Cream?

While whipping, stop the mixer to text for consistency. Lift the beater straight up out of the bowl. The cream should form a peak. 

  • Soft peaks – it will be creamy and fluffy, and the peak will gently fall over when lifting the beater. Great for dipping fruit or dolloping on desserts
fluffy whipped cream in a mixing bowl
  • Stiff peaks – the mixture will be more stable, and the peaks will not fall over when you lift the beater. Perfect for piping onto desserts and storing overnight
Beaters showing what stiff peaks look like

How to fix whipped cream that has curdled

If you accidentally over-beat the cream mixture, it will separate into butter and buttermilk and will look chunky and curdled. If it’s not too far gone, you can fix whipped cream by gently folding a tablespoon at a time of cream into the mixture until it looks smooth again.

How to fix overwhipped whip cream

How to Use Homemade Whipped Cream

This homemade whipped cream takes your dessert to a whole new level. It can be used as a 1:1 substitute for Cool Whip or as a fruit dip. Here are some of our favorite recipes:

Homemade dessert topping piped on top of a cupcake

Storing Whipped Cream

It’s best to use homemade whipped cream right away, but if you beat it to stiff peaks, it keeps in the fridge and freezer as well.

  • To Refrigerate: Immediately pack in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 2-3 days
  • Freezing: Pipe or dollop whipped cream on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Flash freeze for an hour or two in the freezer and then transfer to an airtight container for 3 months. Use frozen to top hot chocolate.
  • To Thaw: It may not look as fresh after freezing, but you can thaw it in the fridge to use as a topping for ice cream.
Mixing bowl with homemade whipped cream on a wooden counter

Making this Homemade whipped cream recipe will truly change how you serve dessert, treats, and even breakfast. You’ll love this creamy, delicious topping. Once you try it, you won’t go back to store-bought!

Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe

5 from 2 votes
Homemade whipped cream piped into a dish
This Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe uses just 3 ingredients to make the best homemade whipped topping in minutes. My method will ensure your whipped cream is light, fluffy, and more stable so it holds its shape for longer. You can use this as a substitute for storebought whipped topping. This recipe makes 2 cups of whipped cream.
Prep Time: 2 minutes
Total Time: 2 minutes

Ingredients 

Servings: 8 servings
  • 1 cup heavy whipping cream, cold
  • 2-4 Tbsp powdered sugar or granulated sugar*, adjust to taste
  • 1/2-1 tsp vanilla extract, adjust to taste

Instructions

  • Combine Ingredients – Into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer, add the cold heavy whipping cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla.
  • Whip the Cream – Beat with an electric mixer or whisk attachment. Start on medium speed. As soon as the mixture starts to thicken, increase to medium-high speed. Beat until you have reached your desired consistency, making sure not to over-mix, or it will separate and turn buttery.*
  • For Soft Peaks – the cream should look soft and fluffy, and when you lift up the whisk, a gentle curved peak should form. This consistency is perfect for dipping fruit or topping desserts.
  • For Stiff Peaks – beat whipped cream until you see peaks that are firm and hold their shape. This will be a more stable whipped cream that is perfect for piping onto desserts or storing overnight.
  • Serve the whipped cream right away, or cover and refrigerate.*

Notes

*How to fix whipped cream that has curdled (over-whipped) – sometimes if it’s not too separated and far gone, you can save it by adding 1-2 Tbsp of cream at a time and fold gently with a spatula until smooth again.
*Storage: Whipped cream stores better when beaten to stiff peaks. Store in an airtight container in the fridge for 2 to 3 days.
*Stabilized Whipped Cream: For a more stiff whipped cream, add up to 1/2 tsp of cream of tartar to the ingredients.
*Granulated sugar can feel grainy when making larger batches of whipped cream. Powdered sugar contains cornstarch which also helps stabilize the cream. 

Nutrition Per Serving

110kcal Calories3g Carbs1g Protein11g Fat7g Saturated Fat0.5g Polyunsaturated Fat3g Monounsaturated Fat34mg Cholesterol8mg Sodium29mg Potassium3g Sugar437IU Vitamin A0.2mg Vitamin C20mg Calcium0.03mg Iron
Nutrition Facts
Homemade Whipped Cream Recipe
Amount per Serving
Calories
110
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
 
7
g
44
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
0.5
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Cholesterol
 
34
mg
11
%
Sodium
 
8
mg
0
%
Potassium
 
29
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
3
g
1
%
Sugar
 
3
g
3
%
Protein
 
1
g
2
%
Vitamin A
 
437
IU
9
%
Vitamin C
 
0.2
mg
0
%
Calcium
 
20
mg
2
%
Iron
 
0.03
mg
0
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: homemade whipped cream, whipped cream, whipped cream recipe
Skill Level: Easy
Cost to Make: $
Calories: 110
Natasha's Kitchen Cookbook

More Baking Basics

Once you master this Whipped Cream Recipe, check out these tutorials to step up your baking skills!

5 from 2 votes

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Recipe Rating




Comments

  • Tammy Kaylor
    January 26, 2025

    Sooo simple and sooo delicious! Always looking for deserts for my grandson and this one is a winner. He loves strawberries so I gave him a few and a bowl of this and poof…he is a happy little camper. I never knew this could be so easy.

    Reply

    • Natasha
      January 27, 2025

      Hi Tammy, thank you for the great review! I think that is one of the best ways to get kids to eat more strawberries! My daughter is the same way.

      Reply

  • Shweta
    January 25, 2025

    This is the best whip cream I’ve made, it’s so easy and I put it in my coffee and then just ended up eating it with a spoon lol. Ya I’m never buying store bought again, didn’t realize it was that easy!

    Reply

    • Natasha
      January 25, 2025

      I’m so happy you loved the whipped cream. It really is one of the easiest homemade swaps. Thanks for the great review!

      Reply

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