Coconut Whipped Cream
Some of my favorite vegan recipes are those that replicate non-vegan recipes perfectly, without any strange or unhealthy ingredients or difficult cooking methods. That’s one of the reasons I love this coconut whipped cream!
With just three very simple ingredients (coconut, maple syrup, and vanilla), you can make this luscious coconut whipped cream that’s incredibly versatile and honestly tastes like the real thing! It’s just as simple as making dairy-based whipped cream and I can assure you that it doesn’t actually taste like coconut. If you haven’t tried a recipe like this before and you don’t like coconut, trust me when I say that there isn’t a strong coconut flavor and that you won’t regret it!
Table of Contents
What Is Coconut Whipped Cream?
Coconut whipped cream is like the magical unicorn of the dessert world – fluffy, dreamy, and downright enchanting! Canned coconut milk is transformed into a luscious, cloud-like, creamy whip. It’s the perfect plant-based alternative to classic whipped cream that’s made from heavy whipping cream. It’s both dairy-free and vegan and only requires a few ingredients to make.
Ingredient Notes
- Full-fat coconut milk: Make sure that the can is full fat coconut milk or cream, not just regular coconut milk in a carton. Sometimes the cans don’t actually specify this information, even if it is full fat. This isn’t very helpful for those who haven’t used this product before, so as a rule, stay away from any coconut milk that has the word “light” on the can because it won’t be rich enough to whip up into a thick cream.
- Maple syrup: Adds natural sweetness to the whipped cream. You can also add agave syrup instead or even granulated sugar as needed.
- Vanilla extract: For a slight vanilla aroma that helps mask the natural bean flavor of aquafaba, a little vanilla extract goes a long way.
How to Make Coconut Whipped Cream
In order to make coconut whipped cream, you first need to place a 13.5 oz (400ml) can of full fat coconut milk in the fridge. - When it’s time to whip up, flip the can of coconut milk upside. Open the can and you’ll see the coconut water on top. Discard or save the water for another recipe. Now you have all the hard coconut cream left in the can to use.
- Add the coconut cream to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the maple syrup and vanilla extract, the let it whip on high speed until it becomes silky and fluffy.
- If you’re not indulging in it right away, pop it in the fridge for safekeeping, but serve as soon as possible.
In order to make coconut whipped cream, you first need to place a 13.5 oz (400ml) can of full fat coconut milk in the fridge. 
Recipe Tips
The thing about this recipe is that you do need to plan one day ahead to make it because the coconut milk needs to be completely chilled for at least 24 hours. I find sometimes this can be an inconvenience, so one of the best tips I’ve learned is to always keep a can or two of full fat coconut milk in the fridge and that way you’ll be ready to make this vegan whipped cream on a whim!
Use a good quality coconut milk or coconut cream. I always have really great success with the Thai Kitchen brand and also the Whole Foods 365 brand. I like these because they have very simple ingredients and turn out perfectly every time. Another note that there should only be a few ingredients in the coconut milk. These ingredients are typically coconut, water, and guar gum. Some brands add strange fillers and these ingredients interfere with the process of making the whipped cream. Avoid cans with ingredients like “coconut extract” because it might not whip!
Best Time To Serve
I recommend making this coconut whipped cream just before serving, if possible. If that’s not possible, you can make it a short time before you’re serving it and store the bowl in the fridge until you’re ready. You might need to whip it again just before serving if it gets a bit firm. My suggestion is not to make it hours before serving it because the whipped cream will become very firm, just like how firm the cream was in the can. It might not whip back to a nice consistency again after that.
Coconut is an incredibly versatile ingredient that offers a multitude of benefits, and this whipped cream is just another wonderful way to use this amazing food. Enjoy!
Why You Should Chill The Coconut Milk
The reason you have to refrigerate the coconut milk is that you will only be using the coconut cream. When coconut milk is chilled, the coconut cream and coconut water completely separate (which I find so cool!) and the cream rises to the top.
