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Whipped Cream (French Crème Chantilly)

cremechantillyA good Chantilly cream recipe is essential to every French kitchen. This rich whipped cream infused with vanilla extract is a classic embellishment to French pastry, genoise cakes (sponge cakes), and tarts. In essence, Chantilly cream is a sweetened whipped cream with vanilla added (some recipes use liqueurs in place of vanilla). It's a snap to make and calls for just three ingredients. You may find yourself making it again and again to use as a topping or filling with many of your dessert recipes, from pies to cakes to layered desserts.

2 cups heavy cream
2 Tbsp. granulated sugar
1 tsp. pure vanilla extract

In a large mixing bowl, beat the heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla extract together on high speed until soft peaks form.

Use as your recipe directs. Chill any unused Chantilly cream.

Makes 2 cups.

Cook's Notes:

  • When making whipped cream, all of the ingredients and equipment should be cold. If your kitchen is warm, place the bowl and beaters in the refrigerator for 15-20 minutes before beginning the recipe. Also, make sure to keep the heavy cream in the refrigerator until ready to use.
  • The cream needs to be labeled as "heavy whipping cream" or "heavy cream" and have at least 35 percent milk fat to get a fluffy whipped cream.

Recipe Variations:

  • Add some flavored liqueur to the cream mixture. Some popular types to combine with whipped cream include amaretto, cassis, brandy, curaçao, Grand Marnier, Irish cream, and rum.
  • You can also try one of the many Italian cordial syrups used in coffee drinks. Popular brands include Sonoma, DaVinci, Torani, Giffard, Stasero, Fontana, and Monin.
  • A word of caution: Start adding the liqueur slowly, perhaps 1 tablespoon at a time, until you've reached the desired flavour.

How to Use Chantilly Cream:

  • Chantilly cream is ideal for Swiss roll recipes such as a Hungarian raspberry-cream roulade, a raspberry whipped cream roll made of sponge cake filled with canned raspberry filling, whipped cream, cream cheese, and fresh raspberries.
  • It is delicious used as a filling for cakes and layered pastry desserts.
  • Use as a topping for any dessert that calls for whipped cream, such as pies and cobblers as well as fresh fruit.