Ask the Experts: Homemade Whipped Cream?

Q: I always buy whipped cream in a tub or can because it's convenient, but I'd really like to make homemade whipped cream. How difficult is it to make?

A: There's something to be said for convenience, but when you see how easy it is to make homemade whipped cream, we bet you'll never go back to the packaged stuff.

Depending on the equipment you already have, choose from these three ways to make whipped cream from scratch.

Bowl and Whisk

If you want to whip cream by had, first you'll need to chill your cream, your bowl and your whisk. Pour the cream in the bowl, add a little granulated sugar and vanilla extract, and start whisking. Actually, before you start whisking, read this article from Cook's Illustrated about proper whisking technique.

This method will take a little arm strength and persistence, but the results are worth it. For one, it's pretty difficult to over-whip cream when you whip it by hand. Over-whipping cream takes it from soft and fluffy to hard and lumpy. Also, it's a good way to whip granulated sugar into your cream; stand mixers push it to the bottom of the bowl.

To keep your bowl and your whisk cold, we recommend metal tools.

Hand Mixer

A hand mixer takes a lot of the work out of making homemade whipped cream, while still giving you control over the process. Proceed as above, except chill your beaters instead of your whisk. On The Pioneer Woman, Joanne recommends mixing on a slow speed the entire time. While this approach will take longer than if you crank the speed way up, it will also help you whip the cream more evenly.

Stand Mixer

Using a stand mixer for whipped cream isn't recommended unless you're making vast quantities of it. First, the wire whisk attachment will not reach the bottom of the bowl, which means the cream will whip somewhat unevenly. Also, a stand mixer won't mix granulated sugar into the cream as well as a whisk or hand mixer, so you should use confectioners sugar instead, which can give whipped cream a gritty texture. If you do use a stand mixer, mix on a slow speed just as you would with a hand mixer.