What Is Whipped Cream?
Whipped cream is made when cream – with enough fat content – is whipped into an edible foam. Heavy whipping cream, which contains at least 36% milk fat, is most commonly used to make whipped cream. It can be used to garnish desserts or to accompany fruits such as fresh berries. Because cream is bland when whipped on its own, it is sweetened with a touch of sugar. The benefit of making your own whipped cream is that you can control how much sugar is added.
Why Do People Love Eating Whipped Cream?
Topping food and beverages with whipped cream creates products that are delicious and enjoyable. Whipped cream enhances foods and beverages such as fruit, granola, whole grain waffles and pancakes, and hot chocolate. One tablespoon of heavy whipping cream – which yields approximately two tablespoons of whipped cream – contains about 50 calories, 5 grams of fat, less than one gram of carbohydrate, negligible protein and a small amount of vitamin A.
Health tip: Because it contains a hefty dose of calories and fat, it is best to enjoy in small portions (like a 2 tablespoon serving).
How is Whipped Cream made?
Whipped cream is created by a chemical reaction where millions of tiny air bubbles interact with fat particles known as globules, partially breaking them down. Eventually the fat reconnects with other tiny fat particles, forming a stable foam. If the process continues, eventually the fat will continue to reconnect in a solid form known as butter.
Glossary:
Fat: Fat in food belongs to a group of substances called lipids, and includes both animal and plant sources. The fat found in milk is known as cream and is also used to make butter. Fat is also an essential nutrient that we need to help our brains develop, keep our cells healthy and provide a source of stored energy on our body.
Foam: A substance formed by trapping gas bubbles in a liquid. Foams are classified as a colloid, which is a mixture made of very small particles of one substance distributed evenly throughout another substance.
Heavy Cream: A liquid dairy product commonly made up of approximately 36% fat with the remaining volume coming primarily from water.
Homogenization: A mechanical process that breaks fat globules into smaller droplets so that they stay suspended evenly in milk rather than separating out and floating to the top.
Whipped Cream: Edible foam created by introducing air into heavy cream. This is done by rapidly beating the cream, breaking up the fat particles and introducing millions of tiny air bubbles.
How To Make Your Own Whipped Cream
Ingredients:
½ cup heavy whipping cream
2 tablespoons granulated sugar
Equipment:
Medium bowl – best if chilled
Whisk – best if chilled
Measuring spoons and cups
Serving Spoon
Small bowls and spoons for tasting
Directions:
1. All ingredients, bowl and whisk should be kept chilled up until the time of preparation. Chill
finished product in bowl after the project is complete.
2. In a medium bowl, combine the whipping cream and granulated sugar.
3. Using a whisk or handheld mixer, whip a few minutes or until soft peaks form.
4. Use whipped cream immediately or cover and store in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Yield: 1 cup
Variation: To make Vanilla Whipped Cream, add 1 teaspoon vanilla extract to the cream. This is sometimes also known as Chantilly cream or crème Chantilly.
Add toppings to your taste: Granola, berries, peach or nectarine slices, banana slices, graham crackers, etc.
Exciting Ways To Use Whipped Cream
1. Waffles, Pancakes or French Toast: Enjoy a whole wheat waffle or slice of French toast topped with a dollop of whipped cream and sliced peaches.
2. Strawberries: Dip fresh strawberries in whipped cream and enjoy as dessert or snack.
3. Ice cream: Top your ice cream with a dollop of whipped cream and sprinkle with pecans.
4. Frozen Banana Sandwich: Spread 2 tablespoons of whipped cream and 3 slices of banana between two square graham crackers. Freeze for at least an hour and enjoy!
5. Fruit Compote: Top fruit compote with a dollop of whipped cream.
6. Beverages:
- Warm up on a chilly day with hot chocolate made with warmed low fat chocolate milk topped with a tablespoon of whipped cream.
- Experiment with topping apple cider with a small dollop of whipped cream.
- Try topping cold drinks such as chocolate or strawberry milk with a touch of whipped cream.