This stabilized whipped cream frosting recipe makes lightly sweetened, thick and fluffy, perfectly pipe-able frosting that doesn’t weep or lose its shape! This recipe comes together in 15 minutes and can be used to ice cakes or cupcakes or anywhere in place of store-bought whipped cream! Recipe includes a tutorial video!
A Sweet & Simple Frosting
I’ve received a record number of requests for this whipped cream frosting recipe, and here it is! While I love my existing whipped cream recipe and have bragged often about how stable it is, I’ve also advised that that one is not ideal for icing cakes or cupcakes.
Sure, it’s great, fluffy, un-fussy and so tasty, but if you want a whipped cream frosting, one that is guaranteed to hold its shape, not melt, and last for several days, you really need to stabilize it first.
This requires a simple extra step and a sprinkle of gelatin powder.
The end result is a frosting that’s lightly sweetened (those of you who want a frosting that’s “not too sweet” will love this one), fluffy and creamy, but still stable enough to pipe over cupcakes or frost a two or three layer cake. Pictured above it’s prettily piped over a batch of cupcakes that I made out of my vanilla cake recipe (of course I tossed in a few sprinkles for good measure!)
Let’s get to it!
What You Need
- Gelatin. This is what makes this recipe a stabilized whipped cream. Gelatin stabilizes the cream and keeps the frosting sturdy (even at room temperature) and keeps it from melting over itself or weeping, as classic, un-stabilized whipped cream may be prone to do. I recommend using unflavored gelatin, which, as the name indicates, doesn’t taste like anything so that the natural flavors of the cream, sugar, and vanilla extract can shine through.
- Powdered sugar. Those of you who don’t like sugary frostings will be thrilled to hear that there is only ½ cup of sugar in the whole recipe! (Compare that to classic buttercream frosting, which uses 4 cups or 8x as much sugar for the same amount of icing!). This is just enough sugar to sweeten the stabilized whipped cream and help it hold its thick, fluffy shape.
- Vanilla extract. Added for flavor. Of course I like to use my homemade vanilla extract for best flavor!
- Heavy whipping cream. This is the base of our stabilized whipped cream. It should be as cold as possible (without being frozen) in order to achieve a thick and fluffy frosting. You can use heavy cream, heavy whipping cream, or double cream. “Whipping cream” will work, but since it contains less fat the results aren’t quite as stable as those made with the other creams listed.
This is just an overview of the ingredients I used and why I chose them. For the full recipe please scroll down to the bottom of the post!
How to Make Stabilized Whipped Cream Frosting
- Add the gelatin to a microwave safe dish and add cold water. Whisk until the gelatin is smoothly combined with the water and set aside. The gelatin is the fussiest part of this whole (otherwise very simple) recipe. Make sure to follow my notes and you shouldn’t have any issue, though!
- In a separate bowl, combine cold heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract. For best results, use a chilled metal bowl and chill your beaters, too! The colder everything is the better your results will be. Beat the ingredients with an electric mixer and stop once the cream has begun to thicken, but just before reaching soft peaks.
- By now, your gelatin/water mixture should have solidified. Heat it briefly in the microwave just until it’s re-melted and briefly mix it with a whisk (you don’t want it to be very hot, but the gelatin mixture should be 100% liquid and totally smooth or you could end up with a frosting that stays runny or have lumps in your frosting). This usually only takes 5-10 seconds in the microwave. Turn your electric mixer to low-speed and, while beating the cream mixture, slowly whisk in the gelatin.
- Gradually increase the speed on your electric mixer until your whipped cream is fluffy with stiff peaks. It should look like Cool Whip, thick and fluffy!
It may seem counter-intuitive at first to liquify the gelatin and allow it to set up only to re-liquify it again by melting, but it’s important! This is a process known as “blooming” the gelatin, which ensures that the end result is not only smooth (rather than grainy or lumpy) but also that it stabilizes properly.
