How to Make Coconut Whipped Cream
An easy, step-by-step recipe for how to make coconut whipped cream! Perfect for topping vegan and non-dairy desserts.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Total Time 10 minutes
Servings: 6 (1/4-cup servings)
Category:
Vegan
Cuisine:
Dessert, Vegan
Freezer Friendly
No
Does it keep?
1-2 Weeks
Ingredients
- 1 14-ounce can coconut cream or full fat coconut milk* (Whole Foods 365 Full Fat brand* works best)
- 1/4 - 3/4 cup icing/powdered sugar (use organic to ensure vegan friendliness)
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract (optional)
Instructions
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Chill your coconut cream or coconut milk in the refrigerator overnight, being sure not to shake or tip the can to encourage separation of the cream and liquid. See notes for more insight / troubleshooting.
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The next day, chill a large mixing bowl 10 minutes before whipping.
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Remove the coconut cream or milk from the fridge without tipping or shaking and remove the lid. Scrape out the top, thickened cream and leave the liquid behind (reserve for use in smoothies).
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Note: if your coconut milk didn't harden, you probably just got a dud can without the right fat content. In that case, you can try to salvage it with a bit of tapioca flour - 1 to 4 Tbsp (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size)- during the whipping process. That has worked for me several times.
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Place hardened cream in your chilled mixing bowl. Beat for 30 seconds with a mixer until creamy. Then add vanilla (optional) and powdered sugar and mix until creamy and smooth - about 1 minute. Taste and adjust sweetness as needed.
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Use immediately or refrigerate - it will harden and set in the fridge the longer it's chilled. Will keep for up to 1 - 2 weeks!
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Coconut whipped cream is perfect for topping desserts like pie, hot cocoa and ice cream. It's also ideal for french toast, pie fillings, mousse, and even no-churn ice cream!
Notes
*Using coconut cream yields more coconut whipped cream than using full fat coconut milk, because it contains more cream and less liquid.
*Finding a good brand with consistent firmness is key! My go to is 365 Whole Foods Full Fat Coconut Milk. Ones that don't tend to work for me are: Trader Joe's (which has been reformulated), Thai Kitchen, or Native Forest.
*This is not my original recipe or concept, rather one I've adapted from other recipe developers.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated with the lesser amount of powdered sugar.
*Recipe makes ~1 1/2 cups coconut whipped cream.
Nutrition Per Serving (1 of 6 quarter-cup servings)
- Calories: 126
- Fat: 9.8g
- Saturated fat: 8.9g
- Sodium: 22mg
- Carbohydrates: 6.8g
- Sugar: 6.7g
- Protein: 0.9g
- Iron: 4%
Hi Dana,
I’ve been having a lot of trouble with coconut milk lately. Not separating, or separating but not getting that hard thick layer like I used to. I’ve done a lot of research trying to figure out what’s going on and found a suggestion to get coconut milk without any additives. I tried that this week, and the coconut milk was almost chunky curdled like after cooling for 24 hours. Are the days of decadent Peaky whipped coconut cream over? I’ve tried the coconut cream at Trader Joe’s but find it has a very off taste to me. Any advice?
Hmm, that’s so strange! The coconut cream at Trader’s does have a distinct taste but I happen to like it. The best brands for full fat coconut milk that I know of are Thai Kitchen and the 365 brand at Whole Foods. Also, have you tried the shake trick? If you pick it up at the store and it sloshes around, put it back and get another one that sounds solid! Hope that helps!!
One brand I’ve definitely had trouble with, as far as taste goes, is Goya which is made in Mexico. I’ve had the most luck with the coconut milks made in Thailand, like Thai Kitchen and Native Forest. These are both great for both coconut whipped cream and coconut popsicles. SO delicious!
Coconuts are from Perú.
Coconuts are not only from Peru.
I had coconuts growing outside my home in Thailand & the most coconuts produced in the world are from Indonesia.
We had coconut trees in our yard in Hawaii!!!
Coconuts come from all tropical regions. I live in Costa Rica and they are abundant to say the leaset..yummy
Yes of course you have coconut in all this countries. But is because the Incas from the Incas Empiere from Perú. Traveled on ancient Incas ships and visit differents part of the world and took this fruit from the Amazon and share it whith others cultures. The origin of coconut and pineapples are from Peruvian Amazon. It is a very interesant fact.
So those coconuts we grow here in Florida are from Peru? Who knew.
Actually coconuts travel on their own mostly. Specifically designed to travel accross open salt water. They dont sprout until they reach land again. They are quite amazing seeds, they can survive thoudands of miles on open ocean traveling to other countries. Tracked with gps the coconuts get washed out to sea and float on the current and when they make landfall, detect temperature and fresh water access, and sunshine, they sprout! Its quite amazing.
I thought they were carried by African swallows (I’m a little late to this game)
Coconuts did not originate in Peru. They actually originated on the Indian subcontinent based on genetic assays and ecological evidence. They spread to the the Americas and Peru where the Europeans picked them up. They are however most native to India, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore and Pacific Islands. Followed by Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii and South America. From there, they have believed to have spread to the rest of the world.
-Plant Botanist for 12years :)
Sources:
Werth, E. (1933). Distribution, Origin and Cultivation of the Coconut Palm. Ber. Deutschen Bot. Ges., vol 51, pp. 301–304. (article translated into English by Dr. R. Child, Director, Coconut Research Scheme, Lunuwila, Sri Lanka)
Perera, Lalith, Suriya A.C.N. Perera, Champa K. Bandaranayake and Hugh C. Harries. (2009). “Chapter 12 – Coconut”. In Johann Vollmann and Istvan Rajcan (Eds.). Oil Crops. Springer
Abbott, edited by Craig R. Elevitch ; forewords by Isabella Aiona; Leakey, Roger R.B. (2006). Traditional trees of Pacific Islands : their culture, environment, and use (1st ed.). Hōlualoa, Hawaii: Permanent Agriculture Resources. ISBN 0970254458
OMG Melina thank you for that! I was waiting for it and giggling to myself reading through all of these replies.
Is this good 4 pina colada?
Yes. The authentic recipe for Pina Colada contains no dairy at all. In fact, the dairy milk repices are adaptations. All exotic countries will have an almost half and half content of coconut milk full fat and pineapple. I put a bit of pineapple juice with chunks of fresh pineapple in mine, some liquid cane sugar and rum. Typically both regular rum and coconut rum (Malibu or other). I like mine mild so I use just the Malibu and for the kids we make it virgin. Sometimes I prefer more coconutty and other times more pineapple-ey. You can experiment to see how you prefer it. You can blend it in a blender with crushed ice. It’s yummy any time of the year, even during a snow storm :p
I’m in Thailand now and their pinaCs are just pure pineapple and coconut fresh stuff…
“Native Forest” is a good brand . It is organic and is coconut cream . No separation use the whole can. Comes in 5.4oz can . Perfect to use for whipped cream or icecream.
This is what I use also. Have had great success with using it!
Hi Nancy,
I’m considering getting my first ice cream maker hopefully in the near future. What is your favourite ice cream recipe with coconut cream? THANKS!
Nikkie Loupe
I’ve always used the Suzi Wan brand and it’s the closest I could get to the real taste of coconut back home in Fiji. I live in France and my family loves the Suzi Wan brand. Both the cream and the milk don’t separate from the liquid. It’s the best ever that I have used.
A lot of coconut milk sold in shops are just coconut essence in emulsified water, so they will never thicken up. Its best to make your own milk, you get more from 1 coconut too!!
What is your coconut milking process? Thank you for sharing, i would love to learn. :)
Hahahaha. That is toooo freaking funny.
Also I had no idea what the comment was Re coconuts and African swallows lol.
So I looked it up. MONTY PYTHON !!!! Of course.
Too silly.
I use Thai Kitchen Organic Coconut milk and put the whole can (unopened of course) in coldest spot in my frig. I forgot about it for 24 hours and when I took it out and opened the can it was really white and firm. Plopped the “heavy cream” into a 4-cup measuring cup added less than 1 TBS cane sugar and 1/4 tsp vanilla and began to whip with my hand held Kitchen Aid mixer. It whipped up beautifully and tasted fabulous. I stored the remaining unused and sweetened cream in the back of my frig-the coldest spot Next day added a dollop to our blackberry/blueberry morning smoothie and it still was great and had more left over so stored in frig for later. The coconut water I froze to add at some point to smoothies.
Great!Thanks for sharing! Mine usually keeps in the refrigerator for up to 1 week, sometimes more!
Thank you for this….I was going to ask how to not use powdered sugar which we avoid! I do have organic cane (beige) so will use that!
You can make your own powdered sugar using the sugar you have a sticking it in the blender for 15 seconds or so.
Thank you Kristy, I’ll do that next time as the raw cane sugar didn’t work …..the coconut cream had more body before the whip and could’ve been spread thick on its own!
Carolyn, thank you for relating to us your many creative ways you have used the Thai Kitchen organic coconut milk (not cream, hmm? Huh!) and how you sweetened & whipped it & then used it, day by day, in so many various ways, ending up with freezing the leftover coconut water to use later for smoothies.
You are quite a versatile lady in the kitchen! At this point, I am convinced that you have abundant creative capabilities with food and cooking, and that you are simply brilliant in the kitchen!
Thanks again Carolyn, I really do appreciate your ideas w/ the coconut milk/cream and your versatility in dealing with it.
Trader’s Joe’s “coconut” milk has many additives. It’s not pure at all….
You can just use another one in that case! Thanks Emily.
They have an organic one that’s pure.
The coconut cream in the can shown here is more natural than you might think. You just need to understand what the ingredients actually are. This product contains: coconut, sodium carboxymethylcellulose, xanthan gum and water. Coconut and water need no explanation. Sodium carboxymeylcellulose is the fancy term for cellulose gum, which is a type of fiber that is made by using an altered acetic acid (vinegar) to strip the cellulose from plants, so that it can be used to thicken and add fiber to food products without cooking the whole plant matter into and straining it back out. (Like using store bought pectin instead of cooking a bunch of citrus peels and straining out the pectin yourself). And xanthan gum is a thickener made by allowing a very particular microorganism ferment certain types of sugars, which isn’t so different from allowing yeast to ferment juice into vinegar. If you really want to know what you are eating you seriously have to do some heavy research into what these ingredients really are.
