Plant-Based Whipped Cream: The Perfect Dessert Frosting

You may have thought that whipped cream was unchartered territory for us vegans, well think again! Here at PlantX, we offer a wide range of the best plant-based whipped cream from leading brands. In this article, we will go into some more detail about how experts have successfully managed to design authentic-style vegan whipped cream - the perfect topping for all of your favorite plant-based desserts and great for vegan whipped cream frosting! 

A Short History Of Whipped Cream 

Crème Chantilly or Crème fouetté - as the French call it - has long been a dessert staple among European culinary experts. The sweetened and aromatized cream can be traced all the way back to Renaissance Italy where neve di latte, or “snow cream”, was used as a condiment to a variety of classic Italian dessert dishes. It has since spread around the globe where it is enjoyed as everyone’s favorite condiment to their ice cream Sundays, hot chocolates, and fruit tarts. 

Traditionally whipped cream was made through a simple process of intense “whipping” whereby the fats in the cream emulsify causing the liquid to thicken. Nowadays, as whipped cream is produced on an increasingly industrial scale, you’ll find your whipping creams in an aerosol can where nitrous oxide makes the cream instantly “whipped”, thick, and delicious. Ready and waiting to be squirted over all your favorite desserts!

Making it vegan! 

For us vegans, we are (obviously) - at first glance - confronted with a clear dilemma: neither whipped cream nor whipped cream frosting is vegan (right?). Well, think again! Arguably the next frontier following the upsurge of authentic plant-based dairy products internationally, brands are increasingly finding ways to make vegan whipped cream readily available for vegans. 

Much to our delight, all the vegan whipped creams available on the PlantX site use 100% vegan ingredients as the base ingredient of these dessert staples. Ranging from coconut milk and aquafaba (chickpea water) all the way to rice milk, brands are constantly finding new and inventive ways to replicate that oh-so-good frothy, thick, and creamy consistency of a dairy whipped cream. 

So, let’s break down some of the key differences between some of the most popular products available on PlantX so that you can make a more informed choice when shopping for your next vegan whipped cream. Let’s go!

Affordable Vegan Whipped Cream Products Available on PlantX 

1. So Delicious - Cocowhip

This tasty dairy-free whipped cream alternative from So Delicious is pre-made and easy to use meaning that it can be ‘whipped out’ at any occasion. Coming in original and ‘light’ options, this is the perfect choice if you’re on the hunt for a low-fat alternative. Made using organic coconut oil and pea protein, this vegan whipped cream ticks every box. 

2. Silk - Heavy Whipping Cream 

Rivaling So Delicious and using a coconut milk base, Silk’s Heavy Whipping Cream comes in a carton meaning that you’ll need to reach for your whisk or KitchenAid and break a sweat to achieve your desired vegan whipped cream consistency. Though not as ‘convenient’ as an aerosol or pre-made vegan whipped cream, this heavy whipped cream is hugely versatile and can be adapted to any number of plant-based recipes! Plus, you can get it to the consistency you truly desire.

3. Soyatoo - Rice Whip Topping 

Possibly the most original of all the vegan whipping creams available on PlantX, Soyatoo’s Rice Whip Topping is primarily made with - you guessed it - rice milk! Coming in a handy aerosol can, you’re guaranteed to get perfect whipped cream every time. Using rice whipped cream as an alternative to dairy whipped cream is a great healthy alternative as it is low in fat not to mention free from cholesterol!

4. Nature's Charm - Cream Coconut Whipping

Another coconut-based vegan whipping cream, but just as unique and delicious! Gluten-free, unsweetened, and insanely creamy, this also makes for an excellent vegan whipped cream frosting. Simply add your powdered sugar, whip, and voilà. Looking for a chocolate frosting? Well just add some cocoa powder to the mixture and you’ve got exactly that! 

Other top-rated vegan whipped cream products that aren’t stocked on PlantX (yet!) come from Reddi-Wip, Gay Lea, truwhip, and 365 Plant-Based Whipped Cream! There are plenty of options on the vegan market these days, we are almost spoilt for choice.