SAM’S TIP: While the cream must be beaten very well, it is possible to over-beat your cream, leaving you with a rough, curdled-looking mess. If you accidentally overdo it, don’t panic, you might still be able to salvage things! Simply add 1-2 Tablespoons of heavy cream and mix until you’ve reached the proper consistency.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are several reasons this can happen. Most likely, you simply need to keep beating the mixture, it can take some time and requires patience! However, if your gelatin was very, very hot when you added it to the cream, if the cream was not cold enough, or if you are in a very warm kitchen, your cream may not thicken as it should. Set yourself up for success and make sure you follow the steps for blooming the gelatin and use cold cream and a cold bowl (and beaters, too!).
This frosting lasts up to 4-5 days stored in an airtight container in the fridge in an airtight container. While it does well at room temperature due to the gelatin, it’s still a dairy-based frosting and so is not ideal for high heat for long periods of time (such as outdoor parties in the summer!). I recommend keeping it chilled. At room temperature (below 75F/24C) I wouldn’t leave it out for more than an hour or two.
Unfortunately I don’t recommend it. If you have a cake that you’d like to use fondant with, I would recommend using my classic buttercream frosting or cream cheese frosting instead.
There are many different methods for making whipped cream frosting, but personally I found that this method yielded the most stable results with the most authentic whipped cream taste.
I tried many methods including using more powdered sugar (made the frosting too sweet and did not last as long as this version with gelatin), using a food processor (didn’t hold its shape long enough and still melted), adding cream cheese (tasty, but changed the taste far too much) and using powdered milk (this worked fairly well, but did not hold its shape as long and modified the taste a bit). Ultimately I recommend sticking with the method written in my recipe below.
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Enjoy!
Let’s bake together! Make sure to check out the how-to VIDEO in the recipe card!
Stabilized Whipped Cream Frosting
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin (this is usually sold near the Jell-O in the grocery store)
- 1 ½ Tablespoons cold water
- 1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream cold
- ½ cup (65 g) powdered sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Recommended Equipment
Instructions
- Sprinkle gelatin into a microwave safe measuring cup or other small microwave-safe dish (preferably one with a spout to make it easy to pour later on).1 teaspoon unflavored gelatin
- Add water and whisk gelatin and water together until all gelatin has been absorbed. Set mixture aside to sit for 5 minutes.1 ½ Tablespoons cold water
- While gelatin is sitting, combine heavy cream, powdered sugar, and vanilla extract in a large bowl (preferably a chilled metal bowl). Use an electric mixer to beat until the mixture is thickened, but stop shy of reaching soft peaks.1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream, ½ cup (65 g) powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- At this point, check your gelatin. It should have solidified at this point. If so, pop it in the microwave just until the mixture has re-liquified. This usually takes me 5-10 seconds. The mixture should be liquid, but should not be very hot. Use a whisk to briefly stir the contents together to make sure they are smooth.
- With electric mixer on low speed, drizzle liquid gelatin into the cream. Slowly increase speed to medium/high then continue to beat until you have reached stiff, fluffy peaks.
- Immediately pipe or ice cake or cupcakes as desired, or use as desired in place of store-bought whipped cream!
Notes
Storing
I recommend using the frosting for decorating immediately after preparing for best results, but alternatively you may store in an airtight container in the fridge for several days before using as desired. Stabilized whipped cream will keep in the refrigerator in an airtight container for up to 4-5 days. This recipe may also be frozen once it is piped onto your dessert.Make it chocolate
Add 3-4 Tablespoons of cocoa powder in with the sugar for a chocolate stabilized whipped cream. If your cocoa is lumpy, make sure to sift before adding.Nutrition
Nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and should be considered an estimate only. Actual nutritional content will vary based upon brands used, measuring methods, cooking method, portion sizes, and more.
Kia
hello!🤗 so I need much more that that amount. and wanted to see if I could just double all of the ingredients. thank you!
Sam
Hi Kia! Yes, you would just want to double all of the ingredients. 🙂
Jennifer
The frosting tasted great but the gelatin didn’t fully incorporate into it. I little jello bits throughout. What did I do wrong?
Sam
Hi Jennifer! If your gelatin was too warm when you added it in it can cause this to happen. 🙁
Amanda
How many cupcakes will this frost?