Thank you for explanation!!! I have developed so many food allergies. It has become second job researching everything that is in my food. I love minimalist baker.com…. thank you thank you
Native Forest ‘Classic’ is the only way to go, according to moi. See if you don’t agree. Expensive and worth it. In NYC found in Fairway Markets, and Whole Foods. Watch for sales.@ $2.49!
I get Native Forest brand (none or few additives) easily through amazon prime….I live in Alaska.
You need to ensure that the coconut cream you buy does not have guar gum (an ingredient to stop the seperation) in it.
I tried the Coconut cream pie recipe, but made the mistake of using one can coconut cream and a plastic bottle of same, the latter put out by Real Gourmet. It was homogenized and highly sweetened, and when I finally bothered to look at the ingredients, had a lot of additives. I’ll retry with the canned brands you are recommending. The pie was still delicious, just too sweet. And a little more runny than I’d like.
The stuff by Real Gourmet is meant for making drinks, like coconut daquiris or pina coladas. It doesn’t harden or whip up at all. That was probably the reason for the runniness of your pie.
Thank you!
Hi Stepheni Can u make Gluten Free Banana Cake. Can we make it yesterday. Just bananas mix all the ingredients to add. Can ask the waitress. Thank u Clare Haradem by 36321 Oakview Ln. Avon Ohio 44011
What’s wrong with guar gum?
It’s an emulsifier, which keeps the cream and the water blended together – the coconut fat won’t separate out.
Another thing to look for is the % of coconut “extract” to water, which is listed in the ingredients on the brands that I have tried. The higher the amount of coconut extract, the more likely it will whip for you.
I’ve had good luck with Goldenstar canned coconut milk. It has no thickeners in it, just coconut milk and water, I find it at Safeway
My coconut (earths choice-organic) had congealed but also had some hardened chunks in it. Has anyone experience this?When I tried to whip it in my mixer it didn’t really work.
I know I’m a tad late to this conversation, but if you are lucky to have an Asian market close by, that is the best place to get coconut cream. I have been buying it for years from these great markets. The best thing is that it is all cream…no seperating! Another even better best thing is it tastes great because it comes in a Tetra Pak (cardboard box style), no can taste! The brand I get is usually from Thailand, they have a number of brands at the market I go to (Ranch 99). I buy the best price one. The brand in my fridge right now is Aroy-D. Hope that helps ?
Hello! I just bought a tetrapack of Aroy-D and I was a bit reluctant because this is the first time I’m making whipped cream with this type of cream. But I had no choice since the brand I usually buy was out of stock. I was worried since I thought it might not harden. Im more relieved now thanks to you
Try making your own coconut milk.
Coconuts are hugely expensive here where I live, probably more than 5 dollars for one in a shell. Do you live in a place where they are cheap? or are you saying to make it from dried coconut?
I use coconut cream from a can!
You need to find the closest Asian food market and go there. I always look for ones without all the preservatives and least water content possible. There’s also a carton that coconut cream comes in, that’s what I get. I have both carton and canned l on hand always but I always go to the international/Asian market for the coconut and coconut anything you want!
hi dear … try Native Forest organic coconut milk classic. i have achieved a great whipped cream with that one! stay away from cheap and popular brands and Carrageenan stuff. a good rule to follow is the ingredients on those cans or jars, if the ingredient has a difficult to spell name likely is something cheap the food industry use to trick nature’s food (and us) so they can save and produce more. puzzle me websites with awesome recipes that dont suggest organic ingredients as they are hundred times better for our health and environment. cheers.
I don’t know if you will see this but a lot of coconut creme has filler like gellum in it. Thankfully Trader Joe’s just introduced canned coconut milk without additives! Their only version was reduced fat, which basically means they water it down and you get only half of your money’s worth.
I buy Thia Kitchen brand at Walmart and it works well. It is nice and thick.
If you want this to be vegan you need to be careful/aware of what sugar you buy. Most of the processed sugars found in this country(including powdered sugars) are filtered through cow bone char which is how processed sugar gets so white. Here is a good article about it: https://www.vrg.org/journal/vj2007issue4/2007_issue4_sugar.php
To get around this, I went a thrift store and bought another electric coffee grinder, a small one. When I need powdered sugar I just add my regular granulated organic sugar in it and after pulsing it a few times it turns into powder.
I just do not want anybody to assume that powdered sugar us automatically vegan, which it may not be. There is organic powdered sugar but it is much harder to find and a lot more expensive.
Now I know what to do with my organic coconut sugar no one else will use at my house
What about coconut sugar? Does it have to have something done to it before you add it? Or, I’d like to add honey.
What you’ve got then is home-made fine sugar. To be powdered sugar you need to add cornstarch 1C sugar, 1 Tablespoon cornstarch.
Chowhound discussion said one could use potato starch or tapioca starch.
Which is why powdered sugar behaves differently than sugar, thickening in addition to sweetening. Trader Joes has an Organic Powdered Sugar w/tapioca starch I think
Unfortunately, Trader Joe’s has stopped making the coconut cream with the brown label. All they have now is organic with no thickening agents. The all nature with no additives is quite tasty for soups and baking or puddings, but really sucks for whip cream substitute. Regular coconut milk in the store is so expensive and you get so much less per can. I was wondering if anyone has tried or found a recipe to add thickening agents to canned coconut milk to make coconut cream? Or better yet, how are you making coconut cream now from Trader Joe’s brand? It separates and gets all clumped up and is a yucky texture. :( I complained but TJ’s said it had been discontinued.
I have had the exact same problem with the TJs coconut milk lately! I used to make coconut whipped cream with their stuff all the time but lately it has turned putnam clumpy every single time! Anyone know how to make it work??
Ah I’m going through this right now! Don’t know how to fix. :(
Whole Foods started selling it seperate
Is it possible to use a bullet blender to whip the coconut cream? I don’t have a handheld blender, just a whisk. I imagine I would have to scrape the blender and mix by hand, then start again; or do you think a handheld is the only, or best, way to create the whipped texture? Thank you!
Go for a coconut cream read your ingredients it should be 100% no water added no thickeners Ayam brand is suitable if available
I had this problem when I bought the “lite” version by accident. Maybe double check the label for full fat version.
Good tip!
I’ve found the same thing as Dana! Even when I put the cans in the fridge, the fat is not separating and rising to the top. I wonder if using the tapioca will make it work anyway? I thought it was just really fresh stuff than hadn’t had time to separate like the cans I had in my pantry for months. Maybe since this recipe has been posted, the stuff is flying off the shelves so fast that its almost FRESH when we’re buying it because they can hardly keep up with the demand! Not sure but its frustrating….. What do we do? I might try the tapioca tomorrow and see if it works. It must!
Since I discovered using coconut milk as a dairy alternative, I always keep at least two cans in my cabinent. When I want to make some ice cream or whipped cream, I buy two cans at the store and use the two older cans which usually have separated by then. If you don’t have space in your kitchen or extra funds to stock cans, I also agree with Dana’s shake-the-can test at the store. Usually the ones in the back that look dusty have separated.
When the coconut milk gets old, it separates and forms the solid. If you are looking for the separated old coconut milk, shake the can. The old can will not make a slosh noise. You are more likely to find the old cans in the grocery stores, not ethnic markets where people buy them more regularly. Also, choose the more expensive brand, it is likely to be sitting there longer and be separated. I’m always on the lookout for the fresher cans,but it’s good to know the old cans have a purpose too!
I used to buy coconut milk at chinese stores. They vary by taste and consistency even within the same brand. I recently bought one can at Trader Joe’s but haven’t had a chance to try it. I am holding it in my hand and shaking it like crazy. There is no splashing sound, seems like it is very thick. I doubt I would be disappointed with the taste, but am pretty sure I’ll get the right consistency. I will definitely try your recipe. Thanks for sharing it, Dana!
Can you make this with a raw coconut?
Do you mean with a young or green coconut or from the brown nut you buy in da store?bi live in Hawaii and. Gather the dry coconuts that have that dry outer husk. I cut it open with a machete , get out the meat and make my milk. For those in da mainland, just buy those brown coconuts, open with hammer and proceed to make. I ‘m just about to go make it with my coconut milk I made yesterday
**FOR THOSE HAVING TROUBLE WITH COCONUT MILK NOT SEPARATING**
Picked up this helpful hint from the blog Oh She Glows: “Grab a can of full-fat can coconut milk (without guar gum listed as an ingredient) – Update: Native Forest now puts guar gum in the ingredients and this causes the cream and water to emulsify which is not what we want. The can must also be full-fat because you will be whipping the solid cream. Do not use light coconut milk because it won’t turn out. In summary – look for a full-fat can of coconut milk that does not have guar gum listed on the ingredient list. Cool?”
I have found a no guar gum, non bpa, organic non-gmo brand of coconut milk that is delicious named Natural Value. Family owned and genuinely good peeps. The fat is there, they offer a light fat too, and it not only tastes as close to my homemade version I have found (I make a lot of homemade vegan yummies, including milks), but my body feels good after ingesting it too…
Hope this helps…
May you be blessed…
Very Cool!! Thanks for adding that. I am going to try this recipe for the topping on her Vegan, Gluten-free Chocolate Cheesecake for my Mom’s 80th birthday party on Sunday. Wish me luck!
Oh, forgot to say…Thanks Bea :)
Where can I find the recipe for this vegan, gluten-free, chocolate cheesecake??
Me too I can’t wait!!!!!! ❤️ I’ve made the cheesecake its in deep freeze hiding for Christmas ????
To add to what Bea mentioned, you definitely want coconut milk without guar gum which like she said Native Forest now contains. I’ve recently purchased cans of coconut milk (not light, and with out gum) and put them in the fridge to chill. I’ve always had a hard time getting all the cream out after doing this the few times I have made coconut whipped cream using an iSi whipper. What I did recently was take the cold cans out of the fridge and pour them into my Chemex with a Chemex filter in place. What you get is a very clear coconut water substance and cream left over at the top in the filter. If you spend a little time stirring it up, you can end up with a very dry coconut cream. I plan on making whip cream with this over Christmas weekend and believe this will work great. You can drink the coconut water that’s left over too. Now if you don’t have a Chemex, you could try a regular coffee filter over a jar or something similar. It takes a little bit of time so be patient :). Also the regular coffee filter may not be as structurally strong, so be careful mixing the mixture with your spoon. Good Luck!
