Quick and Easy Homemade Whipped Cream with 3 Ingredients

Homemade whipped cream is luxuriously rich and creamy and easy to make. Its familiar light and airy texture contains real whole food ingredients and whips up in just a few minutes. Perfect for homemade desserts and jello salads, this old-fashioned topping is healthier and more decadent than store-bought alternatives.

It’s no secret that here in Wisconsin and the greater Midwest, a jello “salad” or dessert made with a whipped topping graces picnic tables and pot-lucks all year round. Thumb through a church cookbook and you’ll quickly realize for decades now that many women have taken great pride in their own personal “salad” recipes.

I use quotations because obviously a healthy lettuce salad doesn’t use a whipped topping. The most recognizable brand of whipped topping in the plastic blue tub, better known as Cool Whip, was invented by William A. Mitchell, a food chemist at General Foods Corporation in the late 1960’s. It was marketed as more convenient for housewives in the kitchen than simply making the real thing yourself.

Based on a closer look at Cool Whip’s label, I’ll make the case that God should be the only chemist when it comes to the food we eat. As for this whipped topping, ironically the United States FDA also agrees based on labeling laws. Most people consider Cool Whip as whipped cream because marketing has conditioned us to think that. The label legal has to state that it’s a whipped topping and not whipped cream.

However, Cool Whip and its off brand counterparts does not contain any real cream whatsoever. That’s because it’s marketed as a non-dairy product that is more shelf stable than real whipped cream. Meaning it lasts longer and is cheaper to produce than the real thing.

But that’s why I love homemade whipped cream so much and I think you will too. It’s real food especially if you can get your hands on raw milk. When I need cream for something, I scoop it off the top of the jar and save it in another little jar for later. It whips into the most irresistibly delicious topping for all your homemade baked goodies. Believe me, it won’t last long once your family gets their hands on it!

Why You Should Avoid Store-Bought Cool Whip

Let’s briefly talk about the ingredients in store-bought Cool Whip or off brand alternatives and why you should avoid them. Remember, Cool Whip does not contain any real dairy cream.

Ingredients in Cool Whip

Water

First of all, common sense logic tells us that real cream is a full-fat item and water and fat do not mix. Right there is a good indicator that there’s no real cream in Cool Whip. Plus, you’re paying for water (which is technically free unless you buy bottled) and mostly air since these synthetic chemicals are aerated to mimic real homemade whipped cream.

Corn Syrup and High-Fructose Corn Syrup

What’s the difference between the two? Basically, HFCS is a further processed derivative of corn syrup. Both come from, you guessed it…corn!

To make corn syrup, the corn kernels are heated with water to break it down into it’s starch components and then through the process of hydrolysis, added enzymes further break it down and the mixture boils until enough water evaporates for a thick, syrupy consistency.

For high fructose corn syrup, further processing needs heat, enzymes and chemicals. This product is only available to industrial food manufacturers. Read more about the process here from the United States Food and Drug Administration.

Hydrogenated Vegetable Oil

Its nice tricky wording sounds good, but there’s no vegetables in vegetable oil. Instead, it’s a highly processed oil that’s been in the American diet since 1900. This short article from the National Institute of Health along with several other links, indicate that hydrogenated oils negatively impact human health. Cholesterol levels, body inflammation especially the cardiovascular system, blood sugar levels, metabolic issues, etc. are all negative side effects from consumption of this dangerous product.

For a more in-depth approach to this unnatural ingredient, read this excellent article by the Weston A. Price Foundation. I’ll stop there for now, but just know that the rest of the ingredients are as harmful as these first three. Oh, and to add insult to injury, Cool Whip comes in plastic, another toxic product that food should not touch.

Why Corn and All Corn Products Should be Avoided in the Human Diet

Let’s go back to the issue of corn syrup for a moment. First, both derive from commercially grown corn in mono-cropped fields all across America. That’s the first problem. This corn is genetically modified in a lab, meaning its original God-given DNA is altered into who knows what??? How does this affect human DNA?

One reason field corn is genetically altered is so that it can withstand a multitude of -cides like pesticides, herbicides, and insecticides. Roundup is the most commonly known herbicide with the main ingredient being glyphosate. Read more about the dangers of this ingredient from the United States National Institute of Health here.

In other words, the poison sprayed kills all plant life around it except the corn itself. Again, logic says that all this poison stays on the corn, which is harvested for animal and human consumption. Hmmmm…that doesn’t sound like a good idea for human health.

Avoid corn an all corn products in the human diet, despite the propaganda for its consumption. Also, Europe bans it as well as many other countries.

This is why I’m super passionate about teaching people to eat from real whole food ingredients. Remember, if God isn’t the chemist, you shouldn’t eat it!

Why You’ll Love Homemade Whipped Cream

No synthetic ingredients – Homemade whipped cream has three simple ingredients and no harmful chemical additives. Based on what you read above, I hope that motivates you to treat your family and friends to this old-fashioned topping for homemade desserts.

Amazing taste – Full fat heavy cream mingles together with honey or maple syrup and vanilla for a delicious whipped dollop on top of homemade pie or ice cream sundae’s. A little goes a long way when it’s the real thing!

Quick and easy – Homemade whipped cream is one of the easiest and fastest condiments anyone makes at home. Pour ingredients in the bowl and turn the mixer on. It’s quickest made in a mixer, but it whips up by hand with a good old-fashioned whisk too. It’s a fabulous workout for biceps, triceps and shoulders.

Helpful Hints for the Best Homemade Whipped Cream

• Adjust the amount of honey or maple syrup used to your personal preference. The final outcome will still be the same.

• Start with a cold bowl and mixing tool to make the process even quicker. Place the bowl and tool in the refrigerator for 20 minutes before whipping.

• For the best results, use heavy, full fat cream. The high fat content traps air better when whipped so it holds the stiff consistency. For a non-dairy alternative, place a can of full-fat coconut milk in the fridge overnight, scoop off the fat and whip it the same as heavy cream.

• Watch the whipping action closely. Once the cream reaches stiff peaks, stop and scoop into a dish for serving. If the cream whips beyond the stiff peak stage, it turns to butter.

• When using raw milk cream, pasteurize it first to prolong its shelf life in the fridge. Skip this step if consumed right away.

How to Make Homemade Whipped Cream

What You’ll Need

Heavy cream – Regular store bought or raw milk cream works best for the most authentic whipped cream. I recommend Organic Valley Heavy Whipping Cream, available at all major and local retailers.

Honey or maple syrup – Locally sourced is the healthiest choice.

Vanilla extract or paste

Stand or hand mixer, old-fashioned hand crank beater or whisk

Step-by-Step Instructions

FAQ’s

More Summertime Recipes From Becky’s Kitchen

The Best Americana Mixed Berry Pie | Cheers to 250!

How to Make No-Churn Homemade Vanilla Ice Cream

Easy Fermented Strawberries with Honey | 3 Methods to Preserve

How To Make Pickled Rhubarb

Simple and Refreshing Watermelon Soup with Chamomile-Infusion

I hope I’ve inspired you to try homemade whipped cream this summer! If you love it as much as I do, come on back and leave the recipe a 5-star review. Tag me with your photos on Instagram @beckybuttlesamericana

Thanks for stopping by my blog! –Becky