Whipping cream is an essential ingredient in many pastries from using it in fillings, as toppings, or even to thicken a recipe. Frozen whipping cream can also be used as toppings, like having a frozen dollop of cream on a cup of hot chocolate. Whether frozen or not, whipping cream has so many uses.
But when frozen, how do you thaw it? The texture of whipping cream can be a freezing concern to those who aren’t as experienced. Don’t worry, it is very easy to defrost whipping cream. The easiest way to do so is to place the whipping cream into the fridge and wait overnight.
Defrosting Whipping Cream
Defrosting whipping cream couldn’t be simpler. This method is very low effort as all you have to do is move the cream from one spot to another.
- Step 1: Remove the amount of whipping cream that you want. You can also defrost the whole container if you’re going to be using it all quickly.
- Step 2: Take the whipping cream from the freezer and place it into the fridge. If your fridge is extremely cold, make sure the cream is in the front so the back doesn’t keep it frozen.
- Step 3: Wait overnight or at least 5 hours.
- Step 4: Enjoy your now defrosted whipping cream.
Depending on how long the whipping cream was in the freezer, the contents may have separated a small amount while defrosting. To fix this, simply give it a whisk until it recombines to its original texture.
Defrosting in the microwave is not a good idea. The only reason to use the microwave is if you are planning on using the whipping cream in a cooked dish like soup. The microwave can way too easily cause the cream to melt and lose its texture.
Freezing Whipping Cream
In order to defrost whipping cream, you need to know how to freeze it. Freezing whipping cream is just as simple as defrosting it.
- Step 1: Take your whipping cream and make sure it is in an air-tight container. This means making sure the container cap is completely sealed or that there are no cracks in the container. If you need to move the cream into a new container, make sure it has room to expand when freezing.
- Step 2: Label the date of freezing so you know how long the whipping cream is in the freezer.
- Step 3: Place into the freezer and allow time to freeze.
Can I Use Frozen Whipping Cream?
In many instances, you can use frozen whipping cream instead of thawing it first.
In cooked recipes, you can add frozen whipping cream. Simply adjust the length of cooking time with the addition of an extra cold product.
You can also use frozen whipping cream as toppings. Like in hot chocolate, you can add a frozen dollop of whipping cream. The heat will allow the whipping cream to thaw over a short amount of time. This can also apply to a fresh and warm pie.
A Whipping Cream Substitute
An easy substitute for whipping cream is using cream cheese. With a 1:1 substitute ration, you can add cream cheese to almost anything that you’d use whipping cream instead. An exception would have to be hot chocolate. That would be an interesting taste.
Freezing Cream Cheese
Freezing cream cheese, like whipping cream, is super easy to do.
- Step 1: Make sure the cream cheese is in an air-tight container. While it may be tempting to throw the whole box into the freezer, the cardboard could get wet from ice and mess with the cream cheese. Move the cream cheese into a Tupperware container or a plastic bag.
- Step 2: Label the date of freezing.
- Step 3: Put the cream cheese into the freezer and give it time to freeze.
Thawing Frozen Cream Cheese
While it’s easy to thaw frozen cream cheese, it is important to know that the freezing process will change the texture of the cream cheese. It will become more crumbly and hard to spread.
In cases where you are adding it to cooked dishes instead of whipping cream, it should be fine. With pastries, more work may be involved.
- Step 1: Take the frozen cream cheese out of the freezer.
- Step 2: Place in the fridge and allow to thaw overnight or for at least 5 hours.
If planning to use thawed cream cheese to top or fill a pastry, put it into the mixer first. Allowing air and motion to go through it will help recombine ingredients and help with fixing the texture.
How Long Does Whipping Cream Last
After opening your whipping cream, it will last for about a week in the fridge.
The freezer allows for whipping cream to last much longer. In the freezer, whipping cream will be good for around 3 months.
After being defrosted, try to use the whipping cream right away. Within 2 or 3 days is the best as the ingredients may want to separate again after thawing.
Final Thoughts
It’s super easy to defrost whipping cream, all you have to do is leave it in the fridge overnight! Freezing whipping cream is just as easy and it has so many uses in all the different forms it can take.
Cream cheese is a great substitute for whipping cream, though the texture does encounter more problems during the freezing and thawing process.
Knowing how to use your whipping cream is important in creating many great dishes. From soups to pastries, to topping fresh pies, whipping cream will elevate your meals greatly.
