Stabilized Whipped Cream - The Recipe Critic (2024)

Jump to Recipe

This website may contain affiliate links and advertising so that we can provide recipes to you. Read my disclosure policy.

Stabilized whipped cream is fluffy and sturdy enough to keep its shape! Thicker than regular whipped cream, it’s perfect for piping and frosting desserts. It’s better than Cool Whip!

A lot of delicious recipes use Cool Whip and this stabilized whipped cream is the BEST replacement to use in its place. Try using it in this cheesecake salad or my strawberry pretzel salad. Or simply dollop it on top of these cute mini cheesecakes!

Stabilized Whipped Cream - The Recipe Critic (1)

What is Stabilized Whipped Cream?

There’s regular fluffy whipped cream, and then there’s stabilized whipped cream. Thick and sturdy cream that holds its shape, but is still fluffy and light in texture. The magic of stabilized whipped cream is in the ingredients. Some recipes use gelatin or cornstarch to stabilize the whipped cream, but my recipe calls for instant pudding powder. Even better, vanilla-flavored pudding powder for added sweetness and taste. The pudding powder is the perfect ingredient for achieving stabilized whipped cream!

Needing a thicker whipped cream to keep its shape? This cream is perfect for desserts! Use stabilized whipped cream in this layered dessert, pipe it on this no-bake pie, or make a big batch for all those delicious Thanksgiving pies.

Ingredients Needed

This stabilized whipped cream recipe doesn’t get any easier than 3 simple ingredients. It’s easy to whip up and make any time you need whipped cream for a dessert. This cream will also last for days!

  • Heavy Whipping Cream: Chilled heavy whipping cream creates the best results!
  • Instant Vanilla Pudding Powder: The secret stabilizing ingredient to thicken the cream and hold its shape. The secret stabilizing ingredient thickens the cream and holds its shape. Make sure to use the INSTANT dry pudding powder. Cook-and-serve pudding will NOT work.
  • Powdered Sugar: Adds sweetness to the cream.

How to Stabilize Whipped Cream?

Stabilized whipped cream is all about the ingredients you use. The instant pudding powder in my recipe helps set up the whipped cream. This makes it thick and holds its shape. All you need to do is whip the ingredients together until soft peaks form. Super easy!

  1. Combine the Cream, Pudding Powder, and Powdered Sugar: Add the cream, pudding powder, and powdered sugar (if you want it sweeter) to a large mixing bowl.
  2. Mix Until Peaks Form: Use a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or a hand mixer to beat it on high speed until medium-soft peaks form.
  3. Frost or Pipe: Use to top cakes, cupcakes, pies, and other various desserts.
Stabilized Whipped Cream - The Recipe Critic (2)

Tips For Making Stabilized Whipped Cream

Stabilized whipped cream is easy to make at home. Follow my tips and tricks below to have the best success! You’ll never buy store-bought whipped cream again because this truly is the BEST!

  • Switch Up the Flavors: For alternate flavors of whipped cream, try using white chocolate pudding, chocolate pudding, or any other kind of instant pudding powder!Or add a splash of vanilla extract for added vanilla flavor.
  • Sweetness: The pudding powder will add a little sweetness, but if you like a very sweet whipped cream don’t skip the powdered sugar.
  • Don’t Overwhip: Don’t overwhip the cream! It should form soft, Dairy Queen-like peaks if you lift the whisk from the bowl and flip it over. It should not stand up straight because that means it has been over-whipped.
  • Cold Helps: To help the cream whip faster, place the bowl and whisk or beaters in the freezer for an hour before making it. Be sure to use chilled cream. The cold bowl and whisk will help whip the chilled cream much faster than warm or room temperature!
  • How to Avoid Splatters: Avoid getting cream splatters by placing a clean kitchen towel over the bowl and mixer. This will act as a shield. Be sure the towel stays clear of the beaters or whisk as you beat the cream.
Stabilized Whipped Cream - The Recipe Critic (3)

Storing Leftovers

Make a big batch of stabilized whipped cream to use on desserts. It is best to spread or pipe on desserts right away, but it can be made in advance because it keeps its shape.

