Buzz
What could be more delightful than crafting your own layer of fresh cream to top off cakes and other sweet desserts? This treat is far easier to prepare than you might imagine. Below, you'll find flawless recipes to create delicious, fluffy cream without any preservatives. One cup of fresh cream yields two cups of whipped cream.
- Time: 5-10 minutes
Ingredients
Classic Fresh Cream
- 1 cup fresh cream
- 1/3 cup or one tablespoon powdered sugar
- A pinch of salt
- Whip for 7-8 minutes
Flavored Fresh Cream
- 1 cup fresh cream
- 1/3 cup or one tablespoon powdered sugar
- A pinch of salt
- Additional flavors like vanilla, almond, or anise; corn liquor or brandy; citrus zest.
Cream Cheese Fresh Cream
- 500g cream cheese, at room temperature
- 2 cups fresh cream
- 1/2 cup sugar
- A pinch of salt
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
Steps
Classic Fresh Cream
Chill the cream. The colder the cream, the easier it is to whip. Whip the cream immediately after taking it out of the refrigerator; avoid leaving it at room temperature for too long. If possible, chill the bowl you’ll use for whipping as well.
Add sugar and salt. Sweeten the cream with your choice of sugar. Add a pinch of salt to enhance the flavor and balance the sweetness. Use a spoon or whisk to mix the ingredients evenly.
Whip the cream. Use a large whisk and make circular motions to whip the cream. Whip as quickly as possible to incorporate air, transforming the cream from a liquid to a fluffy consistency.
- It may take some practice to master hand-whipping. Work fast enough to prevent the cream from warming up. Switch hands if you feel tired.
- You can use machinery to make this task easier. Place the bowl under a mixer and let it do the work, or use a handheld mixer for gentle swirling motions.
Watch for peaks to form. The first noticeable change is when your tool leaves trails in the cream. This means the cream is thickening. Continue whipping until you can lift the tool and leave soft peaks on the surface.
- Some prefer soft, slightly runny cream for drizzling over desserts. Others prefer stiff peaks for decorating. Whip until the cream reaches your desired consistency.
- Stop whipping before the cream turns into butter. Over-whipping (especially with machinery) can harden the cream into butter. If this happens, save the butter for baking or other desserts, and start over with a fresh batch of cream.
Flavored Fresh Cream
Consider which flavors to use. Recently, adding flavors to fresh cream to enhance desserts has become popular. You can infuse cream with extracts, cocoa powder, liqueurs, or citrus zest. Choose flavors that complement your dessert. Here are some suggestions:
- Chocolate cream is made by adding a tablespoon of cocoa powder to the mix. It’s perfect for topping chocolate cakes.
- Create vanilla and corn whiskey cream for pecan pie. Add a teaspoon of vanilla extract and a teaspoon of corn whiskey to the mixture.
- Make a light, citrus-flavored cream by mixing in a tablespoon of lemon zest. This pairs well with strawberry cake.
- Almond or anise extract adds a delicate flavor to the cream, making it an ideal topping for berry desserts.
Mix flavors into the cream before whipping. When ready, take the cream out of the refrigerator and pour it into a clean bowl. Add sugar, salt, and your chosen flavorings. Mix everything together with a spoon or whisk.
Whip the cream. Follow the same steps as for classic fresh cream, whipping until stiff or soft peaks form, depending on your preference. Use the cream to top your sweet treats.
Cream Cheese Fresh Cream
Whip the cream cheese. Place the cream cheese in a chilled bowl and whip until it becomes soft and fluffy.
Sweeten the cream. In a separate bowl, combine cold fresh cream, vanilla, sugar, and salt. Use a whisk or spoon to mix the ingredients thoroughly.
Whip the cream. Use a whisk or handheld mixer to whip until soft peaks form. Stop just before stiff peaks are achieved.
Combine cream cheese with fresh cream. Add the whipped cream cheese to the fresh cream bowl. Use a whisk or handheld mixer to whip until stiff peaks form when you lift the tool from the bowl.
Use cream cheese fresh cream to top or decorate desserts. Since cream cheese fresh cream is thicker and denser than regular fresh cream, it’s ideal for both decorating and topping cakes. It pairs perfectly with apple or pumpkin pies.
All done!
Tips
- For the best results, use a chilled metal bowl. Avoid plastic bowls.
- Add food coloring before whipping for special occasions.
- If the cream tastes too tangy, add more sugar.
- To make the whipped cream hold its shape longer for cake decorating, mix in a bit of cornstarch while whipping.
- Avoid using ultra-pasteurized cream, as it may not thicken properly.
- Use brown sugar instead of regular sugar for a milder sweetness and a light tan color.
- Chilling the cream before using it for cake decoration is helpful.
- Using a mixer is much faster than whipping by hand.
What You'll Need
- Whisk or cream whipper
- Large bowl (preferably metal)
- Measuring tools