Thanks, Craig, for mentioning the iSi whipper. My coffee shop offers lattes topped with whipped cream, but for the lactose intolerant, we use soy milk instead of real milk. Unfortunately, we have not been able to find a good commercial brand of non-milk-based whip for these folks. I’m guessing that using a “gold” coffee filter to separate the cononut water from the fat & solids (similar to draining off the whey to make yogurt cheese from yogurt), I’d let it drain until the top part is about the same consistency as heavy whipping cream, then mix in the sugar and vanilla, and into the iSi it goes. I’ll give it a try.
Hey Dana!
Made this coconut chantilly yesterday and it worked so well and it was delicious. Almost too easy to do, I’ll have to restrict myself from buying coconut cream… :).
I used the brand Trident if that can help someone.
Is it coconut cream or milk that is meant to be used ? I am getting confused ?
You want the cream from the can of full-fat coconut milk. The cream will rise to the top if enough time has passed (in your pantry or on store shelves) or if you put it in the fridge overnight.
This was delicious! My first try failed, it didn’t separate and it was more of a milk consistency. My second try was a success!, I used the Thai coconut milk and did the shaking trick, if it slushed too much I put it back, if the slush was more solid then it made it in the shopping cart after I got home I put the can in the fridge for a day, don’t shake it, you want it to separate, once you open the can it looks like coconut cooking solid oil, that’s is exactly what you want, leave the milky substance in the can.
I learned that the Vitamix might not be the best way to whip this. If you do use it, watch carefully. Turn your back and the heat from the Vitamix will ruin the cream you should have taken off before you turned your back! If it’s not too overdone, you can make it into a mousse by adding frozen fruit (to the vitiamix).
…and that should have been five stars!
I too only have a Vitamix.
What setting do you use?
Hi, I don’t like so much the powdered sugar. I’d prefer brow sugar. What can I use instead?
You can take cane sugar and whirl it into powder in a spice or coffee grinder.
Can we use coconut sugar or would that not work?
You can sub maple syrup! Not sure about coconut sugar…I would blend it into a powder if I were you. Best of luck!
Maple syrup is delightful. I use about 2-3 teaspoons.
Also, I find that the whipped coconut cream can have a bit of an off taste, but that can be handled by adding vanilla. Don’t be shy! I use 1-2 teaspoons, not 1/4-1/2 t.
Finally, I’ve had no problem using coconut cream with guar gum — it worked just fine. But, like another poster, I used a can that had been sitting in the fridge for a long time, not just overnight to chill. Maybe that gave it tons of time to separate.
Bon apetit!
Awesome Tip!
I do this with just a touch of honey or maple syrup or stevia. If you don’t want to add liquid, you could try powdered stevia. Just a pinch! I imagine the powdered sugar thickens it up a lot more than using a little honey, maple syrup or stevia though. Ours is not as thick, but it is delicious and not too sweet; so it pairs well over a sweeter dessert.
If I could make a brand suggestion for those of you having a hard time with their cans of coconut milk, I used to have that problem until I found the cans that are just pure coconut. I buy mine from the Asian store on a regular basis and never have to worry that some cans will be good and some will not. I use the brand Aroy-D and love it. I also recently discovered a brand called Savoy that uses pure coconut in the coconut cream, although I have not opened that can yet so I cannot say how the taste it.
Aroy-D is by far the best Coconut Milk and Coconut Cream, 100% Coconut with no additives. MMMMMMM! Can’t wait to try the recipe.
Thanks for the tip, Ellen!
I concur. Unfortunately it is probably only available in Asian Markets. I’ve never seen it in a regular grocery store. Usually much cheaper there also as they cater to their own community and not the general public.
Yeah, Aroy D is ridiculously cheap. $3.89/33 oz. at the local Asian market for me. THIS Has changed my life :) also I always have been buying coconut cream and just diluting it if I want something thinner. Saves money and if I want cream, I have it. :)
This is my first time making vegan whipped cream and I was wondering about the icing sugar. I know it says this recipe is vegan but I know regular white sugar isn’t vegan and icing sugar just comes from regular white sugar. Is there something else I should use? Or am I wrong? Thanks for your help.
Sugar is not made from an animal, so I think it would be considered vegan, no?
(Beet) Sugar may be processed through charred animal bone, thus it would not be vegan. Try looking for sugar that is marked Kosher as that would be vegan. You could use cane sugar, which is not usually processed in the same way.
It’s the other way around- beet sugar is never processed with bone char; cane sugar generally is.
If you’re worried about the integrity of your sugar, look for organic cane sugar and grind it into a powder using a spice or coffee grinder.
I use the Whole Foods brand of coconut milk and find that the milk fat separates every time! :)
Yes I agree with you Trader Joe’s is the BEST Would not use anything else………… and thanks for this recipe ………
easiest method…just put the whole can in the freezer. Use the entire can, no sugar, just a few drops of liquid stevia (can also use powdered stevia), and if you want, a few drops of flavoring (vanilla, coconut, rum).
Super simple…don’t have to separate anything and don’t have to worry about leftovers going to waste (for the forgetful)
Been doing it for years (all brands, it doesn’t matter) and never had a fail!
How long do you put it in the freezer? Does it ever separate after it sets for a bit? Thanks for the tip :)
I wouldn’t put it in the freezer at all.
thank you for the recipe. Finally don’t have to worry much about sugar,sodium or the total calories and also other ingredients which will be way higher in processed food. There will be some exceptions but still home made is different.
I was trying to make this tonight. And for some reason when I whipped the coconut cream. It didn’t go smooth it stayed chunky and more liquid came out of it. Any idea what would cause this to happen?
Hmm, your coconut cream/milk must’ve been old.
Why not the freezer? Thank you
Because the liquid will freeze and the fat may not separate.
Could I use maple syrup to sweeten the cream a bit? I don’t want to use powdered sugar or Stevia as I want to use this as a topping for my daughter’s first birthday cake. Thanks!
I think so, but it will make it a bit more runny.
Maple syrup is delightful. Just may not make a very stiff whipped cream, but mine had lovely soft peaks and was delicious!
Yes, I do this and just put a spoonful of honey or maple syrup in the chilled coconut milk (fatty part) to use as icing on cake or pie. It is sweet enough but you can add more if you need something super sweet like regular icing is. This method is not as stiff as I’m guessing it will be with powdered sugar; so it doesn’t stay in place as perfectly, but it works and is delicious. Now I want to buy the Trader Joe’s coconut cream.
Fantastic. I used the Aldi brand coconut milk they’ve been selling recently and it turned out perfectly.
Aildi is the best great cream first time d
Can I just use double cream and flavour it with coconut essence?!?!
Woohoo! Thanks so much for figuring this out and posting the recipe! I’ve been trying to figure out a great non-fat Greek yogurt alternative to regular whip and so far they’ve all been epic fails! Given the “good fat” in coconut milk, I think this is an awesome substitute!
Thanks for sharing! xoxo
I have the Thai Kitchen coconut milk but have noticed that it has guar gum in it. Is that going to be a problem making this recipe? I would just hate to open up the can to make this recipe and not have it come out right., and I would hate to waste it if it is not going to work.
No it should be fine! I actually prefer Thai Kitchen :D Just make sure it’s full fat!
Thank you so much for the reply…I will make it let you know how it turned out. Thanks again :)
I had the same problem as Noelle. I’m using Thai kitchen coconut cream and the date on the cans is good through the end of 2016. when I used the electric mixing whisk it got thin with little lumps throughout. I thought it might be the confectioners sugar but I only used 1 1/2 tbs.
What are your thoughts? Thanks!
That is so odd! I don’t think it’s the confectioner’s sugar – must be the coconut milk as it can be hit and miss…Sorry, I’m really not sure!
Great explanation! I was wondering, is there a way to use “Light Coconut Milk” and then add some kind of flour to make it thicker? I am trying to go as clean and raw as much as possible but would love to add this whipped cream to pies and any desserts. What would you recommend? Thanks so much! :D
I was hand whipping the cream and powdered sugar and it was coming along really nicely but I turned my back for a second and it curdled!!! What did I do wrong so I don’t do it again?
So weird! I’m not sure! Perhaps it was your coconut milk – it can be kind of finicky sometimes1
Problem with whipping cream or coconut cream it turns to butter or solid like butter when over whipped. It only takes a few seconds beyond mixing. It will turn solid on you and separate. If you use real cream can add 1/ 4 teaspoon Cream of Tarter, one of the oldest thickener around Helps hold structure together. But it will give off a metallic taste close to bitterness if you use to much over a teaspoon.
the serving size is 2 tbsp, how many will one can make
About 1 1/2 cups total.
Hi! I forgot to put the coconut cream in the fridge for 24 hours… Can I put it in the freezer for a little while and prepare it?
I have the same problem – anyone have an answer? How long does it take to separate in the freezer vs. the fridge?
I don’t know if putting it in the freezer works. I’ve never tried it and heard it doesn’t work.
DON’T DO IT! DON’T FREEZE IT! I made that mistake once, and ugh! What happened was that the water & cream of the coconut didn’t separate and just froze as one whole block, and the cream, when thawed, is very chunky and not smooth at all. Granted, I froze it at night (11 PM) and woke up at 5AM.
Can I use baking Stevi?
I only use Native Forest brand Classic organic coconut milk. No additives. Tastes great! Separates the cream from the liquid easily in the fridge. About half the can is cream. Perfect!
I was going to use this recipe for my daughter’s birthday cake. How well does it hold up to heat? Her party is going to be outdoors and I don’t want coconut-cream soaked cake! :)
It will hold up for a bit, but only frost it just before serving! OR, serve it on the side!
you said that using tapioca flour could help, but we don’t have to cook the tapioca flour to eat?
I really liked Trader Joes coconut cream. Whipped up well. I added cocoa powder and it was delicious. I saw now that they are adding xanthan gum which is considered to be iffy in terms of being a desirable additive. I will try some of the others.
Trader’s is still my fave. And it’s the most consistent in terms of quality!
Lots of these comments are referring to coconut milk. I think you need to make sure you’re using coconut cream. Coconut milk is good for curries. Coconut cream is different – has a much higher fat content- not nearly as runny and less separation. But don’t confuse ‘coconut cream’ with ‘cream of coconut’ which is a sweetened processed product like Coco Lopez which is often used to make piña coladas.
No it’s coconut milk. I make mine from homemade coconut milk
Can I do this with a blender too? My mixer is packed.
It should work! Not as well, but it’ll get the job done.
My birthday is coming up in September. I am SO making this chocolate cake with the coconut cream frosting! Thanks, Dana!
