National Whipped Cream Day
Top off desserts with a dollop of creamy indulgence, adding a touch of decadence to every bite and turning ordinary moments into pure delight.
Picture the scene: you have been cooking some delicious pancakes for yourself and your family to enjoy for breakfast or brunch.
Some family members smother their pancakes in butter maple syrup, while others prefer to eat them with a pile of cut fruit. But the thing is, you know that you want something different.
So, you decide to bring out some whipped cream and gently apply a beautiful dollop to the top of your pancakes.
All of a sudden, the room goes silent. It is at this point that you know you have stumbled upon the perfect accompaniment to a stack of pancakes. And now, everyone wants to get in on that whipped cream game too!
There is no denying that whipped cream has the power to transform many different sweet treats, desserts and even hot drinks. The sheer simplicity of it has the power to turn almost anything into a culinary work of art.
Now it is time to celebrate the very essence of whipped cream on this day, National Whipped Cream Day!
History of National Whipped Cream Day
For those who have never sampled the delight that is whipped cream, they have certainly missed out on something great!
In a nutshell, whipped cream is a type of sweetened cream that gets “whipped” by a whisk or mixer until it becomes light and fluffy. The air that is added through the whipping process creates something that is altogether unique and delightful.
To achieve the best results, a cream that contains no lower than 35% fat is getting whipped. The process of creating whipped cream is simple, involving either a hand whisk or mechanical agitation with a high-speed mixer, although hand whisking would certainly be a lot of work.
While some people prefer the plain taste of whipped cream, others take things a stage further. It is often possible to find whipped cream that is flavored with ingredients such as cinnamon sugar, vanilla, or chocolate.
Today, there are also dairy-free variants of whipped cream for people who struggle with lactose intolerance or do not eat dairy for other reasons. Most of these are marketed as vegan-friendly and can still be delicious.
Many people might think that whipped cream is a relatively modern culinary invention. But, believe it or not, the origins of this tasty treat date back to the 16th century!
The earliest known evidence of whipped cream appears in the form of recipes that hail from 1549. An Italian Renaissance cook, Cristoforo di Messisbugo, listed whipped cream as an ingredient in one of his recipes.
His cookbook, Banchetti, Composizioni di Vivande e Apparecchio Generale, refers to something called “milk snow”, which is believed to be a primitive form of whipped cream.
Throughout the 16th and 17th centuries, whipped cream was also known as “snow cream”, which is a delightful and endearing term for it. The earliest known literary references to whipped cream seem to date back to 1629 in France (crème fouettée) and 1673 in England.
National Whipped Cream Day is actually a nod to pay homage to the birthday of Reddi-wip founder Aaron Lapin, who was born on this day more than a century ago, in 1914.
It was in 1948 that he invented Reddi-wip, which is now one brand name of the aerosol canned version of sweetened whipped creams and also non-dairy whipped toppings.
How to Celebrate National Whipped Cream Day
Get on board with enjoying National Whipped Cream Day using these ideas and more:
Enjoy a Dollop of Whipped Cream
Some people might need a dessert to enjoy whipped cream on top of, but others might be happy just to turn the Reddi-wip can upside down and squirt it into their mouths!
Even folks who would not normally partake in dessert can use this day as an excuse to celebrate.
Plop a spoonful on top of a stack of pancakes, inside a rolled up crepe, on the side of a piece of chocolate cake or in a variety of other ways.
Choose fresh whipping cream made at home or enjoy the premade versions. No matter what, the right way to celebrate this day will certainly include taking part in a breakfast, lunch or dessert that includes whipped cream!
Use Whipped Cream in a Favorite Recipe
Adding whipped cream to various recipes can change the whole thing into something more glorious. Try out these ideas for recipes that include whipped cream, whether of the homemade variety or in a frozen non-dairy form:
- Lemon Curd Mousse. One simple dessert that will impress guests uses a jar of lemon curd (an English treat) that is carefully combined with a bowl full of sweetened whipped cream. Serve with fresh berries.
- Fluff Salad. Quick and easy, this fruit salad makes a refreshing side dish or dessert that’s especially easy to put together for the hot summer months. It uses fruit, mini-marshmallows, nuts, coconut and, of course, whipped cream.
- Oreo Trifle. Make it with Oreos or really any type of cookies. Trifles are easy to put together and don’t require baking. Simply layer whipped cream with cookies, pudding, fruit and more.
- Chocolate Cream Pie. Well, it doesn’t actually have to be chocolate! Peanut butter, coconut cream, or Key Lime pie. Really, any cream pie will do, as long as it is piled high with a huge dose of sweetened whipped cream right on top.
National Whipped Cream Day FAQs
Did people ever make whipped cream by hand?
Yes, before modern mixers, whipping cream was a laborious task done by hand.
In the 1600s, cooks used whisks made from willow branches to achieve the desired fluff.
The process took so long that it became a luxury treat for the wealthy, with servants or kitchen staff dedicating time solely to whipping cream.
What is the French “Brotherhood of Cream Whippers”?
In France, La Confrerie des Chevaliers Fouetteurs de Crème Chantilly is a unique society dedicated to perfecting whipped cream.
This “Brotherhood of Knights” considers Chantilly cream, a sweetened version of whipped cream, an art form.
Members wear medieval attire for annual events celebrating this dessert.
Why was non-dairy whipped topping first invented?
Interestingly, non-dairy whipped topping was created as a health-focused alternative.
Ella Eaton Kellogg, a health enthusiast, invented it using almond butter and egg whites to offer a lower-fat substitute for traditional whipped cream.
What role did Henry Ford play in whipped cream history?
Henry Ford’s interest in soybeans during the Great Depression led to experiments that would eventually create soy-based whipped toppings.
His efforts to help farmers and find alternative food products indirectly popularized non-dairy whipped cream during World War II.
Who actually invented aerosol whipped cream?
Although Bunny Lapin popularized whipped cream in a can, Charles Getz, a University of Illinois student, discovered the pressurized can technique by accident in the 1930s.
He initially used carbon dioxide, but later switched to nitrous oxide for a better flavor and texture.
Are there savory versions of whipped cream?
Yes! Some chefs add herbs like basil or even truffle oil to make savory whipped cream, which is used as a topping for dishes like soups or pasta.
This version offers a twist on the typical dessert topping and has found popularity in gourmet cooking.
Do other countries celebrate whipped cream differently?
In Japan, whipped cream often appears in fluffy pancake recipes and as fillings in various pastries.
Meanwhile, in Italy, it’s common to see whipped cream paired with espresso, creating a treat called “Espresso con Panna”.
What was whipped cream originally called in England?
Early English recipes referred to whipped cream as “snow cream.” This term was likely inspired by its light, airy texture and appearance, resembling freshly fallen snow.
How does National Whipped Cream Day inspire social media trends?
People often share fun whipped cream-themed pictures and videos.
Some even participate in the “whipped cream challenge,” where they flip a spoonful of whipped cream off their hand and try to catch it in their mouth—adding a playful element to the day.
Did whipped cream in cans face any challenges?
Early canned whipped cream products faced issues with spoilage. Only after the invention of nitrous oxide propellant did they achieve the stable, tasty product we know today.
Bunny Lapin’s Reddi-wip was among the first to solve this, becoming a household staple in the 1950s.
Need some inspiration?
Check out these videos for some extra inspiration in getting involved!
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