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Home » Dessert

Homemade Whipped Cream Topping

Updated: Jul 5, 2025 · Published: Jun 4, 2024 by Chuckie · This post may contain affiliate links · 1 Comment

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Homemade Whipped Cream Topping adds a special touch to any dessert. My version includes a secret ingredient that keeps it fluffy for hours.

Finished lemon pie topped with homemade whipped cream.

Homemade Whipped Cream

I can't tell you how often I have impressed dinner guests with this simple recipe. Whether I'm topping Chocolate Cream Pie, Lemon Icebox Pie, Mini Cherry Pies, or a simple breakfast of Easy Pancakes with Fruit --This Homemade Whipped Cream elevates the results.

I know... you can buy the tubs of whipped topping so easily, but trust me when I tell you heavy whipping cream, a dash of sugar, vanilla and my secret ingredient are all you need to experience the difference it makes.

Heck, make this recipe when you make Strawberry Banana Pudding for the kids (or kids at heart) and you will be the hero of the day.

spreading homemade whipped cream onto a lemon pie.

Ingredients for Homemade Whipped Cream Topping

I've made whipped cream for years, but adding in a little instant pudding mix is a game-changer. I love the texture and stability this brings to the whipped cream.

Ingredients for homemade whipped cream.
  • Heavy Whipping Cream - make sure you buy the carton that says heavy whipping cream -- NOT half and half or fat-free
  • Vanilla -- liquid, paste, or (if you're feeling fancy) vanilla beans work just fine
  • Sugar -- powdered sugar works best, but I have used granulated sugar many times in a pinch
  • Instant Pudding -- the pudding mix just barely thickens the cream while absorbing excess moisture. This extends the life of your fluffy whipped cream.
  • Kosher Salt -- just a pinch to round out the flavors

See recipe card for quantities.

How to Make Homemade Whipped Cream Topping

  1. Using the whisk attachment on your mixer, beat the heavy whipping cream, vanilla, sugar, instant pudding, and salt on medium speed until stiff peaks form.
  2. When lifting the beaters out of the whipped cream the ends of the whipped cream should not curl over, but instead stand straight up. There should also be a well that will hold in your bowl when it's whipped enough. But I caution you, over whipped cream turns into butter.
  3. Serve immediately over your pie or dessert or place in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Hint: Keeping all of the ingredients and mixer bowl cold prior to mixing will help your whipped cream form better.

Mixing all of the ingredients for homemade whipped cream.
Whisking homemade whipped cream until stiff peaks.
I am showing stiff peaks for homemade whipped cream.

Substitutions & Variations

Pudding Flavors - Vanilla pudding is what I typically use, but mix up the flavors if you want flavored whipped cream such as chocolate whipped cream, lemon whipped cream, caramel whipped cream, etc.

Storing Homemade Whipped Cream Topping

Store whipped cream for up to 3 days. The texture is best if used within 24 hours.

Top tip

Do NOT overmix your whipped cream. It's better to err on the side of softer peaks then to create butter. Ideally, your whipped cream should stand on its own when pulling the beaters up while leaving a "well" in your whipped cream that will hold.

FAQ

What's the secret to whipped cream?

Cold bowl, cold cream, and add the instant pudding mix. Cold fat helps to trap the air bubbles in the cream. If it gets warm the fat molecules melt instead.

Is it better to whip cream on medium or high?

I suggest whipping cream on medium. It takes a little longer, but you don't miss the stiff peaks stage as you can more easily keep an eye on it.

How much whipped cream does 1 cup of heavy whipping cream make?

About 2 cups. So if you like lots of whipped cream, feel free to double the recipe.

What does powdered sugar do to whipped cream?

The obvious answer is, it sweetens the whipped cream. However, the corn starch in powdered sugar also helps to stabilize the whipped cream.

Related

Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

  • Topping the pumpkin dip with brown sugar and chopped pecans.
    Pumpkin Dip Recipe
  • Ready-to-eat Apple and Cherry Crumble.
    Apple and Cherry Crumble
  • slicing the cake and serving it on a white plate.
    Pumpkin Cheesecake Swirl Cake
  • Cutting a slice of the golden brown peach praline pie.
    Peach Praline Pie

Pairing

These are my favorite dishes to serve with this recipe:

  • serving the brats with a bed of potatoes.
    Air Fryer Brats
  • Juicy shredded beef in a white bowl.
    Instant Pot Shredded Beef
  • serving the pizza with Parmesan dusted on top.
    Air Fryer French Bread Pizza
  • topping the peas with onions and hot sauce.
    Purple Hull Peas

HAVE A QUESTION? ❤️

Leave a comment and I'll do my best to answer you!

And, if you made this recipe, please let me know how you liked it by leaving a comment and/or giving a rating!

And of course, if you do make this recipe, tag @laughingroostereats on Instagram and hashtag it #laughingroostereats! Seeing your photos is our favorite thing!

Eating lemon pie that is topped with whipped cream on a grey plate.

Food Safety

  • Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
  • Wash hands after touching raw meat
  • Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
  • Never leave cooking food unattended

See more guidelines at USDA.gov.

Finished lemon pie topped with homemade whipped cream.

Homemade Whipped Cream Topping

5 from 1 vote
Homemade Whipped Cream Topping adds a special touch to any dessert. My version includes a secret ingredient that keeps it fluffy for hours.
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 5 minutes mins
Total Time 5 minutes mins
Servings: 8
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Calories: 110
Ingredients Method Nutrition

Ingredients
  

  • 1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream
  • ¼ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
  • 2 teaspoons Powdered Sugar
  • 1 Tablespoon Instant Pudding
  • ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt

Method
 

  1. Using the whisk attachment on your mixer, beat the heavy whipping cream, vanilla, sugar, instant pudding, and salt on medium speed until stiff peaks form.
    1 cup Heavy Whipping Cream, ¼ teaspoon Vanilla Extract, 2 teaspoons Powdered Sugar, 1 Tablespoon Instant Pudding, ¼ teaspoon Kosher Salt
  2. When lifting the beaters out of the whipped cream the ends of the whipped cream should not curl over, but instead stand straight up. There should also be a well that will hold in your bowl when it's whipped enough. But I caution you, over whipped cream turns into butter.
  3. Serve immediately over your pie or dessert or place in the fridge for up to 24 hours.

Nutrition

Calories: 110kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 11gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.5gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 34mgSodium: 92mgPotassium: 29mgFiber: 0.01gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 437IUVitamin C: 0.2mgCalcium: 20mgIron: 0.03mg

Tried this recipe?

Let us know how it was!

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Comments

  1. Chuckie says

    June 28, 2024 at 8:43 am

    5 stars
    Homemade whipped cream is an essential, year around, at my house! And this is a fantastic way to make it hold up longer!

    Reply
5 from 1 vote

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Chuckie laughing and holding a spatula.

Hi, I'm Chuckie, food blogger, photographer, and head cook at Laughing Rooster Eats! As a mom, cooking show host, and cooking teacher, I'm here to help you develop your "cooking gene"...

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