How to Make Flavored Whipped Cream 18 Ways, From Coffee to Saffron

Whipped cream complements so many desserts. And, when you make flavored whipped cream, you're upgrading the classic and adding another layer of flavor. A wide variety of ingredients can be used to flavor whipped cream, and many, like coffee beans, peanut butter, honey, and dried spices, are probably already in your pantry. The method for flavoring whipped cream is easy; not so different from making regular whipped cream, though sometimes you may need to let the ingredients sit together in the refrigerator before whipping.

Often, whipped cream is generously dolloped over a finished dessert, and adding a complementary or contrasting flavor to the cream will take it up a notch. Sometimes it is part of the recipe, like chocolate mousse, where the cream is folded into the chocolate base to keep the dessert light and airy. Wouldn’t it be fun to sneak in a unique flavor to desserts like this by using a flavored whipped cream? Ahead, learn how to make whipped cream with some of your favorite flavors.

How to Make Flavored Whipped Cream

There are two main ways to flavor whipped cream.

Infuse: The first is to infuse the ingredient into the cream by allowing the two to steep together in the refrigerator for several hours.

Mix in: The second is to simply mix the ingredients into the heavy cream as it whips. 

Most of the flavored whipped cream ideas we're sharing here provide a subtle accent to the whipped cream, so choose flavors that will complement what you plan to use the whip for. For example, if you want to dollop whipped cream over individual pots of chocolate pudding, a coffee-flavored whipped cream would be a delicious choice. Piling it on top of a light and airy berry pavlova? Consider enhancing the fruity flavor with a berry-infused cream. Now, choose a flavor to try.

Give It Coffee Flavor

Coffee is the secret ingredient for many chocolate desserts, since it brings out the chocolate’s depth of flavor. So, coffee-flavored whipped cream is perfect for chocolate desserts, from the most simple to the more complex. We like to use the steeping method for flavoring coffee whipped cream: 

1. Combine ½ cup whole coffee beans (or ⅓ cup coarsely ground for a more intense flavor) with 1 cup of heavy cream.
2. Cover and let steep in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours.
3. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing to extract as much of the flavor as possible, before whipping.

Choose Chocolate

Chocolate whipped cream is a crowd pleaser, and it can pair with anything from berry and citrus desserts to standard chocolate and vanilla treats. To infuse whipped cream with chocolate flavor, you do have to apply some heat, so this method differs a bit from the rest. Essentially, you start by making a chocolate ganache by pouring warmed cream over chocolate to melt, before whipping it to soft peaks. 

1. Make a ganache using a ratio of 1 cup of heavy cream to 2 ounces of finely chopped semisweet or bittersweet chocolate.
2. Let it cool completely (at least 6 hours in the refrigerator), then whip it up and use it to frost cakes, cupcakes, and more.

Go Zesty With Citrus

Amp up the tart factor for citrus desserts using a citrus-infused whipped cream. The easiest method is to steep citrus peel in the cream. It’s a great complement to fruity desserts, but depending on the type of citrus you use, it can work for other things too—lime whipped cream pairs well with coconut desserts, and orange goes perfectly with all things chocolate. 

Using a vegetable peeler, remove the zest from 1 citrus fruit (oranges, limes, lemons, grapefruit, yuzu, etc.)

1. Combine the peel with 1 cup of heavy cream.
2. Cover and let steep in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours.
3. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to extract as much of the flavor as possible before whipping.

Add Color and Flavor With Berries

Freeze-dried berries pack a huge flavor punch in desserts—they are better for flavoring whipped cream than fresh fruit, since their flavor is much more condensed. 

1. In a food processor or blender, grind ¼ cup of freeze-dried berries for each cup of heavy cream you plan to use.
2. Whip the cream until it has almost reached the right consistency. Then, add the ground berries and whip until just incorporated.

Go Classic With Vanilla Bean

Odds are that you already add a splash of vanilla extract to your whipped cream. Even though it’s an expected flavor, it can still be a great one. Try experimenting with fresh vanilla bean seeds and vanilla paste; both are more flavorful than extract. 

1. Whip the cream until it has almost reached the right consistency, then add the paste or seeds and whip until just incorporated. Use the seeds from 1 vanilla bean or 1 tablespoon of vanilla paste for each cup of heavy cream.

Add Tang With Sour Cream

We use sour cream in all kinds of desserts, from cheesecake to layer cakes. It tamps down the overall sweetness, especially with whipped cream. Pile it high over lemon custard pie or pair it with your favorite strawberry shortcake recipe.

Use 1/3 cup sour cream to each 1 cup of heavy cream and whip as you would for regular whipped cream.

Make It Decadent With Peanut Butter

A great way to make whipped cream more decadent is to flavor it with creamy peanut butter. It gives it the sweet and salty flavor we all know and love. Use it with berry desserts for a PB&J effect or use it as a layer in banana cream pie. 

