How-To: Whipped Cream

If reading my blog only changed one thing about your cooking, I would be so happy if it was learning to make real whipped cream instead of using fake "whipped topping." 

I have a few recipes, okay two, that I use fake topping for. Jello Cake and Chocolate Eclair Cake. And I understand that sometimes life is crazy and why add just another thing to your list, like whipping cream. 

But, real whipped cream is oh-so-heavenly and oh-so-easy. It's almost just as easy as opening a tub of whipped topping and dumping it out. You measure 4 ingredients (does salt even count? you only use a pinch) and beat for 3 - 4 minutes. Boom. Done. And the results are incredibly better. Sweet and light. And the ingredients are real. 

So the next time you pull up a recipe for Key Lime Pie or Gingerbread, maybe pull up this one too and just give it a chance? You may never want to go back to "whipped topping" again. 

Whipped Cream

Makes 2 - 3 cups

Total Time: 5 minutes

1 cup heavy cream

1 T. to 1/4 cup sugar (to taste) 

1/4 tsp. vanilla

pinch of salt

Pour heavy cream into a large bowl.

Recipe is easily adjusted if you want more or less whipped cream. You can halve or double it. 

Add sugar, salt and vanilla.

The amount of sugar is to taste. If you prefer a less sweet cream, just add less sugar. 

You can even leave out the sugar completely if you wish, but it won't be sweet.

Using a handheld mixer, beat cream on high speed until it reaches the right consistency.

It will start out quite liquid-y.

Then it will start to thicken and get ripples.

Then it will look billowy. This is what it should look like when it's done.

You want to stop beating when you reach "soft peaks." 

You know you've reached this point when upon tipping the mixer upside down, the whipped cream folds over slightly instead of sticking straight up. 

If you beat too much, your cream will start to look chunky and will start to taste greasy and buttery. 

And of course, you should always lick the beaters. 

Use to top your favorite scones, key lime pie or strawberry shortcake.