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!
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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.
J Alyssa
I’ve seen some recipes call for gelatin. Have you tried adding that?
Lydia Beiler
I haven’t. I guess I just like the simplicity of this method.
Pamela
Is it okay to freeze to use later?
Lydia Beiler
This doesn’t freeze the best. The only way that I’ve ever heard of people using it frozen is to pipe in dollops onto a parchment paper lined pan and then freeze it to use in hot cocoa or on desserts.
Tahlullah
I believe the reason that it does not freeze the best is that it is NOT exactly a replacement for Cool Whip.
Yours is basic whipped cream, & cannot be incorporated into recipes that call for actual Cool Whip, it will fall apart . . . Trust me I’ve tried because I cannot get Cool Whip HERE in Colombia South America.
Lydia Beiler
Yes, it does change consistency when frozen. But I do regularly use it in recipes that call for Cool Whip and it holds up just fine, as long as I’m not freezing the final dish.
Dawn Chandler
Can’t buy it in the Uk either which is such a shame
As it would sell really well here I’m sure !!
Edith
Can I use this in place of Cool Whip in desserts like strawberry pretzel dessert?
Lydia Beiler
I do, Edith and haven’t had any issues.
Carol
So easy, thanks for the simple instructions. My homemade CoolWhip came out better than the original!
Lydia Beiler
Yay! So happy to hear this, Carol!
Harold
All I can say is WOW! You won’t catch ME buying Cool Whip ever again! It is worth noting that if one is using Mexican vanilla, reduce the amount to only a few drops!
Lydia Beiler
This just tastes so much better, doesn’t it? And yes, that Mexican vanilla is strong. I used some at my in-laws recently and really overdid it. Oops!
Steven
I’m never going to get store bought again
Lydia Beiler
I understand that, Steven! Glad you liked it!