Can I use this to frost cupcakes or will it fall apart at room temp? Thank you :)
It will only hold up for 1-2 hours at room temperature. So be sure to leave them unfrosted until serving!
I was just making this for my baby boy’s birthday and thank goodness I saw your post! The tapioca flour absolutely saved the frosting for me because I had two dud cans!
Hello. Did it hold at room temperature for longer time? I’d love to make that frosting/whipped cream for my cupcake/cake but also wanna avoid runny frosting. Did tapioca starch help?
Thank you?
Thanks for sharing this recipe and for recommending brands.
I have a Trader Joe’s near me so now I’m looking forward to trying this :c)
This recipe was awesome, I tried several others with cashews and they didn’t taste good. Thanks
Next your queso recipe. Thanks
Is there any way to make this stay frosting-like at room temperature? I want to coat a cake with it, but I don’t want it to be too runny/liquidy. Would adding agar powder help it to set?
It unfortunately doesn’t do too well at room temperature, but chilling it does help it firm up. I’d suggest making the coconut whipped cream and then refrigerating it overnight. Frost your cake/cupcake the next day and then keep it refrigerated until serving. It will stay at room temp for a couple hours! I’ve never used agar, but that could help.
Yum! I love this option for those of us who do not tolerate dairy products. I always say that it is about having choices and this shows that you do not always have to do without. With Fall upon us and all the scrumptious baking that ensues it’s great to have this recipe in my repertoire. I feel some fluffy white coconut is in my near culinary future!
Best of luck, Cristina! Hope you love it as much as I do!
I’ve made this recipe before, and it’s so great! Our goal today was to make the whoopie pies, but our Shop Rite did not have any full fat coconut milk… so we had to figure out a different way to make this whipped cream. We used to following ingredients: 1/2 cup of cashews, 3 Tbsp of coconut butter, 2 Tbsp of coconut oil, 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, 1/2 tsp of vanilla extract – blend it all together on very low speed in your Vitamix and you’re done!! We chilled it before dolloping on our whoopie cakes (which are amazing, thank you Dana!)
Hi. I can’t wait to try these recipes. Let me ask, what is the difference between coconut oil and coconut butter? Could I substitute coconut butter or coconut oil for the canned coconut cream in the recipe above?
Thanks
They aren’t the same – you need coconut cream.
Thank you for mentioning the dud part. I thought I made the recipe wrong . Now, I realized that I had a dud can. Phew. Back to the coconut drawing board.
I make a frozen Peanut butter pie, and as an experiment turned that recipe into Coconut Cream Pie. Instead of using 16oz of Cool whip or generic whipped topping I make up 2 cans of Coconut Cream. Using 11/2 as the base then add the cream cheese, vanilla, etc. Use the remaining Fluff to top the pie with toasted Coconut once the pis has set up. It has powdered sugar, and Sweetened Condensed Milk what I call Candy Milk with Vanilla, Coconut, and a dash of Cinnamon flavors.
Toss into an XL graham cracker Pie crust and top with the leftover Coconut Fluff I mixed up before. Sprinkle in toasted Coconut and anything else that you want to add to it, does great frozen or kept in fridge for 7-10 days if left that long. It didn’t last more than a day when I made it the first time and get requests for it all the time now.
I wanted to tell everyone that just like making Meringue the whipped Coconut “fluff” is also susceptible to Salts, oils, dirty mixer, temp of Coconut Cream and the temp of the Mixer, mixing bowl, beaters, Over Beating.
A small amount of soap, or oil from something left behind can cause the Coconut cream to fail. To stop the foam from being able to take in support Air pockets/bubbles forming. I build or mix my base then put it in the refrigerator to rest before going at it to mix the “Fluff” for the final incorporation. Even letting it rest overnight so that everything is the same temperature and ready to be incorporated into Fluff.
After all most Whipped Topping is Coconut Oil, Water, Chemicals, Air, Whipped into a cream like substance then shelf stabilized until used. This is a good way to remove the “Cool Whip” or Generic Whip Topping from recipes and replace it with one of your own if you don’t want to do the Heavy Cream rout. Cornstarch is also said to help thicken the Fluff but I have never tried it since I have never had an issue with it getting this like Cool Whip when needed.
I have been trying to coming up with a mix to put into my N0x Whipped Cream Charger/Whippets using spray dried Coconut Milk and Coconut Cream to get it thick enough to come out and Whipped Cream. I have come close with a Coconut Cream that I made myself but its an ordeal to separate the Coconut oil/cream from the shredded Coconut. I slowly heat it in the slow cooker over night then process, filter through net milk bag, save in container until ready to mix into Charger. Most Coconut milk/Cream is not being separated by using the Acid method instead of simply cold pressing that might have something to do the consistency and why it does not always thicken like it should.
Hi Dana, this is amazing! Thanks!
I have a question about tapioca starch…can it be eaten raw? I mean, you suggested to put some if the coconut cream is too soft, but my question comes because tapioca starch is suppose to be high in resistant starch which is highly beneficial to feed good bacteria. 4 Tbsp of tapioca starch a day is a good dose but I can’t find anywhere if we can eat it raw or must be cooked, as raw tapioca is poisonous….do you know he answer?
Thanks again
Hi Maria, According to barryfarm.com, tapioca starch is made from raw cassava; however, cassava starch has been cooked and dried before grinding into flour. Hope this helps!
This looks quick and easy but I don’t like the taste of coconut, is there another way to make whipped cream/frosting/ice cream? Thanks a bunches!
Hi! i was wondering if all powdered sugar is vegan, i just assumed it is… Is it? Thanks Dana! :D
wow! great recipe
Like in the old days of making thick yogurt you would use a coffee filter and a strainer…can you do that process with a can of coconut milk ?
I made this recipe last night using Trader Joe’s coconut creme and it turned out beautifully and delicious! I omitted the sugar but did add a little bit of vanilla. Not sure what taste some people have complained about – it tasted like coconut Cool Whip to me! The texture reminded me just like Cool Whip which I used to love as a child! I even put a dollop in my coffee this morning!
Trader Joe’s coconut cream works best with this, agreed! My local store was out of stock for 2 months, but you better believe I squealed audibly and grabbed 6 cans when I saw it back on the shelves this week!
Hi! Rhanks for the recipe! This worked great for me but i did do a few extra steps. I put the whisks and bowl in the freezer for 15 minutes before using them. I made the cream and put it in the fridge for a few minutes but since i wasnt going to serve right away and i also needed to transport my cake (!) i lowered the fridge temp snd left the cake in there covered,, it lasted fine because it stayed cold. Mine did curdle but I ignored it and it turned out just fine on the cake. I usually dont like the taste of coconut but this was just so good!
I want to use this to make a frosting for a vegan smash cake, baby’s first birthday cake. But the mom doesn’t want added sugars. What could I use instead of powdered sugar? Agave? TJ’s Maple/Agave blend? HELP!!!!
Can you make a guide from fresh coconuts?
Can I make this, freeze it, and bring it somewhere to be used within an hour after getting it out of the freezer? Or will it keep firm enough to use after an hour out of the refrigerator? Thanks!
Thank you so much for this recipe. It is so delicious! I used Arroy-D and I think I scooped up a little bit of liquid so it wasn’t as fluffy. I added a touch of cornstarch to compensate. Hopefully I will get it right the next time…because there will be a next time ;p
I have a couple tips for the coconut cream:
1) I use a marker and write the date purchased on the lid. Store them in the fridge lid side up. Use the oldest first because it will be the most settled. i like to have them at least for a week in the fridge before use.
2) remove from the fridge and open from the bottom and pour out the liquid.
Walmart in Canada has the Savoy brand which is very good. $2.45 a can.
My favourite snack is to take a ripe banana and slice into 1/2″ rings. Put a blob of peanut butter and then a blob of coconut cream on top of each slice. I do it one at a time as I pop them in my mouth. I don’t use a plate, I keep the peel on one side of the banana as a plate and use a butter knife slice the banana and to scrape the peanut butter and coconut cream from the cans.
A can of coconut cream lasts me a couple of days. To keep it fresh I push a sandwich bag down into the empty part of the can to minimize the amount of air in the can and use a rubber band to seal the bag to the can. Put the bag over the can and then push your fingers down into the can and then put on the rubber band.
The combo of coconut cream, peanut butter and banana is something to behold. The flavour and textures don’t all hit your tongue at the same time and so there is a “ooh ahh” moment going on.
I used to remove the coconut cream from the can and place in a glass jar to keep in the fridge but I found it didn’t stay as fresh as keeping it in the can with minimal air in the can. Less mess keeping it the can too.
Enjoy and leave a can or two of coconut cream on the shelf at Walmart for me. So disappointed when the shelf is bare.
Be Blessed,
Brent
Hello
I enjoy making coconut whipped cream very much. I try to keep at least 4 cans i the fridge at all times; ready and waiting for whatever I decide to whip up.
The last couple of times I have had a problem with little chunks left no matter how long I whip it. Is there something I can do?
Blessings, Rose
Hmm, you could push the final product through a fine mesh sieve or strainer!
HI Dana,
I just made a batch and it is delicious! I am planning on serving it tomorrow. Do you have any suggestions on what to do before i serve it? Like should it stay in the fridge until the last minute and should i whip it up again before serving… You mentioned it harden the longer it sits in the fridge. Thank you!
Natalie
So simple and easy, my coconut whip cream came out perfect. I had a sprouts brand of coconut cream and left two cans in the fridge for a day and a half to insure speration. Won’t tell my family it’s vegan till after they enjoy some. Thanks Dana! The recipes I’ve tried from you(apple pie, pumpkin pie and many more)have all worked out wonderfully for my beginner baker self.
In our house we have two rules: (1) be nice to each other and (2) always trust the Minimalist Baker. This recipe, followed to the t, is perfect! Thank you!
I made this to top my pumpkin cheesecake, and it turned out quite nice! I used A Taste of Thai coconut milk and it separated nicely. I added about 3/4 cup powdered sugar, and probably a tablespoon of vanilla. The coconut flavor was a bit strong for me (not a bad thing, just not what I was going for) I also added about a tablespoon of pumpkin spice. It was delicious, and after letting it set overnight the coconut flavor was less prevalent. My goal was more of a vanilla flavor overall. (Added the pumpkin spice to better suit my cheesecake and lessen the coconut taste) Even so, it was still super yummy and easy! This was my first time successfully making a coconut whipped cream and I look forward to trying different brands and tweaking the flavors for various purposes. This recipe is definitely a great foundation for making your own coconut whipped cream and seems very fool proof for creating different flavors/variations for whatever suits your needs!
