Whipped cream is a soul-satisfying condiment loved by one and all. Whether you use it on a cake or top-up a coffee, it elevates the taste. The good thing about whipped cream is that it can be made at home.
But how long does whipped cream last whether it is homemade or store-bought?
Homemade whipped cream lasts for a day if kept in the open. But if properly stored, it can last up to 4 days. To increase its shelf-life, you can use gelatin or a commercial whipped cream stabilizer. Aerosol whipped cream can last a couple of weeks after its best-by date. Whipped products (topping) sold frozen can last for months. But, once thawed, they last for 1-2 weeks in the fridge before they go bad.
Whipped cream is my favorite product to enhance a cup of hot coffee. And I tend to buy more than required. Which often made me wonder about its shelf life. If like me, you come up with similar questions; this article is for you. Here, we will discuss the shelf-life of whipped cream. We will also look at the risks associated with consuming sour whipped cream.
Does Whipped cream Go Bad?
Whipped cream, like any other product, can go bad over time. But before the cream starts to go bad, it degrades in quality. Even if you have stored the cream properly, it will go bad.
Compared to aerosol, homemade cream goes bad faster. This is because there are no preservatives added to it. Thus it loses quality quickly and will start to separate.
Ever wondered whether cool whip cream goes bad? Unlike regular whipped cream, the cool whip is often sold in a frozen form. So, if you buy a cool whip cream, ensure you store it in the freezer after buying it. Remember, the cream needs to sit in the freezer until you want to use it.
Whether you buy a packed cream or make one at home, there is no guarantee for its shelf-life. If the cream is past its expiry date, it will last for a few months or years before it goes bad.
How to Store whipped cream?
Whipped cream, aerosol or homemade both need to be refrigerated. Apart from refrigeration, you must also make sure that you seal the content properly. The container you use to store the cream must be an airtight one. An airtight container ensures that the leftover cream will not pick up smells. It also prevents the cream from drying, keeping it fresh for longer.
You can follow the following points to store it:
When storing whipped cream, always use an airtight container. You can also use plastic Tupperware containers to store the homemade cream.
Always put the whipped cream container at the refrigerator’s rear. The rear end has a stable temperature and is cooler than the front.
If you refrigerate the whipped cream, it will last up to 5- 7 days. Do not leave the whipped cream at room temperature after you remove it from the fridge. Once you do that, the leftover cream’s quality will degrade due to the temperature difference.
Want to maintain the handmade whipped cream’s peak flavor profile? This can easily be achieved by adding some gelatin to the cream. Boil the cream mixture until the gelatin is completely dissolved as it has many health benefits.
To store the stabilized whipped cream, keep it in an airtight container. Place the container in the fridge to enjoy it for up to 3-4 days.
FUN FACT: Do not process whipping cream if the peak stage is passed. In doing so, you will be left with butter and buttermilk, rendering the cream useless.
1. Use a fine-mesh strainer over a bowl to store the whipped cream
Using a mesh strainer over a bowl is a convenient method to store the whipped cream. The mesh strainer will help you remove any excess water from the cream. This way, you will only get top-quality whipped cream. Not only will the cream be delicious, but it will also last for a long time.
2. Leave a layer of whipped cream in the container
Want to use only the creamy part of your whipped cream? Leave a thin layer of cream in the container below. This method will allow you to use only the cream while the water settles below.
3. Make sure the nozzle is clean for aerosol cream
When using aerosol creams, you must keep the nozzle clean. To clean the nozzle, clean it with warm water. Once cleaned, use a clean cloth to wipe the nozzle dry. This will prevent the particles from contaminating the nozzle and ruining the cream. A clean nozzle will also prevent the growth of microbes and bacteria.
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Can you freeze whipped cream?
Whether you can freeze whipped cream or not depends on the type of packaging. Whenever buying whipped cream, my go-to choice is aerosol products. In aerosol packaging, the cream is stored in a pressurized container. Thus, freezing is not a wise option for most aerosol whipped cream products. But, if you want to freeze some, you can spray some whipped cream in a bowl. Seal the bowl shut and place it in the freezer. This way, you can easily store whipped cream in the freezer, even with aerosol packaging.
Another product similar to whipped cream is the Cool Whip. It can last for a long time if frozen properly. Therefore, once you have scooped out the required amount, freeze the remaining content. You can also refreeze the cool whips without worrying about them going bad.
To thaw the whipped cream or cool whips, transfer it to the refrigerator. Do not thaw the content by putting them in the microwave or by heating them.
Risks of Consuming Bad-Whipped Cream
Whipped cream has many health benefits. However, consuming sour whipped cream can make you sick. It can go bad fast due to its high-fat content. Sour whipped cream is highly likely to contain bacteria that can make you ill. One of the common results of consuming sour cream is food poisoning.
Food poisoning can cause nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting in adults and infants. In infants, however, the symptoms can take a heavy toll. Other symptoms of food poisoning include abdominal pain, dehydration, and weakness.
How Long Does Whipped Cream Last? What are the signs to look for?
Whipped cream degrades in quality before going bad. To check if your whipped cream has gone bad, look for the following signs:
1. Check the volume
One prominent sign to tell if your whipped cream has gone bad is its volume. If the volume has dropped significantly, it is time to say bye-bye to the cream. Not sure of the volume? Try to squeeze out a drop. If the peak appears flattened or the cream cannot hold, it’s probably no good. Throw away and buy a new pack of whipped cream.
2. Look for separation
If you leave the whipped cream for some time, it is common to see the liquid at the bottom. However, if the whipped cream appears to float on that liquid, toss it away.
3. Make sure it’s not sour
If you store whipped cream for a long time, it will have an altered taste. The sweet flavor and smell can turn into a rotten sour smell. So, only consume sour cream if you want to visit a doctor.
4. Look for mold
Mold can speak volumes about the quality of the product. So, if you see the whipped cream container has mold in the lining, discard it. For the aerosol whipped cream, look for mold in the nozzle area. Any sign of green/brown/black fog, the cream is no longer safe to consume.
Also Read: How long does Pesto last in the fridge?
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. How long does whipped cream stay?
Ans. Whipped cream can last for a day at room temperature. It can last for up to 4 days if properly stored.
Q2. How long will whipped cream stay fluffy in the fridge?
Ans. If stored properly, whipped cream can last for 2-4 days in the refrigerator. The fluffy and freshness also depends on the expiry date. Thus, make sure to check the date before consuming the cream.
Q3. How do you store whipped cream after whipping it?
Ans. The best way to store the whipped cream is in the refrigerator. To store the cream for a long time, you can also freeze it in a container. If you use whipped cream regularly, scoop out the portions and freeze them separately. This way, you will only use the required amount without disturbing the rest.
Q4. How far in advance can you whip cream?
Ans. If kept refrigerated, whipped cream can be prepared a day in advance. After 24 hours, however, the cream will start to separate. To avoid the content from separating, use a fine-mesh strainer and a bowl to store the cream.
Q5. How long is homemade whipped cream stable?
Ans. In most cases, whipped cream will hold for 2 to 3 hours if kept in cool surroundings. Remember, the warmer the climate, the faster the cream will go bad.
The Bottom Line
Whipped cream is one of the best toppings on cakes. It can elevate even the blandest taste, making it sweet and tasty. However, it is one of the condiments that spoils very soon. So make sure you store the cream properly and in a cool place. If you find any signs of spoilage, discard them. Consuming spoiled whipping cream can make you seriously ill. So, unless you want to visit a doctor, do not consume sour whipped cream.
