Adding whipped cream to any recipe from desserts, cakes, ice creams, cold and hot drinks, to fruit salads can make it creamy, decadent and delicious. This versatile ingredient can turn any dish from ordinary to something truly special.
However, most recipes require very small amounts of whipped cream, whether homemade or store-bought, which means that you often have plenty of the cream left behind. The question is, what is the shelf-life of whipped cream? How to store whipped cream?
The simple answer to these questions is that depending on the type of whipped cream you’re using, how and where you’re storing it and what type of container you’re storing it in, whipped cream has a shelf-life between 1-2 hours to a few months.
For instance, if left outside at room temperature, homemade whipped cream will probably last for just a couple of hours; however, if you freeze the homemade whipped cream immediately, it can last for many months.
In this article, we’ll discuss the shelf-life, how to store different types of whipped cream and how to tell if whipped cream has gone bad. So read on.
How Long Do Different Types of Whipped Cream Last?
Homemade Whipped Cream
If you prefer using homemade whipped cream, once you whip the whipping cream or heavy cream, you don’t have a lot of time. The whipped cream won’t keep for more than a couple of hours and it is best to use it up immediately. In the fridge, homemade whipped cream will last for up to a day.
Powdered sugar, gelatin, non-fat powdered milk, a commercial stabilizer like Whip It, or even melted marshmallows can be used to stabilize it if you want it to stay longer. Since powdered sugar contains cornstarch, a stabilizer, it can be used in place of regular sugar.
Don’t forget to incorporate the stabilizer into the cream at some point while it is being whipped, preferably when soft peaks form. If you’ve finished beating the cream and the peaks have stiffened, it’s too late to add the stabilizer. It is recommended to freeze any whipped cream that is left over.
In short, homemade whipped cream has a very short shelf life and can last for a day in the refrigerator. You can extend the shelf-life of the homemade whipped cream by 3 to 4 days by adding a stabilizer. But, if you need it to last for much longer, then the best option is to freeze the whipped cream.
Related: How to Make Whipped Cream Without Heavy Cream?
How to Tell If the Homemade Whipped Cream Is Spoiled?
If you have any leftover homemade whipped cream and are unsure if it can be used, first check for any mold in and on the sides of the container. If you notice any mold, then throw away the whipped cream. Next, check if the whipped cream has lost volume or has separated.
You may notice some water at the bottom and if there is some loss of volume, then the whipped cream can be used; however, if there is a lot of water, then it means that the cream is very old and is best discarded.
Check if the cream has become sour. If the cream smells or tastes sour like sour cream, it is advisable not to use it and throw it away. If the whipped cream has been stored in the fridge, it is not older than 4-5 days and if it seems fine, you can use it safely.
Aerosol Whipped Cream
Aerosol whipped cream such as Dream Whip, Reddi-wip, etc., also known as a whipped topping, is very convenient to use and has a longer shelf-life compared to homemade whipped cream.
Typically, aerosol whipped cream has a use-by date printed on the label. This date is not the product’s expiration date but only information about how long the manufacturer guarantees the quality of the whipped cream.
The cream may remain safe to use for 2-3 weeks after opening the can and it is best to use it within that period. If you want the whipped topping to last longer, then you can pour out portions of the cream and freeze it for use later on.
Related: Best Whipped Cream Dispenser Reviews 2022: Top 5+ Recommended
How to Tell If the Aerosol Whipped Cream Is Spoiled?
If you have an opened can of aerosol whipped cream lying around for more than a couple of weeks, then it is best to check if the cream is okay before using it. Pour out some of the whipped creams. If it is watery, seems off, or has a sour smell or taste, then avoid using the cream and discard it.
Cool Whip
Whipped toppings like Cool Whip are usually sold frozen in tubs. These products typically have a long shelf-life compared to homemade whipped cream and aerosol whipped cream because they are stored in the freezer. Usually, the shelf-life of Cool Whip and similar products is around 18 months or even more.
To use Cool Whip and similar products, you must first thaw it in the fridge and then use it. If you have any leftover Cool Whip, it will easily keep in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you want to reuse the Cool Whip much later, you can refreeze it for several months.
Cool Whip can be thawed and refrozen up to 5 times without any significant loss in quality. If you just use whipped cream once in a while and only need a small amount at a time, then it is best to use Cool Whip to prevent any wastage.
How to Tell If the Cool Whip Whipped Cream Is Spoiled?
If you’re not sure that the tub of Cool Whip lying in your refrigerator is good to use, check the storage period. If you have had the product sitting in your refrigerator for more than 3 weeks, then it is best to throw it away.
Check the tub of Cool Whip visually. If you notice any loss in texture, discoloration or mold, then it is best to throw it away. If the whipped cream smells off or sour or tastes bad, then discard it. If the Cool Whip looks fine, tastes and smells okay, then you can try it and see if it is good for use.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, nothing can be worse than serving a dessert at a party to find that the whipped cream you have used as a topping is off. Remember, homemade whipped cream can last up to 1 day. You can extend its shelf-life up to 4 days by adding a stabilizer to it or even more by freezing it.
Aerosol whipped cream remains good to use for 2-3 weeks and Cool Whip lasts for many months in the freezer and a couple of weeks in the refrigerator. Now that you know how long whipped cream lasts, you can tailor-make your plans accordingly.