I’m trying to find a tasty Vegan “frosting” or cream type topping that will *not melt or become watery* for cupcakes that will be out at room temperature for couple hours. Will this whipped cream work for that?
Thank you.
Love this! I’m based in the UK and so use (Pride) Coconut Milk – seems to work a treat when left in the fridge for a day or two. I would also like to add there are some awesome vegan friendly quick/easy recipes and ideas to choose from, I don’t generally return to food blogs, but this one is proving irresistible!
Thank you so much for this recipe.
I wanted to use this to frost a watermelon “cake” on Christmas so I did a trial run the other day. I used a can of coconut cream from Aldi and it was separated enough to scoop the cream (gently) from the top after only 8 hours in the fridge. Didn’t whip quite at stiff as I’d envisioned at first, probably caught too much liquid from the can, but a night in the fridge really firmed it up. I used 3/4 cup of sugar and no vanilla; for the cake I think I’ll tone down the sugar, put the vanilla in to round out that subtle oily taste and since I’ve got the can resting in the fridge already hopefully it will be better separated and whip stiffer. I’m in Australia, so very much looking forward to sharing a cool refreshing take on the Christmas “fruit cake”.
I accidentally shook my can….is all lost? It has been in the fridge for 24 hours.
It might be, but just be careful to open the can cream-side up (the way you had it in the fridge). Hopefully it’s still mostly separate so you can drain off the clear liquid. Good luck!
Just leave your cans of coconut milk in the refrigerator until ready to use. Works every time.
By the way excellent cool whip!
Just leave your cans of coconut milk in the fridge “UPSIDE-DOWN'” until ready to use. Cream settles to the bottom, while liquid sits on the top.
Best cool whip substitute ever.
EXCELLENT!
Keeps in the fridge very well and tastes even better the next day or so.
Just had some on some Costco fruitcake last night which just took it too the next level!
Again without further a due an “EXCELLENT RECIPE.”
Minimalist baker you are amazing and thank you for this recipe. ?
I’m dreaming of all the vegan desserts that will go with this. Maybe some vegan pie, cake, avocado chocolate pudding. Oh yeah the sky is the limit with this one!
A winner for sure, hands down!
I think we can make our own coconut cream…. Just made something like that tonight and waiting for the outcome. Just grate your coconut using the tiniest holes on your hand held great and squeeze to get the lightly thick cream.
I just mede it and it tastes wonderfull!!!
I just made this for a party . It was perfect! So delicious and incredibly easy .
I used coconut Cream from the store SPROUTS. It worked wonderfully
Thank you so much for the recipe!
Lately, I have had trouble with Goya, the cream will be curdley, I wonder if they change cans in my store, Yes, I have place the can upside down, but, still remains a liquid. So, I came back to your web site to see if I did anything wrong. Thanks for everyone’s comments.
I add 1 1/2-2 tsp of Lucuma powder with the 1/4 cup of powdered sugar. The whipped cream tastes like absolute heaven. I wish there were more vegan dessert recipes available highlighting Lucuma. Dana you should try it!!!
Hey There,
I was hoping to make this coconut whip cream for a friends birthday. I was hoping to use it as a filling to a vegan cake recipe that I have.
How do you think this “whipped cream” would fair sandwich between layers of cake? Ideally, I would chill the whipped cream after making. Then I would apply it between the cake layers and then chill until service. Do you think this would work or would the “whipped cream” start to weep after a couple hours?
Yes, see that in action here!
I have Nutriva Coconut Oil and its in a hardened state because of the cold weather. Can I use it to make whipped cream? Or this cheesecake? I’m new to this so i don’t know the difference between the hardened part of Coconut milk and the one I have. Thanks for any information.
Anxious to try this, but coconut milk is high in saturated fat….right?
Great recipe!
Does it *require* powdered sugar? Or can it be made without sugar for creamy, non-sweetened topping?
Thanks!
Dani
Thanks for a beautiful recipe! I don’t have a mixer – any luck whipping this by hand with a fork? Or would the food processor be the next best bet?
I just tried it with a food processor and then a fork because I dont have a mixer. Didn’t work. And it separated so so so fast and depressingly I had to throw it out. Such a bummer too because it tasted amazing.
Thai Kitchen is best? Really? Gag! Chaokoh is either the same price or cheaper, authentically Thai, and you can find it most anywhere. I live in the middle of nowhere in the midwest and I find it at Meijer, so it’s not even like you need to locate an Asian market.
This gave me a belly ache so AFTER I made a whole can of it I searched “coconut milk and stomach aches” and found many entries about intolerance of fructose which I did not know about. So I had to throw almost all of it away. Check it out first. But thanks for the recipe, I had fun looking forward to the whipped cream anyway!
so this cream won’t hot up on a cake unless its refrigerated .. so on cupcakes for a kids party it sound like the cream will melt.. which is true of dairy whip cream too ..can it be used in whip cream canisters?
If you pre-make the coconut whip and then refridgerate and it sets, are you able to re-whip for re-use??
Very easy and delicious! I used this recipe to make a dairy free key lime pie. It is in the freezer now and we will see what it tastes like! The fillings was pretty good and the coconut didn’t overpower the lime. Even if it did, what is more tropical than coconuts and lime! Thank you again for you wonderful recipes
I just made this but it doesn’t taste good. Maybe it’s the coconut cream, it smelled weird when I opened it (Aroy-d).
Might try again somwtime
Mine came out with little lunps in it. It wasn’t creamy ? Could there be a reason for that?
Great instructions! Do you think this would hold up like cool whip in a Watergate Salad? Our in a refrigerator pie?
Can I ask how strong the coconut taste is after adding vanilla?
This was really good. I actually added a bit of peanut butter and my kids loved it! Definitely will use this recipe over and over.
I tried making this using coconut cream, but there are chunks. I used a can of chilled coconut cream (just the solid part) & a generous amount of powdered sugar. I whipped in KitchenAid using paddle. Should I use whisk instead?
I am wasting an awful lot of coconut milk full cream in cans trying to make this recipe. Can in fridge for weeks. Freezer for bowl and whisk.
Tried with hand whisk. Lumpy. Transferred to chilled bowl and stand mixer. Lumpy. Gave up and put in magimix. Lumpy and looked curdled.
Sooooooo, I shook the can. It had been in the fridge overnight, and hasty me decided to see if I could hear if it separated yet. Dumb. I know. Should I take it out and let it become room temp again before re-refrigerating or just leave it in there longer to make sure it separates? Sorry :/ I’m crazy. Lol just can’t wait to try it out!!!!!
I was so excited when I first saw this, then completely let down when I saw the sugar as the second ingredient. sad. A LOT of us don’t eat refined sugar, especially paleo, keto or diabetic people. why the need for sugar in this? why not stevia or some alternative?
maybe you can think about it for the future.
Hi there,
I know those full fat coconut milk cans that have the solid cream and the milk from Germany but I happen to live in Thailand and here you can’t get solid coconut cream. Even the cans that are named “coconut cream” are completely liquid and won’t turn solid in the fridge.
What can I do to still be able to get this yummm looking coconut whip? Any ideas or suggestions?
I also can’t get my hands on tapioca flour here.
Corn flour is a good substitute. :)
Healthier options instead of the powdered white sugar? Organic or not sugar is sugar… could a coconut sugar be used perhaps?
Hi, could this creme be used as filling between 3 layers of chocolate cake or will it be too thin and get all pushed out? I just whipped up a batch and put it in the fridge, I am making a naked cake for a Saturday shower and was planning to use this for filling but I am afraid it won’t hold up? Thoughts?
Dear Friends,
I know that it should be a full-fat milk, but could you let me know how much precisely the fat content should be? Because here (Eastern Europe) the coconut milk can doesn’t say that it is full fat – they just have different fat contents. Is 18g of fat per every 100g enough? I couldn’t find a bigger fat content.
Thank you so much! :)
I’m so sad, I can never make this! I’m a pretty decent baker and I’ve tried to make this 3 times now, with 6 different brands of coconut milk, going from organic to non organic. Everytime it goes right to the trash.
The fat separates just fine when left overnight in the fridge, but then it just doesn’t whip. It’s always a grainy mess. First just grainy, then chunks and liquid. Never anything close to a whipped cream or even just cream.
I’ve given up. Maybe coconut milk in Europe is just not the same as the one sold in the US.
Sounds like a product issue, not user error – so sad!
Ug – how disappointing. Six times! If your cream is separating, it means they are producing mixed batches of coconut milk ie the last of the coconut milk process which is thin milk, with a bit of the fat stuff then using an emulsifier to make it appear like creamy milk. Manufacturers do the same with Almond Milk too. In the UK, France and Australia I have on occasion come across separated milk that has kinda tiny lumps in it. So I switched to buying only from reputable Asian supermarkets and they are always great. Hope you find the right one soon. Vegan life is not the same without ripe bananas covered in coconut whip. :) Good luck. xx
Can I use this to frost a vegan vanilla cake?
Hi Kathy, not sure if you have tried this or not, but you can make vegan frosting with a load of powdered sugar and then added little bits of coconut milk or even almond milk and whisk until the right consistency is achieved. The higher the fat content, the more frosty like it seems to be. Coconut cream would be a better option for a really luscious topping. I always add real vanilla beans too – its very hard to not eat it from the bowl!!!! Good luck, x
Sure! It will melt if out in the heat, but in the fridge it holds up well!
Hi I am trying to make coconut whipped cream using full fat Native Forest brand coconut milk. The whipped cream came out lumpy and grainy. How can I get rid of the lumps ?
Also this has been happening to me a lot lately. Any suggestions on how to prevent it from happening.
Appreciate feedback. Thanks.
I don’t have a hand-held mixer. Can I beat this using my food processor’s meringue disc?
Perhaps! If you give it a try, let me know how it goes!
Mine keeps coming out lumpy or kind of grainy. I first thought it was the powdered sugar, but it happens still when I sift it in. Any thoughts on what I may be doing wrong? I keep the coconut milk in the refrigerator all the time. Is it possible this is happening from chilling it too long, maybe?
Hi, ive made this many times and its so delish! I just have a question; id like to use the coconut cream to fill cupcakes. Would the cream be ok to leave at room temperature for about 2 days in the cupcakes?
no. becuz of the coconut cream, u must refrigerate ur cupcakes asap. cocinut cream/milk tends to go bad fast if not refrigerated ?
