I have the perfect dairy-free topping for you! It’s my Coconut Whipped Cream, and it’s delicious. If you’ve given up dairy and are still hankering for something creamy to smother your desserts in this recipe is your answer! It’s not quite as airy as regular whipped cream, but it is close and has a wonderful, rich flavor. It’s my dairy-free topping of choice and will pair nicely with dairy-free desserts such as Paleo Pumpkin Pie and Paleo Chocolate Pecan Pie. Just like regular whipped cream, it pipes quite nicely, and doesn’t have the funky flavor of other milk and dairy substitutes. I also like to use it as a dairy-free frosting on my Paleo Chocolate Cupcakes.
Please note that this dairy-free whipped cream recipe calls for full-fat canned coconut milk. The fat is what makes the recipe creamy and luscious; light coconut milk won’t work and results in a watery mess.
There is a fairly big discrepancy between different brands of coconut milk. I have found that the Native Forest
brand is the most reliable when it comes to a rich and thick cream, which is the most important component of this recipe. I have tried using other brands of organic coconut milk and have had not had success in getting the cream to separate from the coconut water. When the cream doesn’t rise to the top of the can, it’s not possible to make this recipe, so be mindful of the brand you choose.
I don’t think this recipe will turn out with homemade coconut milk, but if you try that and it works, please leave a comment and let us know!
Coconut Whipped Cream
Ingredients
- 1 13.5 ounce can full fat coconut milk,
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 5 drops vanilla stevia
- 1 pinch of celtic sea salt
Instructions
- Place the can of coconut milk in the refrigerator at least 24 hours before making the whipped cream, so it is well chilled
- Chill a metal bowl in the freezer for 15 minutes
- Take the coconut milk out of the refrigerator and remove the lid
- Gently scoop out the coconut fat, placing it in the chilled bowl
- Pour the remaining liquid into a glass jar and store in the refrigerator, saving it for another use
- Using a hand blender, whip the coconut milk fat until light and fluffy, about 1 minute
- Whip in the honey, vanilla extract, stevia, and salt
- Use right away or store in a glass jar in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours
Equipment
I frequently use this Coconut Whipped Cream in place of Homemade Whipped Cream on my dairy-free desserts. The boys however, enjoy the real thing and I will be providing a recipe for that in the near future. I do have a recipe for Whipped Cream Frosting that uses dairy that my boys make quite often to top my Paleo Vanilla Cupcakes. My younger son likes to top that combo with strawberries and make a shortcake type cupcake which is pretty amazing. Of course, if you’re following a dairy-free diet, try topping any of my Paleo Cupcakes with this dairy-free whipped cream and some strawberries.
My Paleo Crepes recipe from Paleo Cooking from Elana’s Pantry is amazing with this dairy-free topping. Use this Coconut Whipped Cream along with my Cherry Berry Syrup to create a healthy, yet decadent Paleo brunch by combining those three recipes into one crowd pleasing delight!
When you make this super easy recipe what will you serve it with?
Angie Lee says
Hello Elana
I am from Malaysia, are your recipe books available for online purchase?
thank you.
kind regards
Angie Lee
Elana says
Angie, yes they are :-)
Carlene Wilson says
Elana I love your recipes!
Am going paleo here at my house and I am feeling so much better!
Thank you
Carlene W.
Elana says
Carlene, happy to help!
Carlene Wilson says
We are goin paleo!
My husband and I cant wait to try this!
A BIG THANK YOU!!!
Carlene Wilson
Elana says
You’re welcome Carlene!
Cynthia says
I tried whipping Thai brand coconut milk and got nothing – then I did some research and found out that if it has Guar gum in the product it will not whip- Native Forest doesn’t have any thickeners in it
Elana says
Thanks Cynthia!
Sheree says
I do not have a metal Bowl. I have a great recipe for one minute mayo that uses an immersion blender in a mason jar and it works great. Do you think this recipe might work that way?
Elana says
Sheree, feel free to experiment!
N says
Natures Charm makes a coconut whip cream in a navy blue/white can.
Available at Meijer. I found it with the almond, soy, dry, milk area.
Put can In the fridge, til cold.
Open, pour into deep bowl, whip for 3 minutes, add vanilla and stevia.
Delicious.
Elana says
N, thanks for pointing that out :-)
Whitley says
Have you ever tried adding pureed fruit such as strawberries for added flavor? Wondering if it would turn out? Wanting to pair it with your paleo strawberry cupcakes.
Thank you!
Elana says
Whitley, I haven’t tried that, if you experiment I hope you’ll let us know how it goes :-)
Esther says
I just tried this recipe today. I was doubtful of such a specific recipe because I tend to be a “use what I got on hand” type of girl. It turned out great! I put fresh mango purée in the freezer for a few minutes before whisking everything together. I also used some lime peel and no stevia (never have that on hand!!) The coconut cream I used was Trader Joe’s (because, you guessed it, that’s what I had). Thanks for this awesome recipe. Definitely will be a staple in our home
Elana says
Esther, thanks for letting me know that this Whipped Cream is awesome!
Bernadette says
Esther, so you used coconut cream instead of coconut milk?
Elana says
Bernardette, thanks for your comment! Coconut cream is the same as coconut milk fat :-)
Veronica says
Trader Joe’s coconut cream is the best!
Nancy says
That’s great that the fresh puree worked. I would have suggested trying freeze dried (very powdery) fruit to mix in so that the whipped cream isn’t being watered down. I haven’t actually tried it yet, since I tend to like my whipped cream “old school” and just plain. :) Although one of these days I might add in rose water instead of vanilla extract. Would go great with a chocolate dessert! Since coconut cream is so expensive, I usually just make this once a year, with pumpkin pie. So I like regular whipped cream for that. Although I think mango would be fantastic paired up with pumpkin pie!
Elana says
Thanks Nancy!