A Dessert’s Best Friend: Homemade Whipped Cream
March 19, 2012
Who doesn’t love dessert? I am a baker and am constantly looking for new ways to take my desserts over-the-top. I have found the key to turning an okay dessert into an exceptionally tasty treat: homemade whipped cream. Adding a dollop of homemade whipped cream to a dessert can make it all the more mouth watering.
Homemade whipped cream is so simple to make and puts CoolWhip to shame. Another plus is it is naturally gluten-free, so if you are on a gluten-free diet you can whip away. Here is my tried and true recipe for a to-die-for homemade whipped cream.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup organic whipping cream (or heavy cream)
- 1/4 cup confectioner’s (powdered) sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Now that you have the ingredients you will need to decide your method of whipping. You can use a stand mixer, hand mixer, or go old school and whip by hand.
Stand Mixer
If you are using a stand mixer you will have nice fluffy whipped cream in a matter of minutes. Simply put your whisk attachment on your mixer and start the machine. Stand mixers will create whipped cream in no time, so you will want to be sure to turn the machine off as soon as the cream starts to peak. If you over-beat the cream it will turn to a butter consistency, which isn’t so nice for pies and cakes.
Hand Mixer
If you are using a hand mixer you will want to be sure to choose a nice deep bowl. The cream will double (or triple) in size, so you want plenty of room. Hold the bowl at a slight angel towards your body and place the whisk about 1/4 inch into the liquid. Start the mixer and beat until cream starts to whip. Hand mixers will create cream in very little time so, like the stand mixer, it is ready as soon as the cream starts to peak.
Old School Arm Power
You may want to go to the gym for a few rounds of lifting weights to get those arm muscles ready for whipping by hand. You will need stamina and commitment to get the job done. It takes quite a bit longer to whip by hand, but if you don’t have a stand mixer or hand mixer, the end product will be well worth the effort (and think about all those calories you burn!)
Start off with a whisk (or fork) and a deep bowl. Hold the bowl at an angel towards your body and place the utensil about 1/4 inch into the liquid. Begin whisking (or beating) in small circular motions dipping down into the mixture and up into the air. The process of whipping happens when air begins to fill the liquid, causing it to fluff up. So, make a point to bring the whisk up into the air in your circular motions.
No matter the method you use for whipping, you will end up with a nice fluffy cream that is perfect for topping your favorite dessert, cookie, or to be used as a yummy fruit dip.
Have you made homemade whipped cream before? If so, what is your tried and true method for the fluffiest and tastiest whipped cream?