Canned, pre-made, or aerosol: a different set of results

We’ve already touched a little bit on the different ways of producing and storing vegan whipped cream when comparing the most popular brands. Now let’s have a closer look at the pros and cons of each method so that you can make the right choice!

Canned 

Pros: Highly versatile - you can decide your own desired thickness according to a chosen dessert recipe.

Cons: You’ll sweat! Often, it can be a bit time-consuming. When using canned whipped cream you’ll need more time and energy to achieve your desired consistency, however, if you’ve got an electric whisk this quickens the whole process!

Pre-Made

Pros: Ready instantly! Using pre-made vegan whipped cream you simply have to spoon it out of the tub and voilà! 

Cons: Doesn’t have the same ‘squirting’ effect on an aerosol vegan whipped cream, so doesn't work as well with sundaes! 

Aerosol

Pros: Ready to be squirted straight out the can (and into your mouth)! Aerosol vegan whipped cream is the most convenient of all the vegan whipped creams.

Cons: Thinner consistency than a pre-made vegan whipped cream. The can is also more resource-heavy and less environmentally friendly.

Best ways to enjoy Plant-Based Whipped Cream

Many cultures and culinary traditions around the world have different ways of enjoying whipped cream, whether it's a classic American Sunday, a French crêpe, or a Caribbean cream, there really are no limits to what you can do with this simple rich dessert classic. 

It’s a popular topping for fruit and a variety of desserts like pie, cupcakes, cakes, ice cream, milkshakes, waffles, hot chocolate, cheesecake, Jello, and puddings (to name a few!). Vegan whipped cream holds the key to an infinite universe of plant-based dessert pleasure… So what are you waiting for! 

Cake Recipes: how to make the Perfect Vegan Whipped Cream Frosting

Vegan whipped cream frosting is possibly the ultimate topping to all of your favorite plant-based cakes and other baked goods recipes. Here’s a quick, simple, and foolproof recipe for a classic vegan whipped cream frosting that works every time! 

Ingredients 

• 1 carton of dairy-free whipping cream, we like Nature’s Charm - Cream Coconut Whipping  best for this
• 1 cup of icing sugar
• 1 tsp of vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Directions

1. Chill your bowl and/or mixing equipment in a refrigerator or freezer for ~10-30 minutes before beginning the process. The whipping cream should also be cool.
2. Next, sieve the icing sugar into a separate bowl (and get rid of those lumps!).
3. Remove your bowl and/or mixing equipment from the refrigerator or freezer and add the entire carton of whipping cream. Whisk immediately until it becomes frothy and has a thicker consistency (this could take some time so be patient).
4. All that’s left to do now is add your icing sugar and vanilla bean paste to the whipping cream. Continue whisking for between 1 and 2 minutes until you have achieved optimum thickness!
5. Use and serve immediately by slathering it over your pre-cooled cakes and cookies. Enjoy! 

Cake-spiration 

If you’re looking for some exciting plant-based baking recipes, look no further! This helpful blog on the PlantX site clearly outlines five delicious vegan cake recipes, that would all welcome a healthy dose of vegan whipped cream frosting. We have an affinity for the ‘Cooling Zucchini Cake and a Coconut Glaze’. Try it out this summer!

Frequently Asked Questions 

What is the difference between light and heavy whipped cream? And how healthy is it?

Just like normal whipped cream, vegan whipped cream comes in all different types. This means that you can easily find a ‘light’ or low-fat option if you’re on the hunt for a lighter alternative. Of course, there will always be an element of some fats in your whipped cream, as this is what makes it so creamy and delicious. Plant-based whipped creams typically contain healthier fats than dairy-based whipped creams, such as rice-based and soya-based creams.

So Delicious’ Cocowhip is a great low-fat, low-calorie, and vegan coconut-based whipping cream. With under 30 calories per serving, there’s nothing not to love about this vegan whipping cream! 

To sum up

All in all, whatever your dairy whipped cream preferences, there’s guaranteed to be a vegan whipped cream for you. Thick, creamy, and totally delicious! Spoon or squirt a coconut or rice-based plant-based whipped cream on top of all your favorite vegan desserts, cakes, hot chocolates, and sundaes! Lower in fat and cholesterol, make vegan whipped cream a staple in your home.