Once it’s chilled, the easiest way to remove the cream is the turn the can upside down and then open it. When you open the can, the coconut water will now be on top. Pour it out because you won’t be using it. You can discard it but I prefer to save it and use it for smoothies because it is highly nutritious and you can prevent food waste.
Now all you’re left with is the thick, rich coconut cream (what whipped cream dreams are made of!).
How to Use This Coconut Whipped Cream
There are so many different recipes that pair perfectly with this whipped cream. Use it anywhere you would use dairy-based whipped cream! Not only will the vegans in your life love it, but those who have dairy allergies or avoid dairy or just love good desserts will adore this recipe. The people who don’t have to avoid dairy won’t even know that it’s vegan.
You can put this coconut whipped cream on fruit or pair it with desserts like cakes and pies (it’s SO good with pumpkin pie). One of my favorite recipes that my mom and I would make as a kid was a cake that was similar to strawberry shortcake. It would have fresh strawberries and whipped cream on top. I’ve now made the vegan version of this cake a few times using this dairy-free whipped cream recipe and it is seriously to die for.
Aside from desserts, I love to incorporate it into breakfast recipes like chia puddings, parfaits, pancakes, waffles, granola, coffee lattes, and so much more. The possibilities are endless. If you love dessert and love to bake regularly, I assure you this will become a go-to recipe for you.
What About Other Types of Vegan Whipped Cream?
It’s getting easier to find vegan whipped cream in grocery stores from brands like So Delicious (Coco Whip) and Soyatoo (Soy Whip). You can also make whipped cream from aquafaba (chickpea brine)!
What’s great about aquafaba and coconut whipped cream recipes are that they’re quite accessible to people who may otherwise have a hard time finding a vegan whipped cream in their area. And you also get the satisfaction of making a delectable topping all on your own—especially great for impressing your loved ones during dessert (or breakfast) time!
Whichever way you decide to go with your whipped cream, use liberally and snap your food pics quickly!
FAQ’s
The main ingredient needed to make coconut whipped cream is either full-fat coconut milk or coconut cream. Both can be found canned in the International aisle of large supermarkets. Sweetness is added to the mix with either maple syrup, powdered sugar, or granulated sugar and a splash of vanilla extract for flavor.
One important note is that you want this mixture to stay as cold as possible so that it doesn’t deflate and turn back to liquid. If you’re working in a hot kitchen, I definitely suggest chilling your bowl in the freezer for a few minutes minimum. This will ensure that the cream stays at a nice cold and consistent temperature. Same goes for the coconut cream. It needs to be well chilled before whipping in order to hold its shape.
Coconut Whipped Cream (3-Ingredients)
Ingredients
- 1 400-ml can full-fat coconut milk
- 2 tablespoon maple syrup
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
Instructions
- The day before you want to make this recipe, place the can of coconut milk in the fridge overnight.
- When you’re ready to make the recipe, turn the can of coconut milk upside down. Open the can and you will find coconut water on top. Discard the water or save it for another recipe.
- Transfer all of the firm coconut cream to the bowl of a stand mixer.
- Add the maple syrup and vanilla to the bowl and whip on high-speed until it’s smooth and fluffy.
- Store it in the fridge if you’re not serving right away, but serve as soon as possible.
Nutrition
Coconut whipped cream photos by Kathy Chrzaszcz for World of Vegan. Recipe and photographs copyright of World of Vegan™, all rights reserved.
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This looks so delicious! I had a store bought one but it didn’t last long and was not as creamy as I would want it, so excited to try this one out.
OMG this looks so good! I’ve been adding coconut milk to my smoothies and coffee so I’m excited to try this whipped cream out and into the mix!
Yum! This was tasty!
I couldn’t believe how luscious this is! It’s amazing how you can make something so decadent in just a few minutes! Yum!
Coconut whipped cream is such a game-changer! Add to any simple dessert and it becomes a show stopper 🙂
It still amazes me how we can make vegan alternatives to all our favorite dairy products using plants! This vegan coconut whipped cream is magic!
Coconut whipped cream is the best whipped cream!! So good on pie or even cookies 🙂