Can You Freeze Whipping Cream?

Last updated on July 28th, 2022 at 02:11 pm

Everyone loves something sweet or rich! Especially around the Holiday season. Whipping cream is a great food to use in sweet desserts and toppings. 

You can also use whipping cream in soups and sauces for a rich texture. This cream is a big component in that creamy, milky touch that adds a little extra flavor to our favorite soup and sauce recipes. 

Since whipping cream is so useful, you might want to freeze it to have extra on hand. Whipping cream also goes out of date fairly quickly, and because of that, it’s extremely helpful to freeze whipping cream before it goes bad in order to cut down on food waste.

But can you actually freeze whipping cream? 

You can absolutely freeze whipping cream. The only possible issue with freezing it is that the texture could be affected but if you are using it in soups or sauces that shouldn’t matter too much. 

You might be concerned that freezing whipping cream would ruin the texture or flavor of the cream, but it won’t ruin the flavor at all. The only thing you might see a difference in is the texture. 

If you see some separation of the butterfat in the whipping cream just simply stir it until the separation goes away. 

There are two ways in which you can freeze whipping cream. If you mainly use it for baking or other recipes that require a small amount, you can freeze it beforehand in muffin tins or ice cube trays. 

Once the whipping cream is frozen, you can take it out of the trays and then move it into a labeled plastic bag. This is a quick and efficient way to use small measurements in recipes. 

If you want to freeze large amounts of whipping cream, you can always freeze it directly in the carton or you can freeze it in a Tupperware container. Since whipping cream expands when you freeze it, you will need to leave an inch of empty space at the top if you freeze it in a container. 

These are both great ways to preserve whipping cream.

How Do You Thaw Frozen Whipping Cream? 

Thawing whipping cream is a straight-froward process. Thankfully there are two ways to do it and both are easy as pie. 

To thaw whipping cream normally you will just need to place it in the fridge for 12-24 hours. If you are using whipping cream for a hot dish, you will not even have to thaw it before using it in your recipe! 

It will thaw as the rest of your food cooks. This method is so quick and easy! 

If you have frozen the whipping cream in muffin tins or ice cube trays, you will be able to just pop out the desired amount. 

If you are using it for a cold recipe or if you are whipping it into whipped cream then you will want to thaw it in the refrigerator. That way the whipping cream is a liquid by the time you use it in your recipe. 

You will simply need to put the whipping cream in the fridge for 12-24 hours until it thaws completely.

What Is The Difference Between Whipped Cream And Whipping Cream?  

The difference between whipped cream and whipping cream can be confusing. Even the name itself is confusing! 

Whipping cream is typically used in soups, sauces or dessert recipes while whipped cream is used on top of desserts. Whipped cream has been whipped and sweetened to make it a delicious topping to brownies, pies, and more. 

You might be more familiar with the name heavy cream instead of whipping cream. Basically, it is the fatty part of the milk that is taken from the top of the milk. 

Whipping cream is most commonly used to make whipped cream. Whipped cream is exactly what it sounds like, it is whipping cream that is hand-whipped to make it light and fluffy! 

When you beat whipping cream, you are essentially forcing air into the cream which causes a chemical reaction when the air interacts with the fat in the cream. You will want to add some way to sweeten the heavy cream before beating it into whipped cream. 

That way when you use your whipped cream for desserts and treats, you will be able to add that extra bit of sweetness with some sugar in your whipping cream. 

What Else Can You Use Whipping Cream For? 

We have already discussed how whipping cream can be used to make whipped cream and how it can be used in creamy soups and sauces. This is not all it can be used for, however! 

You can make sour cream, ice cream, and butter out of the whipping cream. Also, you can use it in various recipes such as a batch of caramel or in a pound cake. 

If you have run out of half and half, you can always use your leftover whipping cream and make your own half and half! Truly, the possibilities are endless. 

What Are Some Other Ways To Store Whipping Cream? 

Freezing whipping cream is definitely not the only way to store it. Though, it is the only way in which you will slow down the process of expiration. 

The main thing to keep in mind while storing whipping cream is that it needs to stay cold. To ensure that your whipping cream stays cold enough, store it towards the back of the refrigerator where it is the coldest. 

You will also need to store the whipping cream in a tightly sealed container. This will help lengthen the freshness of the cream. 

Under these circumstances, whipping cream should last about 5 to 10 days in the fridge. Before using the cream, however, you will want to check the color and consistency to ensure that it has not gone bad. 

That is why freezing it is so popular because it takes those 5-10 days and keeps it good for a few months instead. 

What To Do With Expired Whipping Cream? 

Now, let’s say you did not get around to freezing your leftover whipping cream before it went bad. Don’t worry! You don’t have to waste it, and you can still make use of that whipping cream! 

Once your whipping cream has gone past the expiration date, you can still make butter out of it. The process of making butter is fairly straightforward. All it takes is a little elbow grease! 

The next time you accidentally let some whipping cream go bad,  just look up a butter recipe, and you will be saving money and making a yummy condiment at the same time! 

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, freezing food is a cost-effective method for cutting down on food waste. Especially when concerning whipping cream which is a food item that expires quickly and is not often used in large quantities. 

So, find some yummy recipes to whip up with whipping cream and get cooking!