Although it’s not something that happens often, if you’ve found yourself with some leftover whipped cream and you’re wondering what to do next, we’re on hand with the answers.
Rather than throwing whipped cream away or storing it in the fridge only for it to inventively go to waste, you should indeed freeze it.
Yep, you read it right. It’s perfectly safe to freeze whipped cream. Not only is it safe, but your sweet tooth will thank us later. Whipped cream freezes and thaws out exceptionally well and will save any unnecessary waste. So, instead of abandoning your whipped cream delights, save them for another day.
Types of cream you can freeze?
Whipped cream
Whether whipped cream is unsweetened, sweetened, or has additional ingredients mixed it, you can freeze it. Furthermore, if it happens to be combined with cream cheese, cornstarch or a similar element, it will actually keep its shape better when you come to thaw it. Simply put, whipped cream in all shapes and sizes can be frozen.
Heavy cream
Heavy cream, which is often transformed into whipped cream, also freezes well. Heavy cream, which is cream with a fat content of 36% or above is perfectly safe to freeze; however, it can sometimes become a little grainy once it’s thawed out. Furthermore, it can also be difficult to whip into peaks if it’s been frozen then thawed. So, as a general rule of thumb, heavy cream is suitable to freeze if you’re using it for cooking rather than whipping.
Creams with a fat content below 35% (light cream) are likely to separate once they thaw. For best results, you’re best to use fresh light cream for any recipes that require them.
Freezing food with whipped cream in
When it comes to sweat or savoury foods that contain whipped cream, freezing them is also an option. For sweet treats such as cakes, icing or frosting, it is perfectly safe to pop them into the freezer and thaw out at room temperature before serving. Trust us, it tastes just as good.
How to freeze whipped cream
The most convenient way to freeze whipped cream is in individual mounds. Follow our step by step guide for reliable results:
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Spoon on your remaining whipped cream onto the paper into mounds – opting for single-serving portions (however big that may be for you).
- Pop the tray with the mounds into the freeze overnight until they are stable enough to move.
- The following day, remove the whipped cream mounds from the tray and transfer into a freezer bag or container.
Once you’ve done this, you’ll have access to single servings of whipped cream that will be ready to savour in a matter of minutes. If you’re using your frozen cream for desserts, simply pop them on top of each serving and thaw at room temperature for around 15 minutes. Top tip: dropping a delicious mound of whipped cream into a hot chocolate is a truly indulgent, fuss-free treat.
How long does whipped cream last?
The shelf life of whipping cream can generally vary from 1-2 weeks depending on how it’s stored and packaged. Frozen whipped cream is best consumed with one month of freezing, although it is safe to freeze it for around 3 months. If you’re concerned that your whipping cream is inedible, the easiest (although not scientific) way of finding out is to use your sense of smell. When the cream has gone off, it will give off a sour smell. Beyond smell, when whipping cream is spoiled, it will usually curdle, and the liquid will contain lumps
How long is whipping cream good for when it’s an ingredient in a recipe?
While it can depend on how it’s stored, generally speaking, whipped cream in a recipe will last as long as the quickest expiring ingredient that it’s been combined with.
Now that you know exactly how to safely freeze your whipped cream delights, you can save a slice or two of your favourite recipes for later. No more wasting perfectly good, totally delicious whipped cream!