Sam
Hi Amanda! If you frost them like the pictures it will frost approximately 12 cupcakes. 🙂
Cheryl
Is there a way to re-liquify the gelatin without using a microwave?
Sam
Hmm, I think I would try in a double boiler.
Lora Ann
If adding gel coloring, when do you add it?
Sam
You will want to stir it in briefly at the end. 🙂
Dominika
Could I use food colouring gel as an alternative to food dye too? Or would it weigh down the whipping cream?
Sam
Hi Dominika! I actually prefer to use the gels as it takes less to give you the color you are looking for. 🙂
Kristina
I used this to pipe the fur on an Easter lamb cake it it worked perfectly! It’s so light and fluffy, too, so provided a good balance against the somewhat dense cake.
Shannan
I was just going to ask if it could be used to pipe fur or grass. I am doing something with grass and wanted a whipped version instead of buttercream.
Debby
Can I add some small diced strawberry to it and it still hold up ? Have you ever tried that ?
Sam
Hi Debby! It will likely end up splitting the frosting as the berries begin to macerate in the cream. 🙁
Cait
Use freeze dried strawberries!! I then blend them using food processor/blender or just crush using rolling pin until fine powder. I have added 1 teaspoon up to 1 tablespoon and consistency of frosting didnt change, just add as much as you want for flavor and color 🙂 good luck!!
Kelly
It was delicious. Could I put the gelatin in right after mixing or does it have to setup and then be redissolved? I don’t like using a microwave if I can avoid it. Thank you!
Sam
Hi Kelly! The resting the gelatin is how you prevent lumps from forming. Sometimes if you are quick enough it won’t fully set up, but I wouldn’t recommend dumping it right in.
Maki
Can I pipe my cupcakes the day before and leave out at room temp for a party midday the next day? If not, do you have a not-so-sweet stable cupcake icing I could pipe in advance? Someone recommended a cream cheese frosting, but I like the sound of this one better. I’m trying to minimize the amount of work on the day of the party…so much to do! Thanks!
Sam
Hi Maki! This whipped cream will need to be refrigerated. It will hold it’s shape but it needs to be refrigerated. 🙂
Laura
can I use lemon juice or extract in this instead of vanilla or will I t curddle?
Sam
Lemon extract should be fine here, enjoy!
Kyra
Will I be able to use use black food coloring in this recipe?
Sam
Sure thing! 🙂
Kyra
Also will I be able to add Black Cocoa and when would I add it?
Sam
I haven’t personally tried the black cocoa but I don’t think it will cause any issues. You can follow the notes on how to make it chocolate, which are listed below the recipe. 🙂
Jamie
I a diabetic and use monk fruit. Monk fruit uses 1/8 tsp in place of every 1tsp sugar. It is powdered already. My question is, can I use my monk fruit in the 1/8 to 1 ratio or does the 1/3 cup powdered sugar do something for the consistency of the frosting?
Sam
Hi Jamie! The powdered sugar does help the consistency, but the gelatin is really key here. I’m not sure how the monk fruit would work and I would love to know how it goes. 🙂
Annette
SO YUMMY and easy to work with! Thank you!
Denise Losey
My daughter made this for my birthday. She subst. vanilla for one packet of Starbucks espresso powder and put it on a moist chocolate cake. It was amazing! So light and perfectly sweetened. Thank you for this recipe!! I love it.
Luse Lieu
Taste awesome! But I’m having trouble getting it to hold shape when piping using small piping tips. I followed your recipe to the T and got stiff peaks, but couldn’t get nice piping like your cupcake picture. Please help.
Sam
Hi Luse! That’s very interesting. If you reach stiff peaks there shouldn’t be any reason it can’t hold it’s shape on a cupcake. Is it really warm?
Tammy S
Can I use fruit pectin instead of gelatin?
Sam
Hi Tammy! I haven’t ever used it. It may not thicken as much as gelatin does.
Catherine
I modified the amounts because I didn’t want any leftover cream and gelatin.
I used 1 packet knox gelatin, 2 tbsp water, 2 cups whipping cream, 65 grams powd. sugar and 1 1/3 tsp vanilla extract.
Turned out perfect! Thanks for this recipe.