You Can (And Should) Freeze Whipped Cream. Here's Why

Homemade whipped cream can be nothing short of amazing. All it takes is a little heavy cream and some elbow grease to make a light, fluffy topping perfect for desserts like strawberry shortcake. Even better, if heavy cream isn't to your liking, you can use some expert-approved substitutes for heavy cream to make whipped cream just about any way you like. The only downside to homemade whipped cream is figuring out what to do with the leftovers once you're done.

If you're faced with extra whipped cream, the best thing to do is freeze it. Yes, really; you may be shocked to learn how easy it is to preserve this delectable topping. All you have to do is drop it onto a sheet of parchment paper in small mounds of about a spoonful or two. Then, put them in the freezer overnight to allow them to get firm and frozen. Take the sheet out, put all the whipped cream mounds in a sealed container, and put it back in the freezer until you need whipped cream.

The best part about freezing whipped cream is that it's incredibly easy to thaw when you need it. Just take as much as you need and let it thaw for five minutes. By that point, it should be ready to top desserts like our easy two-ingredient lemon bar recipe. You can even theoretically put it on straight out of the freezer, and you'll still have delicious whipped cream ready in minutes.

Like everything else, whipped cream still has a limited shelf life, even in the freezer. It typically lasts up to a month before it starts to go bad. For best results, try to use it up within a couple of weeks. Since whipped cream has a delicate flavor and includes fat, it's susceptible to picking up flavors from other foods you're storing in your freezer, especially if you don't put it in an airtight container.

To extend the life of your frozen whipped cream, use a sealed container like a freezer bag (double bag for extra security) or freezer-safe containers meant for leftovers. Don't take it out unless you plan to use it, since it thaws very quickly, and whipped cream only lasts about two hours max at room temperature. If you experience a power outage, the food in your freezer will last about 24 hours if it's half full and 48 hours if it's completely full, since the frozen foods act as ice packs that keep each other cold. However, since it spoils so easily, consider using whipped cream straight away in this situation.

You can tell if your whipped cream is spoiled if it becomes watery or if the consistency otherwise changes. Dairy tends to get a strong foul odor when it goes bad, and whipped cream should be no different. If you suspect your whipped cream is spoiled, throw it out immediately. It's not worth risking foodborne illness, even if you just taste a bit to test.