Great recipe. Thanks much. But I do not have a mixer. Can you suggest a good mixer for whipping cream?
Thanks much,
Megha
Will this hold up if I use it to frost a cake?
For those overachievers who think they can make this better by doing more work, I want to share that I beat mine for much longer than advised and it was a very bad idea! It went from fluffy to runny. It’s in the fridge now, so hopefully I can save it!
You can also add some cream cheese into it to help stabilize it so it doesn’t go flat. Also adding a packet of unflavored gelatin helps keep it together.
lol. I *always* forget that vegan does not = healthy. I’m trying to find a vegan, sugar-free recipe. Perhaps sweetened with date sugar, stevia, honey powder, etc.?
White stevia powder (such as Stevia in the Raw) should work in this.
Add to taste.
I’ve recently had good results with coconut sugar. It dissolved nicely, the only drawback is that it will turn your white coconut cream brown.
Does this have to be sweetened? I’m from the UK and our whipped cream is not sweet. Wondered if just whisking the coconut cream with (perhaps?) a little coconut oil might do the trick?
Anyway, I will try, then let you know – for anyone else out there who likes their desserts less sickly sweet. Thanks again for wonderful recipes!
I never mix mine with sugar, the coconut flavour itself is divine enough for me!
Adding coconut oil into the coconut cream would probably prevent it from whipping up light and fluffy like cream does. Adding powdered sugar helps to hold it together to become stabilized because of the corn starch but unflavored gelatin can also do that as well as in stabilized whipped cream.
Mary, for an unsweetened variant you could use coconut flour – you can find it in the whole foods or other organic stores, it is pretty pricey though. Another way around it is to make your own – which is not too hard – you take shredded coconut and let it run in your blender/food processor and just sift it through and use that to firm the cream up. I am also not a big fan of sweetened whipped cream.
Anyone tried Xylitol yet? I’m guessing it wouldn’t melt fast enough and then a person would have runny cream instead of whipped cream. Coconut cream is so healthy I could not add sugar to it, just seems so wrong. lol.
Hello, I have a question about making coconut whipped cream. I’ve chilled some cans of coconut milk in the fridge and have the solid layer on top when they are opened. My question is whether this is the same as coconut oil, as it looks very similar (hard, flaky and translucent). Is this the part I should be using to make whipped cream and if so why not just use pure coconut oil? Or is the cream something different? Thanks, Pete.
The coconut cream should be opaque and white. Anything else should be discarded!
Thanks Dana, I found the cream under the layer of oil.
The thick layer at the top of a chilled coconut milk can is coconut, which is what you should be using to make coconut whipped cream. Coconut oil is something else; just pure oil, and cannot be used to make coconut whipped cream. :)
Thanks Lisa, I’ve found the cream, it was underneath the layer of solidified oil. I think it wasn’t cold enough to separate from the milk before.
Has anyone tried it with a liquid sweetener, like honey or maple syrup?
You can, but it can deflate the coconut whip and weigh it down…I’d recommend stevia before liquid sweeteners.
What is different about canned coconut cream in the US compared to the UK? That picture of Trader Joes looks thick, creamy and white. I refrigerated a can of Biona coconut milk and what separates out is water and rock hard dry coconut ‘cream’ that I had to chip apart with a spoon before i could whisk it. When I did whisk it it didn’t get thick and didn’t take very long to just separate into what looked like sloppy porridge, lol. I’ve put it back into the fridge to see if I can save it.
Zoe! You should look for coconut cream can, not coconut milk.
Hey Zoe, I also tried it with Biona – twice – and it simply didn’t work. However, I have also done it with Pride Coconut Milk (available at Sainsbury’s) and it worked like a dream. Unfortunately, that one has some additives – not sure if that has anything to do with why it worked! My results here: https://www.instagram.com/p/BJfmwpXA4o5/?taken-by=vicki_forde
Good luck :)
Hi..
Looking for a vegan whipping cream and found this. What about its taste. Need a vanilla flavoured whipping cream. Will it taste like coconut even after adding vanilla. Pls reply ASAP.
Thanks in advance
I don’t have tapioca starch. Do you think coconut flour would work to thicken up the coconut whipped cream?
Hmm, I think it would be too gritty unfortunately. Maybe arrowroot or cornstarch?
Since the solid used from the coconut cream/milk is the “coconut”, is it possible to whip up the flesh of fresh coconut?
Has anyone tried using gelatin to stabilize this as you would with whipped cream? Thanks!
But gelatin would defeat the purpose of a “vegan” cake?!
Agar powder (I use Now Foods brand) works very well as a stabilizer. To use it, just sprinkle a teaspoon on top of the coconut cream and whip.
Thanks so much! I used gelatin (not concerned about the vegan, just avoiding eggs for an allergy) and it worked great. Will def try agar agar sometime too! Thx!
I do when I want the whipped cream to be stabilized. I would much rather do that than using that foul Cool-Whip man made topping.
Any suggestions if i wanted to use these to frost cupcakes? Do I have to frost the day of or can I from the night before and put them all in the fridge? Would this make them too hard or would the frosting even hold up?
I think you’ll have better results if you frost the cupcakes the day of and serve immediately!
I was thinking to whip the unsweetened coconut and add sweetened coconut. DO you think it would stick to the cake?
Hi! I was wondering if someone with whom this succeeded could tell me what the fat content was of their coconut milk. Mine was 17.8g per 100g. It was really watery when I was mixing it just now, this might be due to the fact that it did not separate into two perfect phases because the can got shaken on the way home from the supermarket. I hope it will firm up in the fridge!
If your trying to whip up coconut milk it won’t work. You have to find coconut cream which contains much more fat about 34.68 grams to 100 gram content in order to do so.
I see someone suggested using Xylitol, I am not sure how this would work but would suggest caution if using in a household where dogs are present, this substance can be deadly to some dogs and we all know what thieves they can be when it comes to forbidden food!
Hi! Would I be able to use this to frost a layered cake? Or would it be too soft?
Hi Irina, check out previous comments for help with this! Specifically, one reader, Matthew, had asked the same question! Also, check out this recipe for tips on using coconut whipped cream in layered cakes!
You can also use honey or agave for sweetener instead of the powdered sugar.
Can you sub maple syrup for the sugar?
I am trying to eat sugar free…
Hello!!!
Thank you sooooo much for your blog! We are just getting our vegan feet “wet” and your site is absolutely perfect! Full of super simple, great tasting recipes!! Heading in to the kitchen to get this whipped “cream” going for Canadian Thanksgiving!!
Blessings!!!
Xoxo
Sherry
My wife loves coconut and whipped cream so I think I’ll make this for her birthday next month.
What does coconut whipped cream taste like compared to regular whipped cream?
Does it taste at all similar?
It’s similar, but has a coconut undertone. I love it!
I made this whipped cream yesterday to receive my non-vegan family and to show them how tasteful vegan meals can be. Everyone loved the coconut cream, it is so delicious!! Next time I’ll try with another sweetener, such as agave syrup of maple syrup, as I don’t normally use refined sugar. Thanks!
Can I get this effect if I stir or whip by hand? I don’t have an electric mixer…
You can whisk it, it just takes longer and it doesn’t get as fluffy in my opinion.
I want to replace Cool Whip. What can I use instead of the coconut cream? Perhaps, something like Sweetened condensed Milk? I don’t always want coconut flavor in my chocolate cake.
Hmm, I don’t know if you can sub anything for the coconut!
Could this be used as a vegan mascarpone? Or is it not thick enough?
I’m experimenting withdifferent takes on the traditional tiramisú, so I’ve managed to swap everything and now I’m down to “how do I swap the mascarpone?” and I’m lost :p
Hmm, maybe? I’d suggest also whipping in some vegan cream cheese – that should help.
Ah good idea!! Will try and see what happens :) thanks!
if i want to use it for cake filling or frosting and decorating do i need to use gelatin or cornstarch or sth to stabilise it like norma whipped cream or coconut makes it thick enough?thanks
Hi there! You could definitely try stabilizing it with some cream of tartar. I haven’t tried that but am guessing it might work.
oh thanks for the quick reply.i made it 2days ago with powdered sugar i made in coffee grinder.i let it in the fridge and i noticed it eleased only a tiny amount of water these 2 days.i quess coconut is more thick than dairy cream or sth?so maybe it doesnt need a stabiliser?i dont know.i piped the whipped coconut in muffins and it was thick and amasing.but it didnt “stick” to the muffin top.i mean when i turned it to the side it fell all together.maybe i should leave the whipped coconut to get in room temperature first or its sth else wrong?i dont want quests to hold th emuffins and move it alittle and the whole frosting comes off..hahaha.
Hi Dana,
I’m hoping to make some of this to dollop on top of your peppermint brownies for Christmas this year! I was just wondering how far in advance I can prepare the whipped “cream”? Could I do it earlier in the day or even a day before?
Also, I can’t believe I’ve never commented on one of your recipes before! I wanted to say thank you because your blog has been such an amazing resource and helped me transition into veganism with relative ease.
Thank you so much!
Aidan
It stays for up to 1 week!
Love this recipe. I used 2/3rds cup of powdered sugar, and 2 Tablespoons of Tapioca flour. Was great, it tasted great, was stiff enough to hold . I give it 5 stars…pretty healthy, dairy free, gluten free…and tastes great at the same time. That does not happen often. Oh…nut products free also!! I did have more luck with the full original fat than the light for making whipped cream. I am so glad to find this recipe!!
Dana – I just found your block and tried this. It worked like a dream. Thank you for taking the time to share it with us!
ChristineV
I used Thai Kitchen coconut cream and it came out lumpy. The more I beat it, the lumpier it gets.
do you have a cashew whipped topping recipe? The saturated fats in coconut milk is not compatible for a heart heathy diet.
Looking at the vegan cheesecake recipe you have quick soaked cashews, Doesnt the boiling water destroy tbeneficial nutrients in the cashews? would long soaked cashews get soft enough to make the recipe?
Thank You
The Helpful Hostess
You say “use organic to ensure vegan friendliness” and I’m wondering what you mean by that? Does non-organic make it not vegan?
Hi! Bone char is widely used by the sugar industry as a decolorizing filter, which allows sugar to achieve its white color. In organic powdered sugar, they do not use this process which means it is vegan! Hope this helps!
Oh, wow, I had no idea! Thanks!
