Not everyone can handle dairy products well, so finding alternatives is important. Here is your rundown of non-dairy whipping cream.
For many families baking desserts around the world, there is no topping that is more beloved or perceived as more necessary than whipping cream. The silky-smooth topping is sweet and gives a sense of “umph” to a pavlova, ice cream, or cake. But if you cannot tolerate dairy, then there is a good chance you may want to have non-dairy whipping cream in your refrigerator.
The good news is that you wouldn’t be the only one as dairy companies are taking note of people’s increasing desire to have more dairy-free options to toppings like whipped cream.
So what type of non-dairy whipped cream can you get as an alternative to milk-based ones? Read on to find out how they can be better than dairy whipping cream!
What Is Non-Dairy Whipping Cream?
Believe it or not, the invention of the original non-dairy whipping cream has a fascinating history.
Non-dairy whipping cream is a purely American invention, developed by Bob Rich in 1945 while working at a Buffalo, New York dairy farm. At the time, it was World War II so dairy and milk products such as butterfat were often diverged to U.S. soldiers by order of the government.
Whipped toppings were already well known at this time and only made with dairy products. Thus, Rich was interested in making alternatives the general population could use during wartime.
But one day, Rich discovered that the liquid soy-based Whip Topping he had been developing could be whipped after being frozen, which dairy cream could not do. This meant he had just created whipped cream without the use of dairy.
Coconut Whipped Cream
Coconut is by far the most popular ingredient to use if you are making a non-dairy whipped cream. You can use either coconut milk, coconut cream, or even coconut sugar. Sweeteners like Stevia, powdered erythritol, honey, and maple syrup work well for these coconut options.
Keep in mind that you should only use coconut products that have a high level of fat so it can help the whip become solid in the fridge.
Aquafaba Whipped Cream
You may not think that chickpeas could possibly be a key part of dairy-free whipped cream, but it’s true. This is because chickpeas are stored with a liquid called aquafaba that contains starch and protein inside. Because of this, aquafaba can be a great ingredient to use in your non-dairy whipped cream if you cannot use or have coconut products.
So the next time you open a can of chickpeas, don’t pour them down a drain. Use it and make sure to sweeten it.
Almond Milk-Based Whipped Cream
With the increased popularity of almond milk around the world, it is no wonder that a dairy-free whipped cream can also be made with it. To make it, you will need almond milk, xanthan gum, granulated sugar, cornstarch, and vanilla extract. By the end, it should be a kind of pudding texture but soft enough to still be able to move around.
Cashew-Based Whipped Cream
If you don’t like almond, soy, coconut, or oat milk, why not try using cashews as the basis of your non-dairy whipped cream?
This option may take a little more time if you do not use cashew milk that is store-bought. You would first need to boil the cashews then blend them with filtered water, vanilla extract, maple syrup, sea salt, and tapioca starch to make the whipped cream.
Don’t worry about it too much as, by the end, you’ll have a thick and creamy whipped cream.
Soy Milk-Based Whipped Cream
As discussed above, soy was used as the original dairy alternative for making whipped cream. Even with the multiple options available to make dairy-free whipped cream, it is still used today.
Soy milk dairy-free whipped cream is fairly easy for anyone to make. You can use as little as four ingredients, which are soy milk, vegetable oil, maple syrup, and vanilla extract. You can also use other dairy-free ingredients like coconut to thicken it up.
Make Non-Dairy Whipping Cream for Your Next Dessert
As you can see, whipping cream does not have to be reserved for those who are able to tolerate milk-based products or vegan. Non-dairy whipping cream can be a great alternative if you want the feel of whipped cream without all of the guilt and stomachaches. Try the ones listed above out for yourself!
Whipped cream of any kind is not the only topping that leaves dessert lovers craving some food porn that will please their sweet tooth. There are so many desserts out there that can inspire you, so why not learn about them through our site? Check out our Baking & Dessert section to get some great info for the next time you feel like decorating your dessert.
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