Stabilized Whipped Cream (Cool Whip Substitute)

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This stabilized whipped cream recipe is easy, creamy and just 3 ingredients to a healthy cool whip recipe and no gelatin! You can even use stabilized whipped cream frosting for cake decorating! Plus 12 Whipped Cream Variations for fun and fancy whipping cream.

I love taking popular recipes, tweaking and twisting them into a healthier version of the original recipe. This copycat Cool Whip recipe fits the bill. 

Speaking of copycat recipes, try my Panera Orange Scones, Copycat Pumpkin Noosa, Mimi’s Honey Bran Muffins and this White Chocolate Raspberry Bundt Cake.

Why You Will Love this Easy Homemade Cool Whip Recipe!

• Homemade Cool Whip is tastier and healthier than store bought.
• 3 Ingredients! Nothing nasty, all-natural!
• No Gelatin | Many stabilized whipped cream recipes use unflavored gelatin, corn starch or even a small amount of pudding mix to help stabilize the whipped cream. My method uses all natural ingredients, whipped until extra stiff peaks form, then chilling.

Simple Ingredients

Ingredients are easily found at the local grocery store, with easy instructions in the recipe card below.

• Heavy Whipping Cream | Use the good stuff, pure cream; I used organic whipping cream, make sure it’s really cold cream with a minimum 30% fat content, preferably higher.
• Powdered Sugar | Also called confectioners’ sugar, icing sugar, you could also use a sugar-free powdered sugar replacement for Keto Cool Whip or Low Carb Whipped Cream!
• Vanilla Extract | Use good vanilla, like my favorite Rodelle or make your own!

What’s the difference between heavy cream and whipping cream

Heavy cream is the richest type of liquid cream with a fat content of at least 36%, while whipping cream contains between 30% and 36% fat. You can however; use them interchangeably in recipes, but for whipping, it’s best to use whipping cream.

In general, the more fat in the cream, the more stable it will be for whipping and for sauce making. The final difference is that heavy cream has 5 more calories per tablespoon than whipping cream, and it costs 5 to 10 cents more per pint. (Source)

How to Make Stabilize Whipped Cream (How to Make Cool Whip)

Chill mixing bowl in freezer for 15 minutes prior to whipping and make sure your whipping cream is really cold!

Pour heavy whipping cream into a clean and chilled mixing bowl or bowl of stand mixer with a whisk attachment. 

Beat cream on medium-high speed until soft peaks form. Then reduce the speed to low and add the powdered sugar and vanilla extract. 

Increase the speed (covering again to prevent splatters) to high and whip until stiff peaks form. You want it really thick, but not so thick that it turns into butter, keep an eye on it at this point.

Place in fridge until ready to use, covered if not using within 15 minutes. The whipped cream will pipe and spread a bit better if it rests in the fridge for a few minutes.

Make your own Heavy Whipping Cream

Opened the fridge only to find out your whipping cream is bad? Or you thought you had some and you don’t? Try this substitute!

Substitute for 1 cup (237 ml) of heavy cream

• Mix 7/8 cup (232 grams) of half-and-half with
• 1/8 cup (29 grams) of melted butter.
• No substitutions here, if you want it to whip up, you need to use higher fat contents. (Source)

12 Whipped Cream Variations

1. Chocolate Whipping Cream or Cool Whip | When you add the powdered sugar, add ¼ cup of cocoa powder along with the vanilla extract. 
2. Coffee Whipped Cream | Add 2 teaspoons of espresso powder to the mixture. 
3. Strawberry Whipped Cream | 2-4 tablespoons of strawberries pureed in a blender (fresh or frozen). Or try a couple tablespoons of your favorite jam. 
4. Bailey’s Irish Cream Whipped Cream | Add 2-4 ounces of Irish Cream Liqueur to whipped cream mixture along with other ingredients, to taste. 
5. Lemon or Lime Whipped Cream | Zest from one medium lemon or lime (or both) to the mixture
6. Peanut Butter Whipped Cream | Add 2-4 tablespoons of creamy peanut butter, you could also use Almond butter or try Cookie Butter!
7. Kahlua Whipped Cream | Add 2-4 ounces Kahlua liqueur and mix with other ingredients.
8. Cinnamon Whipped Cream | Add 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon to the whipped cream. 
9. Toffee Whipped Cream | Crush 2 Heath bars and fold in after whipped cream is all whipped.
10. Maple Whipped Cream | Add ¾ teaspoon maple extract or 1-2 tablespoons of pure maple syrup.
11. Lavender Whipped Cream | In a small pot heat heavy whipping cream until just simmering. Remove from heat and add 1 ½ teaspoons culinary lavender let steep for 25 minutes. Strain and chill for a minimum of 6-8 hours, then whip as directed.
12. Peppermint Whipped Cream | Add 1 teaspoon peppermint extract at the end of the whipping process. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Storage

Stiffly whipped whipped cream will last covered in the refrigerator up to 3 days, this stable whipped cream might last a day or two longer in refrigerators that keep foods colder. 

Can you freeze whipped cream? Yes, you sure can, this is a great way to use leftover whipped cream. 

If you are planning on using it for a recipe, I would not recommend freezing it, just make fresh whipped cream.

However if you are looking to use up leftover whipped cream, then line a tray with parchment or silpat and spoon or pipe dollops of whipped cream onto the tray. Freeze for one hour, then peel and store in an airtight container. 

Frozen whipped cream is great to use on hot drinks like hot chocolate, coffee, white hot chocolate, or this Hot Buttered Rum or even on top of a warm piece of pie or cake.

Ways to Use your Stabilized Whipped Cream

Any dessert that calls for Cool Whip or whipped topping can be substituted with this stabilized whipped cream. Use it on any dessert recipe, from pies, chocolate cake, crisps — any time you need a healthy substitute for Cool Whip. 

• Oreo Dessert Pudding (Oreo Pudding Pie Recipe)
• The Best Key Lime Pie
• Easy Chocolate Shortcake
• Old-Fashioned Strawberry Shortcake
• Lemon Cream Cheese Pie (Lemon Icebox Pie Recipe with Condensed milk)
• Easy Chocolate Loaf Cake
• Pumpkin Pie Dump Cake
• Easy Old Fashioned Apple Crisp {Gluten-Free Option}

Use stabilized whipped cream frosting for cake decorating!

This is really a fun way to frost an Ice Cream Cake too! If you try stabilized whipped cream frosting for cake decorating, let me know! The possibilities are endless! Let me know how you use it by commenting below!

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