This is so good, I can’t help but eat it by the spoonful! I literally just keep it in my fridge for when I get a craving for dessert… I LOVE homemade whipped cream and this replaces it perfectly.
I’ve made this several times without issue, but last night I had an epic failure. I chilled my can if Native Forest coconut milk and removed the cream as usual. When I tried to whip the cream it became flaky, dry, and looked waxy. I tried adding a teaspoon of coconut water, but when I tied to whip it again it looked almost curdled and super wet. I added powdered sugar to see if I could correct for any damage that I may have done when I added the water, but nothing worked. I placed the whole mess in a fine sieve—to see if letting the water drain would help–and put it in the refrigerator for a few hours. All the water I had put in did drain out, so I tried whipping again – no luck. I got mad and we just ate it like that, but the weird thing was that it was gritty! I decided to look at thetnot of cream stuck in the sieve and when I ran water through it I saw there were all these little bits of coconut – some even looked brown like they were close to the shell. I’ve always had good luck using Native Forest to make whipped cream and yogurt, but I guess this can was a dud.
I am sorry to hear that Amanda! Better luck with your next can!
Help! I’m trying to make this and my coconut whipped cream has the consistency of butter. There’s nothing light and fluffy about it. Any suggestions own to save it. It feels like I’m trying to whip coconut oil. I’m using trader joes coconut cream and I only used the solid portion.
I am not sure about refrigerating the coconut cream, as now it it is rock hard. There are giant lumps of solid coconut milk that my mixer is just flinging around – and the consistency of the remaining coconut cream is lumpy as well. I’ve tried slicing the coconut cream into smaller pieces, but this still looks pretty rough. And there’s definitely no ‘whipped’ consistency.
What am I missing, internet?!
I was looking to test this for a while and it’s so good, Omg! ?
I used Spiceup! coconut cream in a can (I’m from Europe) and it worked perfectly. I had it stored in the fridge for about a week, so it was thoroughly chilled and the whole thing was essentially a solid lump (like pics) with no excess liquid. I also used vanilla powdered sugar which was great.
Super!
Do u have a recipe for if u make ur own cocanut milk? I tried using less water in the mulk (but im also having issues getting it to puree). I ended up making a sweetened shredded cocanut coating lol.
I have tried this with at least 10 different cans of coconut milk and cream and different brands and mine WILL NOT whip. Will not cannot. I make it exactly like all the recipes say. I refrigerate. I get it without additives I’ve whipped for a short amount of time I’ve whipped it for as long as 20 min and nothing. I cannot be doing something wrong I don’t feel like. I separate the milk I chill my bowl and it always looks like cottage cheese. Someone tell me what’s up
I am having the exact same experience, i used the full fat Trader Joe’s organic coconut cream did everything as instructed and it comes out curdled like cottage cheese another time it just separated into small balls,the more I whipped, the more it separated. I’m thinking it has something to do with the coconut cream starting out rock hard out of the can versus thick and creamy like in the pictures, maybe my fries is too cold? Complete fail, I’m so disappointed as I thought I had something for my daughter who is allergic to dairy.
We tried this last week and loved it! We had a dud can of full fat coconut milk, but luckily had another can already in the fridge that came to save the day. We loved this on top of pancakes, added to soy yogurt (to make it fluffier) or just on strawberries. Yet another winner!
Made this coconut cream to top a cake this past weekend. It was so good I may do this instead of real whipped cream! My husband is lactose intolerant and this really hit the spot for him!
How did it stay out at room temp? Did u find that it melted at all?
My favorite is Native Forest… get it from Vitacost! Great products and great prices! Free shipping when you buy $49 or more.
I have been making this recipe for a couple of months. The brand from Trader Joes’s pictured in the write up, with the brown label, worked really well (except for the occasional dud can). However, Trader Joe’s recently changed their version of coconut cream (now with a blue label). They took out the guar gum emulsifier additive, and now it won’t blend at all, looks just like a watery cottage cheese. I’ve found that to even get anything that remotely resembles whipped cream, you really need the guar gum ingredient. I’ve tried several brands and I can’t find one that works as or tastes as good as the old Trader Joe’s version. Thai Kitchen is close, but it’s thicker and not quite as light and whippy, and doesn’t taste quite as good. If anyone has any brand recommendations, let me know.
Once it is refrigerated, how do I soften it to use it?
Hi Lisa! Even refrigerated, you’ll find that it still maintains a soft consistency. Hope this helps!
Dana,
Now that Trader Joe’s has changed their Coconut Cream, more healthy ingredient list for sure, but it sure doesn’t whip up into the nice coconut whipped cream like it used to.
Have you switched to the Thai brand or have you found a way—maybe added another ingredient??, to make the TJ brand work?
I made this with Organic Thai coconut cream. I refrigerated it for 12 hrs. It turned out a little clumpy but tasted great. I omitted the powdered sugar and used honey and vanilla paste for a little flavor.
Can I use coconut sugar or honey instead of the powdered sugar?
Hi Julia! Not sure about coconut sugar…I would blend it into a powder if I were you. Best of luck!
I tried this, but mine ended up with liquid underneath a chunky layer of “cream”. Did I just have too much of the liquid and over-churn it (like making butter from heavy cream)?
How are us vegans supposed to survive now that Trader Joe’s changed their coconut cream?! The new stuff pales in comparison to the old tried and true!!! Ugh :(
Right? So frustrating.
This is a breakthrough for us since we aren’t eating dairy or sugar. We use Stevia because it does not affect the glycemic index. I halved the amount of Stevia and “powdered” it using a clean coffee grinder. I also used the vanilla. Sitting overnight in the fridge the “whipped cream” took on more of a frozen Cool Whip consistency. We used it on strawberry pie, and the strawberries cut the coconut flavor. This will be our go-to whipped cream from now on!
Hello! About how much cream do you get from one can of chilled coconut milk? I need a cup of the cream, and am unsure that just one can will yield that amount. Thank you!
Hi Abby! You’ll get about 2.5 cups!
Has anyone tried freezing this whipped cream? Is it still good for use if you do so?
Has anyone tried this with a food processor or mini chopper with whipping disk? Does it work? I do not have a handmixer unfortunately.
Sainsbury’s own brand very creamy.
I was just wondering if the sugar was needed for this recipe to work? I’m interested in trying it, but don’t want to add sugar.
Thanks :)
I think you can leave it out, Valerie!
This was amazing – I used refrigerated coconut cream to whip with sugar, then iced a two layer chocolate cake. For the middle layer, I mixed some of the coconut cream with cream cheese to firm it up a bit. After putting the cake together, I chilled it for an hour, then it held firm at room temperature for a few hours (probably could’ve gone longer, but it all got eaten).
Hey there! So glad I found this recipe, it looks super easy! I’m going to be making this to top cupcakes and wonder if piping it would be best freshly made or refrigerated over night. Also how well will it hold up left at room temp for about 2 hours? I’m worried the fat will start to melt and it won’t hold its whipped cream shape?! Please help ❤️
Hi! Refrigerating it overnight before piping would be best. It unfortunately doesn’t do too well at room temperature, 2hrs would probably be the longest it would be able to keep!
Thank you so much! I did a test run and ur totally right. However it was super delicious and I put it on top of baked apples. I’ll go for a vegan buttercream instead for the cupcakes ?
Do you have to use powdered sugar?
Hi! You can take cane sugar and whirl it into powder in a spice or coffee grinder.
Mae Plao and Chaokoh are excellent coconut milk choices. Great flavor and thick cream on top. Mae Plao has a little more cream on top than Chaokoh. Always my top two choices. Can sometimes find in your regular grocery store or an Asian market for sure.
Really excited to try this!! Do you think creamed coconut might actually work better than coconut cream?
Hi Everyone!
I just have to say that this stream of comments is one of the most Delightful things I’ve ever read…
Linda
Hi – I have tried several times to whip coconut cream. I am using the Trader Joes brand. I refrig
over night, chill the beaters but when I am beating it stays looking like fine curb cottage cheese. Wonder what I am doing wrong?? Love your website btw. :>))
Hi Kris! Hmm, the only thing I could think of is the type of coconut milk you are using?
Just saw this in an April comment. that’s my problem. I’m using TJs.
**The brand from Trader Joes’s pictured in the write up, with the brown label, worked really well (except for the occasional dud can). However, Trader Joe’s recently changed their version of coconut cream (now with a blue label). They took out the guar gum emulsifier additive, and now it won’t blend at all, looks just like a watery cottage cheese.**
Hi Dana – I need some help please! Things went wrong after we scooped the hard white bit from the can into the chilled mixing bowl. When we mixed it with an electric hand whisk it became all crumbly and looked more like cottage cheese. We mixed some more, tried a hand whisk, added the vanilla and sugar, watched videos about how to do it. But nothing helped, we couldn’t see what we’d done wrong. Can you help? We would really appreciate any advice.
This happened to me too. I used TJS brand which I just read doesn’t usually need to be chilled, but it had been in the fridge for several days. I wonder if it got too hard?
I made these today and they came out absolutely amazing! I let the bars chill for about 5 1/2 hours and chilled the coconut cream for about 24 hours. The brand I used was Natural Value pure coconut cream 20-22% milk fat. It chilled really well. Dana, thank you SO MUCH for posting all of your incredible recipes, I use them as a guide almost every single day and this one is definitely in my top 10!
Has anyone tried using anything other than powdered sugar? I feel like I’m adding A LOT of sugar to this with not wanting that much. But I’m not sure if it’s possible.
I want to make this as a topping for your pumpkin cheesecake. Can I put the whipped cream on the cheesecake and put it back in the freezer and defrost it for 15 mins before serving? Or will that ruin the texture of the whipped cream?
Can you make this without the sugar?
Hi Melody! Yes you can!
I made this, and I found that it tastes great in my coffee! I also put it on sliced canned pineapple for a quick not-so-unhealthy dessert. I will try it on pie, but I don’t think this batch will last long because I keep eating it by the spoonful. Thanks!
Are there any coconut products that state that no animals were abused to harvest them? This is of concern to me
I have seen this done but Unfortunately Trader Joe’s doesn’t have their coconut cream in the brownish can which I used in tons of recipes. Now they have only organic cream of coconut and other organic coconut milk in cans. I probably shouldn’t have refrigerated it because it didn’t whip at all. But your note is very helpful. I should have read it first and then I would have bought a different brand. Thank you for your recipes.
Hi Dana!