  • In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. You can also pipe or top your dessert with the stabilized whipped cream and keep it in the fridge for 3 days.
  • In the Freezer: Whipped cream, especially stabilized whipped cream, holds up in the freezer quite well. Freeze in an airtight container for up to 4 months. You can also pipe it into individual dollops on a sheet of parchment paper. Once frozen, store in the freezer in an airtight container.
  • To Thaw: Thaw it overnight in the fridge and use it as you would a store-bought whipped topping. For the pre-piped whipped cream, freeze for at least 3 hours before transferring the dollops into a plastic bag. Remove as needed and place right on top of cakes, cheesecake, cupcakes, pie, or it into hot chocolate.
Stabilized Whipped Cream - The Recipe Critic (4)

Top These Delicious Desserts With Cream

Whipped cream makes every dessert taste better! It always takes them over the top and adds the perfect finishing touch. Add stabilized whipped cream to some of our favorite desserts. It’s like a whipped cream frosting! Enjoy on drinks, cakes, cobblers, and of course cheesecakes. You’re going to LOVE these recipes!

Desserts

Pumpkin Dump Cake

1 hr 10 mins

Shakes

Strawberry Milkshake

5 mins

Desserts

Slow Cooker Peach Cobbler

2 hrs 10 mins

Pin this now to find it later

Pin It

Stabilized Whipped Cream - The Recipe Critic (9)

Save

PinPrint

Stabilized Whipped Cream

5 from 3 votes

By: Alyssa Rivers

Stabilized whipped cream is fluffy and sturdy enough to keep its shape! Thicker than regular whipped cream, it's perfect for piping and frosting desserts. It's way better than Cool Whip!

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 2 cups whipped cream

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Add the cream, pudding powder, and powdered sugar (if you want it sweeter) to a large bowl.

  • Use a stand mixer fitted with the whisk attachment or a hand mixer to beat it on high speed until medium-soft peaks form.

  • Use to top cakes, cupcakes, pies, and other various desserts.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cupCalories: 489kcalCarbohydrates: 24gProtein: 3gFat: 43gSaturated Fat: 27gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 11gCholesterol: 134mgSodium: 666mgPotassium: 113mgSugar: 11gVitamin A: 1749IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 79mgIron: 0.1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

More Ideas

Desserts

Frosted Carrot Cake Cookies

25 mins

Desserts

Guinness Chocolate Cake

4 hrs

Desserts

Donut Cake

1 hr 10 mins

Stabilized Whipped Cream - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What is the best way to stabilize whipped cream? ›

All you need is a small amount of unflavored, powdered gelatin and a few extra seconds of time. Once stabilized, you will be able to pipe this yummy topping on top of cupcakes, frost a cake, or just keep the whipped cream stiff as you transport it from one place to another.

What are the benefits of stabilized whipped cream? ›

The main benefits of stabilizing whipped cream are to make it last longer and to prevent it from deflating and weeping. By its very nature, whipped cream is a pretty unstable thing: It's mostly air that is held together by a network of fat molecules from the cream.

How much cornstarch to stabilize whipped cream? ›

The easiest way to stabilize whipped cream is to add a tablespoon of cornstarch for every cup of cream. Whip the cream to soft peaks before adding the cornstarch. Beat until the peaks are somewhat firmer.

How do you stabilize whipped cream in America's Test Kitchen? ›

The best of the bunch proved to be gelatin, which we first heated in a bit of water to liquefy it and ensure even distribution in the cold cream. It kept liquid from weeping for a full day, contributed no additional flavors, and didn't noticeably change the texture of the whipped cream.