1. Place 1 cup of heavy cream and ¼ cup of creamy peanut butter in the mixer bowl.
2. Whip them together until they reach soft, spreadable peaks.
   

Sprinkle In Lavender

This floral-scented whipped cream is perfect for summer desserts such as fresh fruit paired with pound cake or Eton mess. Since it is cold-steeped, the flavor isn’t quite delicate. 

1. Combine 1 tablespoon dried culinary lavender with 1 cup of heavy cream.
2. Cover and let steep in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours.
3. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to extract as much of the flavor as possible before whipping.

Take it to the next level by garnishing the serving plate with edible flowers.

Go Golden With Saffron

Not only does saffron add a mildly floral and earthy flavor to whipped cream, but it also gives it a gorgeous golden hue. To get the full effect, warm the saffron with some of the cream before chilling it and adding the rest of the dairy. Serve it with poached fruit like pears or peaches. 

1. Heat ¼ cup heavy cream and a pinch of saffron threads in a small saucepan over medium-low heat, just until bubbles start to form around the edges.
2. Transfer to a bowl and let cool completely in the refrigerator (at least 6 hours), then stir in another ¾ cup of cream.
3. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to extract as much of the flavor as possible before whipping.

Add a Fresh Touch With Mint

There are two ways to get minty flavor in whipped cream. You can either use fresh mint leaves or mint extract. Whichever you choose, mint whip is great with all kinds of chocolate desserts. 

Fresh Mint

1. Combine ½ cup of fresh leaves with 1 cup of heavy cream.
2. Cover and let steep in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours.
3. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing to extract as much of the flavor as possible, before whipping. 

Mint Extract

Add just a drop or two of mint extract to the whipped cream at the very end of whipping. Be careful, as a little goes a long way with this extract.

Sweeten With Honey

Instead of sugar, you can use other sweeteners, like honey, to sweeten whipped cream for an even more delicious result. The honey also adds a subtle floral note.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of honey for every cup of heavy cream, incorporating it into the whip during the last few seconds.

It’s delicious dolloped over apple pie at the holidays. 

Give a Caramel Flavor With Maple Syrup

Similar but subtly different from honey whipped cream, that's maple syrup. whipped cream. Use a good-quality syrup with a robust, slightly caramelized flavor.

Add 1-2 tablespoons of maple syrup for every cup of heavy cream, incorporating it into the whip during the last few seconds of mixing.

It’s wonderful on top of pecan pie. 

Boost It With Almond

Almond liqueurs like Amaretto are a fun way to add an instant boost to whipped cream—and provide a much-needed post-dinner pick-me-up. Use between 1 and 3 tablespoons of liqueur for each cup of cream, depending on how subtle or strong you want the almond taste to be.

1. Whip the cream until it reaches loose peaks.
2. Add the liqueur and continue mixing until it reaches the desired consistency. 
   

Add Hazelnut for an Elegant Touch

Adding Frangelico or another hazelnut liqueur is another way to turn whipped cream into an elegant statement. Any dessert made with chocolate-hazelnut spread could use a spoonful or two. As with making almond whipped cream, add up to 3 tablespoons of hazelnut liqueur for each cup of heavy cream.

1. Whip the cream until it reaches loose peaks.
2. Add the hazelnut liqueur and continue mixing until the cream reaches the proper consistency. 

Make It Cozy With Warming Spices

When the cooler months roll around, we shift into pumpkin spice mode. Grab a small handful of mixed warming spices (cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, allspice pods, cracked cardamom pods) for each cup of heavy cream. The resulting whip is ideal for a classic pumpkin pie. 

1. Combine the spices and cream, cover, and let steep in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours.
2. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to extract as much of the flavor as possible before whipping.

Add Warmth With Fresh Ginger

Similar to the warm spiced whipped cream, fresh ginger adds a slightly spicy element alongside the warmth. Steep it the same way as the warming spices, and serve it with fresh or poached fruit or our five-spice-flavored pumpkin pie. 

Balance the Sweet With Salt

It’s almost always imperative to add a little bit of salt to sweet recipes—it helps bring out the existing flavors in the dessert. The same is true for whipped cream. Add 1-2 teaspoons of kosher salt for every cup of heavy cream in the last few seconds of whipping. Include some sugar, as usual, and watch as it turns sweet treats into something far more complex. 

Punch It Up With Black Pepper

Black pepper can add a subtle punch to your favorite desserts, much like adding a chili pepper would do. It pairs wonderfully with fresh fruit, especially summer berries. 

1. Combine ½ teaspoon of freshly ground black pepper with 1 cup of heavy cream.
2. Cover and let steep in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours and up to 8 hours.
3. Strain through a fine-mesh sieve, pressing to extract as much of the flavor as possible before whipping.

How Long Does Flavored Whipped Cream Last?

Freshly whipped cream is best the same day, but it can be transferred to an airtight container and stored in the refrigerator for 3 to 5 days. If it starts to lose its airiness, transfer it to a clean bowl and gently whip it with a whisk until it has some body again.