I made this last year and it was awesome so I should have remembered BUT I forgot to put the coconut cream in the fridge….I don’t need this until tomorrow. Is it okay to let the pumpkin roll hang out until tomorrow and frost it then? Should I just cover it and leave it out on the counter?
Hi Abby! That should work but I would put it in the fridge instead of the counter!
Dana,
HELP! Have you found a brand that whips up nicely like the old Trader Joe’s brown can? All my attempts have failed and it used to be so easy!
This was a total FAIL for me. I used Trader Joe’s cream, chilled in fridge. It came out so hard that it literally would not make cream I whipped it for over 10 minutes and it’s just like flaky coconut
There is a small group of people on this thread who KNOW real coconut milk/cream and they keep trying to assert this. There is only one brand, the Thai « Aroyo-D ». It’s 100% coconut, nothing else. This is what top chefs use. We turned to Aroyo-D ONLINE , free shipping from Amazon, after combing the local grocery stores and finding only weird US diluted crap filled with gums and additives (if it’s filled with additives, it tastes less and less like coconut. Just like ice cream, most of what’s out there is crap filled with gums and gets in the way of the real cream flavor). Just go to the source and get the real stuff. This ACTUALLY TASTES LIKE COCONUT, TOO! Buy the multipacks which come in the smaller boxes because dealing with such a high fat product is really messy. It has no additives or guar gums, but geez, all you need to do is give it one shake and poof it’s whipped up. You could whip this with a fork. I wouldn’t bother with organic, either, as most coconut trees do not get sprayed with pesticides. I don’t know what all this fuss in on this thread about testing cans and separating them, either. Wasted nervous energy. It’s a non issue if you stick with pure undiluted product to begin with. If you have never had Aroyo-D before, you are in for a treat. Try it with your morning coffee and you will be in heaven. I am always surprised Starbucks hasn’t discovered this yet, as far as I can tell.
Also try just whipping it at room temperature. Then you’re not fighting the fat globs.
I’m new to making coconut whipped cream, and I tried to follow your directions using Trader Joe’s Organic Coconut Cream. However, after I removed the can from the fridge and separated the hardened cream from the liquid, and whipped only the hardened cream with the other ingredients called for, I found it was so hard, it wouldn’t whip at all. I couldn’t even break it up with the beater, let alone whip it. Maybe the answer is staring me in the face, but can you tell me what I did wrong? Thank you!
Is it also possible to substitute the icing sugar with something else?
Hi will it work if I use real coconut milk ?
Yes, that is what we use
Sorry my question wasn’t asked the right way, what I wanted to say is that here I live we don’t have any of the brands mentionned in canned coconut milk when only have fresh coconut milk sold at the market.
Will it come out the same as the canned coconut milk ?
Hi Dana! Did you or anybody else tried this recipe with stevia powder instead of normal sugar?
Hi! We haven’t tried it, but it should work!
Thanks for being easily the most helpful cooking blog, Dana! The first few Google suggested just said to put coconut milk in the fridge so the coconut cream solidifies then pour the milk out (for using in smoothies etc ! Ha! But what if I want to use the entire volume of the can for my dessert? After I read your info, I confirmed it with this very useful website, which totally supports what you found ie that tapioca starch will work nicely! I should have thought of this myself because my Malaysian dad used to add tapioca starch to a variety of recipes when I was a kid all the time lol :) LOVE YOUR WORK, GIRLFRIEND <3
Update!!!! Trader Joe’s has a new coconut cream different than past years. Can is blue, and source of coconuts is Sri Lanka. It tastes amazing!! Tastes like ripe coconut. Not at all greasy. No thickener.
I put in fridge and opened two holes at the bottom of can to release liquid, peeled the top off, and cream was hard! Hit with a torch, and whipped up great! They must have seen the feedback and decided to make a change!
Also: I ordered some Native Forest cream and milk. The cream had guar gum in it, and that single additive prevents cream from taking on air. Using it for coffee, as it is smooth.
Need to get the Arroy D to try. But seriously: give Trader Joe’s another chance! Blue can = amazing!!!!
Hi Dana. I’ve had a problem with this. I buy the full-fat coconut cream from Trader Joe’s and it still separates in the fridge. Is this supposed to happen? If so, do you use the whole can, including the liquid part, when you whip the cream? I’ve tried it both ways. When I dump out the liquid and beat the rest up, the cream is too stiff. But when I whip it with the liquid, it separates. What the heck am I doing wrong? Thanks for your help!
Hey nice recipe i need urgent advice for makin this as I’ll be making this hopefully tomorrow…. Can I whip by hand or with a fork because I’ve not got an electric whisk
You can do it by hand, it just takes longer!
Having recently visited a coconut plantation in Thailand, I may be able to shed a light on the problem many of us are having. Coconut milk is a processed product, though minimally so. Raw coconuts consist of coconut water which is very thin and almost clear, and coconut meat. The meat and water are mixed in various ratios to make coconut “milk” and coconut “cream.” There appears to be no standard for this as products vary widely from brand to brand.
Many have suggested using a stabilizer such as agar or guar gums, gelatin or using a starch such as tapioca. Perhaps this will resolve the problem, if you like me, have had many consistent fails!
One option to save the fail is to throw the whole mix in a powerful blender such as a vitamix. Blend for a few minutes until it separates into a cheese like substance and a watery substance. The water is coconut water which can be used in smoothies and the cheese looks like ricotta cheese and can be flavored or used as a thicker (although ugly) cream.
I just did a trial run for my daughter’s birthday and totally failed. It never got smooth. Just looked curdled. I used Trader Joe’s full fat coconut milk, as they didn’t have any cream. It was rock hard when I pulled it out of the fridge. Is this what went wrong?
Hi Nicolle! We’re sorry you didn’t have great luck with this recipe. Trader Joe’s coconut cream generally does not need to be refrigerated because it’s already quite firm and refrigerating makes the coconut cream rock hard. I’d recommend scanning through the recipe comments for tips! We’ve recently been using Native Forest Full Fat Coconut Milk as Trader Joe’s has changed their formulation. Good luck!
The first time I made this it was AWESOME!!! Friends and family raves at thanksgiving. Who needs traditional whipped cream!?!
Since then I’ve tried to make it several times and failed. My cream keeps separating. I’m using TJs brand. I’ve tried it in the fridge and room temp with the same result. I can whip it to death and yet it never combines. I searched through the comments but didn’t find a similar situation. I tried the trick with a few tbsps of tapioca but it didn’t work for me. What am I doing wrong? Help me!!! ??
Hi Sarah! It seems as though others have been having issues with TJs brand as well. Maybe the formulation has changed? That would explain why you had success your first time, and then problems after that! We are really liking Native Forest Full Fat Coconut Milk and have had success with it!
Thank you so much for this recipe! I’m just finishing up my 2nd Whole30, I kind of want my desserts back but NOT my dairy! I have found that the organic coconut milk (in cans) from Costco is pretty much always separated. I love it. Great price too. Looking forward to trying this out :-)
Can i substitute sugar with agave syrup?
We haven’t tried and can’t say for sure, but if you experiment with it, report back! Good luck!
If I wanted to avoid refined sugar, what could I use instead? Thank you!
Stevia, liquid stevia, a little maple syrup, or you could also blend coconut sugar in a blender to make it “powdered” sugar.
Hi!
I have the following question: is it possible to make coconut whipped cream with homemade coconut milk? I wonder if I used less water and made a very thick milk (maybe even using fresh coconut meat instead of shredded coconut), would that work? Because believe or not, in my country we don’t have canned coconut milk available and the ones sold in jars are disgusting, so full of preservatives…
Thanks a lot!
Hi Lena! We haven’t tried and can’t say for sure but if you experiment with it, report back on how it goes!
Just curious if you ever tried substituting the powdered sugar with ground coconut sugar (ground till turns to powder)?
Hi Brandy! We haven’t tried, but if you do, report back on how it goes. Good luck!
This really works! Used 3 cans of WF full fat coconut milk. One I put in the freezer, two in the fridge – the freezer one was the only one where the fat really solidified. I still used the liquidy fat on the top of the other two cans expecting it not to whip up, but it did! No tapioca flour needed.
I will definitely try this recipe. I intend to use it on a pineapple upside down cake to make it a kinda pinacolada cake.
I don’t think coconuts are necessarily from Peru alone. I come from Ghana and coconut is everywhere, from along the coast to the forest region. Coconut oil and palm oil are the only oil used before the arrival of the Europeans. Coconut is a tropical plant so wherever the sun is year round, there’s coconut. Unfortunately researchers from the past assume certain plants originates from where they first saw it.
I love this recipe so much! The only thing that is not my favorite is the density the final product has… does anyone have any tips on how to make it lighter and fluffier?
Hi! I used Let’s Go Organic heavy cream and refrigerated it overnight but found the result very liquidy. Is that normal? I was expecting something thicker unless that’ll come after being refrigerated a few days? I needed to use it in a pie and had to use it right away. Could the speed I beated it at have something to do with with I.e. too fast?
Sorry typo! The brand is Let’s Do Organic!
We aren’t familiar with that brand and can’t say for sure, Jackie! For the best success, we have found that Whole Foods 365 Full Fat brand works best.
Thanks, I will try to find it online ;)
Hello! Thanks for your great site. We attempted your coconut whipped cream recipe a few times with an ISI whipper… and each time ended up with clumps that clogged the valve and prevented proper foaming/dispensing. (This has happened with other coconut-milk based recipes, too.) It seems to be something about the coconut milk. We’ve been using a natural product without guar gum, chilled first in the fridge. Have you experienced this problem? Have you solved it by using only the liquid, instead of the solids as the recipe suggests, or mixing up the liquids/solids, or…? Thanks for your help!
We have seen that problem as well! See the comments above for tips.
Hi Dana,
I’m looking for a good whipped cream recipe to frost and decorate a birthday cake. I must admit, I attempted the coconut milk thingy once before: wrong brand, total disaster.
Lately, I’ve been using a nice organic brand which has 70% coconut and 30% water, I make really good curries with it!
My question is, every time I open the can, it’s already separated and, if I chill some that’s leftover, it just becomes stone hard.
So, shoul I attempt this recipe without chilling it? And, as I’ll be frosting the cake in advance, will the whole frosting become really hard or the sugar will kind of prevent that?
Thanks!
Worked awesome! I only chilled can for 5-10 minutes in freezer but it still worked. I used Thai Kitchen Organic Coconut Milk from Costco. This will be my new go-to whipped cream for dessert; even Daddy and Grandpa liked it!