How much cream of tartar to stabilize whipped cream? ›

Cream of Tartar: Cream of tartar is not 100% necessary for homemade whipped cream. However, it does help to keep it stabilized. A stabilized whipped cream keeps its shape and is excellent for topping pies, cheesecakes, and more. Just a ½ teaspoon per cup of heavy cream is all you need.

How long can stabilized whipped cream sit out? ›

Since this recipe contains fresh dairy, the whipped cream shouldn't sit out for more than 2 hours. It will stay fluffy and hold its shape the whole time, but after 2 hours it must be refrigerated for food safety reasons.

Why is my stabilized whipped cream lumpy? ›

If you've over-beaten the whipped cream to the point where it's not smooth and has a grainy texture, add a tablespoon or so of cold heavy whipping cream. Whisk by hand until it softens to the consistency you'd like.

What factors affect the stability of whipped cream? ›

It was pointed out that fat globules and their aggregations contribute to the stability of bubbles in a whipped cream and that controlling these factors is im- portant to the production of good whipped creams. It is known empirically that these factors can be controlled by altering the whipping conditions.

What are the cons of whip cream? ›

Benefits and downsides. Heavy whipping cream is full of health-promoting vitamins and minerals. However, it's very high in calories and may contribute to weight gain if consumed in large amounts.

Does icing sugar stabilize whipped cream? ›

That's because confectioners' sugar typically contains a bit of cornstarch, which adds stability to the whipped cream. Simply add 1 tablespoon confectioners' sugar to 1 cup whipping cream before whipping.

What happens when you add cornstarch to whipped cream? ›

Cornstarch is an easy way to thicken and stabilize whipped cream. To one cup of heavy cream, add 1 teaspoon cornstarch3 mixed with the sugar. The cornstarch can leave a slightly gritty texture to the whipped cream and a bit of a starchy taste. Confectioners or powdered sugar.

Why do you put cornstarch in whipped cream? ›

Whipped cream tends to water out slightly after beating so to keep this from happening I use a small amount cornstarch which does not affect the texture.It will not hold up well at room temperature but in the refrigerator will stay well on the cake for 24 hours!

Can you use Jello to stabilize whipped cream? ›

Stabilized whipped cream with Instant Clearjel is incredibly easy--just whip the heavy cream and pure vanilla (I highly recommend using pure over imitation vanilla) until stiff peaks form.

Will xanthan gum thicken whipped cream? ›

Xanthan gum adds thickness and stability to the cream and also acts as an emulsifier. If you do not have it you can leave it out or use guar gum in the same amount.

Can I use xanthan gum to stabilize whipped cream? ›

Stabilized Whipped Cream (No Gelatin!)

Learn to make a delicious, creamy, and perfectly sweet stabilized whipped cream with just a bit of xanthan gum. It is perfect to use as you would any whipped cream, as a frosting for cake, or even as a filling for cupcakes or homemade pastries.

Why won't my whipped cream stiffen? ›

Make sure your whipping cream is fresh and as cold as possible in liquid state. I suggest you freeze your bowl for an hour or so. You can also use add some ice and salt in a big bowl and then whip the cream in a smaller bowl on top of the big bowl, this cools down the whipping cream and prevents it from melting.

How do you keep whipped cream from curdling? ›

Follow the below tips to avoid curdling of cream:
  1. Always use cream which is at room temperature.
  2. Beat the cream before adding it to any dish.
  3. Bring the flame to lowest possible when adding cream.
  4. Add cream with one hand and keep stirring the dish.
Jul 9, 2019

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Last Updated:

Views: 6158

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (49 voted)

Reviews: 88% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Lakeisha Bayer VM

Birthday: 1997-10-17

Address: Suite 835 34136 Adrian Mountains, Floydton, UT 81036

Phone: +3571527672278

Job: Manufacturing Agent

Hobby: Skimboarding, Photography, Roller skating, Knife making, Paintball, Embroidery, Gunsmithing

Introduction: My name is Lakeisha Bayer VM, I am a brainy, kind, enchanting, healthy, lovely, clean, witty person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.