What is Whipped Cream?
Whipped cream is cream which has been beaten with air, causing the fat droplets in the cream to form little pockets which approximately double the volume of the cream. The result is a very rich, frothy dairy product which can be used in a variety of ways, from frosting cakes to topping hot chocolate. Whipped cream can be purchased in pressurized canisters which are typically packaged with nitrous oxide as a propellant, and it can also be made quickly at home; the advantage to home-made whipped cream is that it tends to be denser and richer, and the flavor can be better controlled. In order for whipped cream to set up right, the base cream must have a fat content of at least 30%. When whipped cream is made by hand, cooks use some form of beater to whip the cream, beating either by hand or with a hand-held mixer. As the cream starts to whip up, ingredients like sugar and flavorings can be added. When the cream has almost doubled in volume, the cook must stop beating, or he or she will en
