Made from just 3 simple ingredients, this homemade Cool Whip substitute is so easy to make & ridiculously delicious! You’ll never want to buy the stuff from the store again. Homemade whipped cream for the win!
There are affiliate links in this post. If you use these links, I may earn a commission- please read my full disclosure policy.
I remember as a child being in awe as I watched my mom dump cream into a mixing bowl and then a couple of minutes later produce fluffy homemade whipped cream, with beautiful peaks. It seemed almost magical!
And I especially loved when she’d let me lick off the beaters after I sat there mesmerized watching them whirl around, the cream gradually thickening.
Eventually, my mom started using Cool Whip more instead of real whipped cream. But I always had an affinity for the real thing.
Once I was a homemaker myself, I started becoming a bit more health-conscious and realized that the list of ingredients in Cool Whip wasn’t exactly pretty. But since it was usually a lot cheaper than real whipped cream, our tight budget usually won the decision and most times I relied on the bought fake stuff.
Then several years ago I made an exciting discovery! Aldi sells heavy cream for $1.99 a pint and one pint makes a bit more than 1 Cool Whip container full of real whipped cream. That makes it very inexpensive at just $1.49 for the equivalent of an 8 oz. container of Cool Whip!
So I started making my own and haven’t looked back since. If a recipe calls for Cool Whip, I make my own homemade “Cool Whip” with whipping cream and sub it instead. It not only tastes more delicious, but it is also much healthier too!
How to Make Cool Whip
Homemade Cool Whip is super easy to make and takes just three simple ingredients: heavy whipping cream, sugar and vanilla!
To make the Cool Whip, just add the heavy whipping cream to a bowl, then use an electric mixer to whip it up until it starts to thicken. Once it becomes fluffy and forms soft peaks, you add a bit of sugar and vanilla and mix a bit more.
It’s done and ready to enjoy once it’s well mixed and forming stiff peaks.
Some people say that it’s important that you use a chilled bowl when you make DIY Cool Whip, but my grandmother, mom nor I have ever done that and it’s never been an issue. So I say, keep it simple and just use a room temperature bowl!
Recipe for Cool Whip (or homemade Whipped Cream)
Disclaimer: This Cool Whip substitute is not dairy-free like real Cool Whip and therefore is not a good substitute for anyone that is lactose or dairy intolerant.
Easy Homemade Whipped Cream (homemade Cool Whip)
Ingredients
- 1 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3 to 4 Tablespoons sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
Instructions
- Pour heavy whipping cream into a mixing bowl. (If you using a hand mixer, make sure the bowl has high sides because the cream will splash quite a bit initially. I’ve found using the whisk attachment helps a lot!)
- Beat on medium speed just until soft peaks are formed.
- Add sugar and continue mixing until stiff peaks form.
- Stir in vanilla.
- Store refrigerated.
Jo
I have to say that I find it very strange that this is considered something of a revelation! How ridiculously ‘instant’ have some countries in the world become?
ThriftyFrugalMom
Jo, you are right, lots of folks have become so used to “instant” that they no longer now how to do things like this that our grandparents considered the norm. Thankfully, the tide is changing and many folks are interested in more natural eating and so things like real whipped cream are being revived. I’m happy about that! 🙂
Lou
Glad to know I’m not the only one thinking it is a bit strange that it even needs a blog post.
ThriftyFrugalMom
Lou, I’m there are plenty more people that have felt the same way too. Thing is, I’ve also had lots of folks let me know that they are so grateful to know how to make real “Cool-whip” and I’m more than happy to help them learn that there are better alternatives than that stuff. 🙂 It’s fascinating to me, because I learned long ago that sometimes the things that I think are “normal” or obvious, other people find totally new and amazing.
Nita
Just a quick note to share since I have a deep love for whipped cream also. You can make your fresh whipped cream last longer. Put 1/4 cup of cold water in a pan, add 2 tablespoons of unflavored gelatin and let sit until the water become thick and gel like. Whip your whipped cream while the other sets up. After it turns to thick gel and water is absorbed turn on the heat on low and let it turn into liquid again. After that- turn your mixer on again and slowly start adding the liquid to your whipped cream till its all added then rewhip.. The whipped cream will not form the stiff high peaks from the original but you will get nice soft peaks and whipped cream that will stay fresh and not break down! Enjoy!
ThriftyFrugalMom
I’ve heard that you can add gelatin to whipped cream to stabilize it, but I have never tried it and I wasn’t exactly sure how to do it. Thanks for the great tip!
KrisAnne
I thought about leaving a comment the other times you posted it, but never did. However, I really do need to say this! You’re missing one very important thing in this recipe: a good pinch or 2 of salt! It rounds out the flavor and makes it that much yummier. 🙂 {In my humble opinion.}
ThriftyFrugalMom
Well, I value your humble opinion a lot, so I’m glad you finally took the time to leave the comment. 😉 Seriously, I never heard of adding salt, but it makes a lot of sense that it would give more depth to the flavor. Definitely going to try it!! (Now you have me scheming to figure out something to make whipped cream for just so I can try the salt thing.) 😉
Carlee
Now that you mention it, making the real stuff isn’t that hard. I’m taking this to heart and making more homemade whipped cream. Watch out Aldi, here I come!
ThriftyFrugalMom
I know, right? Every time I make some to replace Cool-Whip in a recipe, I’m like, “Why did I wait so long to do this?!”
Valerie
If you use honey instead of sugar it won’t get runny. Tastes the same.
ThriftyFrugalMom
Serious, Valerie? That’s good to know! I like using honey instead of sugar in some things just because I feel like it is healthier, but I never thought of trying it in whipped cream.
Jennifer
Homemade whipped cream is the best. There’s nothing quite like it. Plus, it’s good to know every ingredient that goes into the food we eat.
Wishing you a lovely weekend.
xoxo
ThriftyFrugalMom
Yes, I love being able to know the actual ingredients of what we are eating.