
Homemade Cool Whip cream is just what you want on top of cake, pie, or fruit salad. You barely need anything to whip it up and you get a light cloud of goodness, no weird stuff added. Now that I've made it myself, no one's even looking for the store-bought kind anymore.
My first try was when I ran out of ready-made whipped cream – now it's a must whenever family comes over.
Tasty Ingredients and Why They Count
- Heavy cream: Makes it fluffy and gives you that light, airy feeling. Try to get the freshest, richest stuff you can find.
- Powdered sugar: Sweetens things smoothly and keeps any grit away. Go for a simple one without extra fillers.
- Instant vanilla pudding mix: Brings it all together and makes your cream stay sturdy. The better the mix, the yummier the vanilla flavor.
- Vanilla: Gives that perfect finish. Real vanilla extract beats the fake stuff by a mile.
Easy Step-by-Step
- Serve it up:
- Serve it right away or chill covered until you're ready. It tastes best cold on cakes, fruits, or desserts.
- Beat the cream:
- Use your hand mixer on high. Go slow at first for a few seconds, then crank it up till you see peaks that hold. Should take about four to five minutes.
- Add your ingredients:
- Take your bowl from the fridge and pour in the cold heavy cream. Sprinkle the powdered sugar and pudding mix on top and add in the vanilla.
- Chill your bowl:
- Put a big mixing bowl in the fridge for at least fifteen minutes. Keeping everything cold helps your cream stay nice and thick when whipped.

Good to Know
Ultra-smooth and creamy
Stays thick for days in the fridge
Awesome for filling cakes or as a topping
I love sneaking a spoonful before guests arrive. The pudding keeps it fluffy way longer than you'd think.

Storage Tips
Keep it chilled and it'll stay fresh in the fridge for two or three days. Use an airtight container for leftovers. Once whipped, don't stir again, just use it straight for best texture.
Swap-Out Options
If you're out of pudding mix, stabilizer for whipped cream works too. Fine cane sugar is an option instead of powdered, but it takes longer to dissolve. Want a twist? Try a little lemon zest for a fresh kick.
Serving Ideas
Classic with fruit salad, cake, tarts, or layer it in a glass for a quick dessert. Tasty on pancakes or stuffed in cream puffs. In the summer I love mixing it with fresh berries.
Tradition and Backstory
Homemade whipped cream is a staple in German desserts. The pudding version feels a bit like American Cool Whip—you get the same texture as the original, just homemade. It's always a favorite at our family parties.
Common Recipe Questions
- → How much time do I need to make this?
You're looking at about twenty minutes. Give the bowl fifteen minutes in the fridge, then whip stuff together for maybe five.
- → Can I prep the Cool Whip Cream ahead of time?
Absolutely, just stash it in the fridge for a few hours. Give it a quick stir before you serve for the best texture.
- → What desserts go well with this?
This cream's awesome with cakes, fruit salads, ice cream, or tortes. You can toss it on drinks too for a fun twist.
- → Can I tweak the sugar?
It's cool to adjust the powdered sugar how you like. Just don't pour in tons or it'll go runny on you.
- → How do I keep it super fluffy?
Chill your bowl really well and whip the cream fast until you get stiff peaks. That's how you'll nail the fluffiness.